> > > CUSTOM ORDERS < < <

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

> Custom Orders <

Presentation to be followed by a team member discussion.

It is easy to post you make Custom Orders. Doing this well requires much more planning. I will be sharing with you many sources on this topic along with some questions to consider too.

I would suggest reviewing this a post at a time. Then thinking how you might best implement this in your shop.

CUSTOM --- how much custom will be just right for your shop?

I believe it is essential to set boundaries on your custom products your will offer.

Start limited then only add what you feel comfortable in doing.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Perhaps, before we start, maybe our Custom Orders should have 2 or more sub-sections?

We at present can have 10 shop sections.

I recommend having a limited size shop section I call:

ON SALE ~ Today's Deals

No more than 3 rows of deeply discounted popular listings here.

Following this a shop section called:

CUSTOM ORDERS ~ Have It Your Way

No more than 3 rows of listings each with a separate custom or plan/process.

3 rows = 9 or 12 listings - depending on look or new look?

Other 8 shop sections by product area.

Let's star my presentation of source material on this topic of Custom Orders.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

> Why offer Custom Orders? <

Custom = Special

Special service for your shoppers makes your shoppers feel special, and should help you feel special too!

When someone treats you special it makes a person feel really good and tell others.

"Tell a friend" is your best promotion."

Now custom need to be good for both the buyer and the seller.

Custom means going outside of the box, yet still staying within a box.

EXAMPLE

I make pendants.

Almost all of my pendants are custom made to order.

Variations are the first step in customization.

May I recommend starting with variations?

My variation #1 --- without a matching chain or with a matching chain.

My variation #2 --- your choice from 6 pendant tray finishes.

And, on my of my listings you also have the choice of 2 sizes of pendants:

The most popular 1 inch size or the petite 3/4 inch size.

And, on special custom orders you can choose from "round" or "square" shapes.

On extra special custom orders I can create special artwork designs within limitations.

Buyers and provide me with their photo or order to work with --- this work can be a little to substantial.

A good photo has 300 dots or pixels per square inch, some each tiny part of each pixel must be enhanced.

So custom can range from variations to a mini-masterpiece.

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I will be sharing various sources of information in the dats ahead. By thinking carefully through you can pick a style of custom orders just right for you. Enjoy!

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

First, let's please see what Etsy Help has to offer to help us:

How do I offer custom items with private listings in my shop?

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3923

~ Key Questions are: What will my buyer see? - How do my buyer and I complete the order? - How is this different from Listing Variations?

What are my options for listing custom, personalized items in my shop?

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/265?ref=help_search_result

Key options: If you'd like to create private, custom listings based on buyer requests, you can enable the Request Custom Order tool.

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3923

How do I request a custom item?

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/2133?ref=help_search_result

~ Key Questions are: Discuss the length of time it will take to make the item. Is this a gift or an item you wish to wear on a special occasion? - If you need this created more quickly than the seller’s usual processing time, will this cost extra?

How do I offer different choices within one listing? What are Listing Variations?

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3385

This should get you started on this listing process.

By the way I changed my shop section to read:

"CUSTOM ORDERS & REQUESTS" and mine is a current work in progress to make it the best it can be.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy Teams about Custom Orders

https://www.etsy.com/teams/search/?search_query=Custom+Orders&sort=relevancy&search_type=teams&page=...

More on this special topic.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Top Tips for Managing Custom Orders
Story by Jaime DeLanghe

https://blog.etsy.com/en/2013/top-tips-for-managing-custom-orders/

1. Listen to Your Customer. Really Listen.
2. Understand What You’re Capable of
3. Know What You’re Worth — And Charge for It
4. Bring Your Buyer on Board
5. Make Your Items Distinctly Yours
6. Learn From Experience

Keep in mind 1 of the 7 habits of highly effective people is to seek first to understand. The buyer might have a mind picture of what she or he wants, yet seeing the same mind picture can be a challenge. Another of the 7 habits of highly effective people is to begin with the end in mind. Thus, it is absolutely essential to come to a clear understanding of what the buyer wants and what you can delivery.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Not to infere anyone is a dummy, yet I have found these books well organized and helpful for covering the different aspects of the topic.

How to Offer Custom Items in Your Etsy Store

By Kate Gatski and Kate Shoup from Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies, 2nd Edition

As an Etsy seller, you can accept requests for custom orders. To let buyers know that you're open to their ideas, you can add a Request Custom Item link to your shop's main page. When a buyer clicks this link, Etsy launches a convo (or online conversation) between the two of you.

In the future, the Request Custom Item link may instead appear on the listing page for each product in your shop; as of this writing, however, that is not the case.

To add a Request Custom Item link to your shop's main page, follow these steps:

1. Click the Your Shop link along the top of any Etsy page.

2. On the left side of the page, click the Options link under Shop Settings. The Shop Options page appears.

3. Under Request Custom Item, click the Enabled option button.

4. Click the Save button. The Request Custom Item link will appear on your shop's main page.


In addition to accepting requests for custom orders, you can also post custom listings. With custom listings, buyers can customize certain aspects of the item for sale — say, choosing the color or size, or personalizing it in some way. You can offer the buyer certain choices by using the Variations settings, available when you create a listing. Or, you can prompt your buyer to send you her preferences via a convo.

If you decide to go the custom route, here are a few tips:

• Obtain payment upfront. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a personalized item you can't sell or use.

• Charge a little more for custom items. After all, they tend to involve more work.

• Tag customizable item listings as "custom," "personalized," or "made to order." That way, buyers who use those terms in their search phrases are more likely to find your item.

• Be specific about the buyer's options. Simply saying "I can make anything in any color!" tends to overwhelm buyers. You can add specific variations to your item listings.

• Communicate with your buyer. Let him know how your order process works and what he needs to do to keep things moving. Send this info to your buyer in a convo and post it on your shop's Policies page.

• Give buyers a time frame. Custom items will take a bit of time to prepare. Be sure your buyer knows what to expect. You can set your processing time for custom items when you create a listing for one.

• Send the buyer a photo of the item before you ship it. That way, she knows she's getting what she asked for.

IMPORTANT

Obtain payment upfront. I have learned this the hard way at the school of hard knocks.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

etsy shop help :: custom listings & unhappy customers ...

http://www.goinghometoroost.com/2010/indie-biz/etsy-shop-help-custom-listings-unhappy-customers/

Interesting?

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

In Stock or Made-To-Order? What Works Best for Etsy Sales ...

http://www.everythingetsy.com/category/business-tips/

You will need to scroll through this blog; yet, interesting.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

How to place custom orders on Etsy

For those who like YouTube videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3prVAA4kTw

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Sell Custom Orders? Etsy's Got New Tools for You --- By Ina Steiner
EcommerceBytes.com --- June 21, 2013

http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y13/m06/i21/s02

If you've been to a wedding in the last few years, chances are you've come across some Etsy sellers' handiwork. The site is a magnet for brides and grooms looking for wedding favors, cake toppers, and other items they can personalize.

Custom orders extend far beyond couples - it seems there's no end to the types of items that can be customized and personalized to suit Etsy shoppers, but those items usually take longer to prepare and ship and require far more communication with buyers than typical items.

Etsy has been working with over 5,000 sellers in a "prototype" team to work on creating ways for sellers to more prominently show shoppers they offer custom orders, and to help sellers manage the entire custom order process. This week it announced some changes to custom order requests.

Sellers can opt in to accept custom order requests in their shop settings. (Go to Your Shop> Options (under the Shop Settings heading) and enable the "Request custom order" option.)

Etsy explained in its announcement: "The improved custom order option will display that you accept custom orders on your shop and listing pages, and provide you with tools specific to managing custom buyer requests. A pronounced "Request custom order" link lets shoppers less familiar with Etsy know that you do custom work, and when they click on that link, a special custom order conversation begins."

Etsy also added a tools to move the custom order process along, including the following:

-A timeline of events to help you keep track of how each custom order is progressing, with a separate conversation folder just for custom requests.

-The ability to create a private listing just for you and the buyer.

-The ability to create a private listing from an existing listing.

One seller commenting about the new tools appreciated the private-listing functionality, writing, "Only last week I had a customer buy an order that was reserved for someone else, so this feature avoids that because when you make a custom order through this system it is private and not on show to anyone except the customer it is intended for."

New and Improved Tools for Custom Requests on Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12528897/

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Tips for Selling Custom Items on Etsy | Handmadeology

http://www.handmadeology.com/tips-for-selling-custom-items-on-etsy/

One of the most rewarding things about selling handmade is working with a customer to design something special. If you do a lot of custom work, you may choose to create listings for custom items in your Etsy shop. Here are some tips to help the custom order process work great for both you and your customers.

Streamline your options. Overwhelming your buyer with too many options may not be the best approach. I’ve found that narrowing things like color choices to those that are most popular gives the buyer easy, fast choices that don’t lead to them delaying their purchase. If a person feels they need to come back and spend more time with options, they might talk themselves out of buying the item or find something else in the meantime. When you describe your options in the item listing, use very clear and simple language. Now is not the time to wax poetic about the lovely materials you have available.

Since we don’t have a drop down menu to select sizing and colors on Etsy, your customers will need to leave this information in “message to seller” at checkout. Make this very clear so buyers understand how to select the options you give them. Keep your listings short, and leave spaces between important information so it will draw attention to each option and information about the checkout process.

If possible, provide photos for the each option they should select for the item (color, materials, sizing diagram, etc.). The order you display the photos in the item listing should correspond with the order you mention the options in the listing. Some people are more visual or just won’t read the listing – photos will help bring the options to their attention. Here you can see my original dog hat sizing diagram. I drew it with a sharpie and scanned it into the computer. The second is a newer hat sizing guide I created in Adobe Illustrator.

Mention the turnaround time for the item in the listing description. Some people are impatient for orders to come right away, others are amazed it doesn’t take months to receive a custom item. Clarity about your timeframe up front will often help you make the sale and will save worry on both sides about the status of an order.

If there is an important part of your shop policies that pertains to custom orders you may want to include a link in the listing. You may also choose to include information about returns on custom items in your item listing.

After a customer purchases a custom item, repeat the information they provide back to them in a confirmation email. For example, “thanks very much for purchasing x, in blue with a silver buckle. I will create the custom item as you described and it will ship in 5-7 days”.

Be patient when people get things wrong. Over 60% of my orders are custom items, and about 35% of the time people miss a step and leave out information. If you receive an order and there is no message to seller, contact the buyer as quickly as possible and lay out all the options in an email or Conversation. I attach photos to the email instead of directing them back to the listing to make things easier and faster for them. If a buyer never responds, cancel the sale after 72 hours (or whatever time period you state in your shop policies). For a number of reasons, it’s not a great idea to just send them a similar item.

No matter how many options you provide, there will always be customers who can dream up something you don’t yet offer. For customers who request unique items, create a listing for them to purchase that includes a detailed description about the item you will make and how long it will take for you to fill the order. This way you have a sort of contract in place you can both refer to and agree upon. I also keep track of price quotes I give customers in a notebook next to my computer, so if someone asks me for, say, a custom Great Dane sweater, I have the information on hand and am consistent with quotes I give for similar items.

Custom items often take more time, so to increase your price for these items accordingly. When dealing with customers one on one to design an item, outline where the additional cost is coming from. If you need to research and purchase new materials or develop a pattern for an item, explain that this contributes to the additional cost of the item. If a custom item is considerably more expensive than what you have in your shop, you may choose to offer the potential buyer more than one option to make it affordable for them.

This photo of the adorable Bailey was provided by our customer Kristin in North Carolina. I created a custom floral collar for Bailey to wear in her lovely outdoor wedding. Customer photos are my favorite part of what I do, and are a great way of showing potential buyers what custom items might look like. You can see more of our custom item photos here on Bean’s Blog.
Aside from trial and error, shopping handmade yourself is a great way to understand what you want as a buyer. Pay attention to how you shop and when you lose patience with too much information. I keep a notebook next to the computer that I use when I shop to keep track of my experiences as a buyer.

For those of you who have been selling through custom listings on Etsy for awhile, I’d love to hear about the challenges that selling different types of (human) items present!

Some of the above is including in some of the other above; however, sometimes we benefit from hearing or reading "in other words."

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy’s New Custom Orders: A Detailed Look

http://brittanysbest.com/2013/06/etsys-new-custom-orders-a-detailed-look/

Etsy announced new and improved tools for custom order requests. Since the custom orders feature a private listing for the purchaser, Etsy is now two for three on my list of Missing Etsy Features from 2011. The announcement covers the basics – here we’ll take an in-depth look into this new feature.

Etsy custom orders are opt-in; the setting is under Shop Settings > Options > Request Custom Order. Set this to Enabled and you’ll get a big fat button on your shop urging customers to contact you for custom orders; see it in action on my shop page.

Custom order highlights
◦The listing is private – only the intended buyer will see it.
◦The Etsy listing fee is not charged until the item is purchased.
◦The private listing is currently limited to one photo.
◦The buyer is automatically notified when their custom order is ready for purchase.

The nitty-gritty

Custom order requests piggyback on Etsy’s conversations system. When a buyer requests a custom order, it’ll show up as a convo and be placed in both your inbox and a “Custom Requests” folder.

The first contact is a simple convo with the request from the buyer and a “Needed by” date if they entered one. Since it’s a convo, you can go back and forth with the buyer to nail down the specifics – attaching images as needed. The special custom order convos always have a section on top to start building the custom listing.

The custom order listing is a trimmed-down version of a full Etsy listing. It’s sensible to cut out a lot of the listing details – many of the listing fields are unnecessary if you’ve already arranged a buyer and don’t need to catch someone’s eye in search. It does carry the limitation that only one photo can be attached to the listing.

Once you publish the custom order listing, the buyer will be notified automatically via convo and email that the custom order is listed and ready for purchase. The buyer can add the listing to their cart and proceed with Etsy checkout as normal.

Notable is the fact that the listing fee is not charged until the buyer makes the purchase; no longer will sellers be burned by listing fees for custom orders that were never purchased.

A listing generated from a custom order request shows up in your shop Listings section marked as “Private.” The Edit link from the Listings screen takes you back to the custom request convo with the mini-editor open so you can make changes.

The custom order convo includes a timeline showing the steps in the process – request, listing, order placement and shipping. The timeline only shows once you enter the convo – hopefully Etsy will add an indicator in the “Custom Request” folder view so you can see the status of multiple custom orders at once.

Custom orders have long been a pain point for Etsy sellers; it’s a relief to have an improved process. It doesn’t solve all the world’s problems – there’s no support for split payment, and some sellers find buyers mashing the custom order button rather than using their listing variations – but it’s a great step towards a full-featured custom order process.

Brittany’s Best has a post that includes information about Etsy’s custom order request feature, initiated earlier this year. If you sell on Etsy, it’s a good idea to be familiar with this system before your customer clicks that button . . .

--- --- ---

One of the reason's I believe in creating a shop section about custom orders is that custom orders really need to be broken down in the different parts of a custom order.

This is why my work in progress plans including creating several custom order listings to show and tell about how different ones work.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

How to Manage Custom Orders on Etsy

Custom orders really require well thought out management!

http://creativeincomeblog.com/manage-custom-orders-etsy/

One of my favorite parts about selling on Etsy is taking custom orders! They’re always new and exciting and can be a fun challenge. After agreeing on a custom inquiry, how should you manage this type of order? Use these helpful tips for reserved listing success.

Make a Custom Order Template

Save yourself a lot of time down the road by whipping up a custom reserved order template picture on your photo editing software (like Photoshop). You just need a simple background with the words “Reserved Order” or “Custom Listing” (or else whatever you want to write), but make it generic enough that you can re-use it for multiple custom orders. It’s also a good idea to create a slightly different version (vary a color or background) in case you need to have multiple custom listings up in your shop at the same time.

Get Paid Up Front (this should be said again: GET PAID UP FRONT)

Remember you’re running a business, so don’t put a ton of time into a custom order before securing a payment. Get either a full or a partial down payment before purchasing supplies and creating the product. To take payments in installments just set up separate listings for the first down payment and remaining balance(s). If giving a customer a price quote requires you to make a mock up or sample, charge a fee if it will take a really long time. If it’s simple and won’t be a hassle, it’s usually worth it to do it for free and send them a quick photo. You can factor the additional work into your price for the handmade custom order.

It’s Okay to Say No (ABSOLUTELY, SAY NO, yet politely say thank you for inquiring too)

When you have a custom request that makes you uncomfortable or uneasy, involves copyright issues, mature content, etc., don’t hesitate to say no. That’s one of the coolest things about selling on Etsy- you can refuse to take an order, or cancel and refund if you feel weird. There is a fine balance between making money and compromising your work, so it’s up to you!

Convo When You Ship (or email)

Try to let your customer know when their reserved purchase is complete and going into the mail. This way they can keep an eye out for it. If it’s a particularly fragile, expensive, or large order, you may want to consider insurance and sending via UPS or another package carrier.

Leave the Listing Up

If you have a customer who hasn’t responded to messages or is taking a long time to check out, just leave the listing up on Etsy and usually they will purchase it within a few months before it expires. You’ve already spent the $.20 for Etsy’s listing fee, so be patient. Not everyone is in a big hurry to place their order!

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Custom Order Returns?

Yes, No, or Maybe?

60-Days for the Buyer to leave a Review.

As you know I offer a 60-Day Money Back Customer Satisfaction Guarantee; and it is twice as long as QVC's 30-Day Money Back Guarantee they offer on many of their products, but not all.

"The Power of the Review almost always is in the Power of the Buyer."

and, for 60 days too.

--- --- ---

Bottom Line in my thinking is that Custom Order should only be Custom within one's pre-determined boundaries.

What do you think?

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy Sellers tips – Custom orders

http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/2010/01/etsy-sellers-tips-custom-orders.html

January 11, 2010 (not current; yet some good thinking too)

The world of custom orders is a tricky one for any Etsy seller, because we enter the minefield of creating something unique to a buyers design specifications. We hand over some or all of the creative control to our buyers, who are often unaware of the limitations of our craft and the time that their items take to create.

I know of many Etsy sellers that have fallen foul of custom order requests gone wrong: Where buyers expect way too much for no increase in price, or when communications have not made it clear exactly what they want before the seller starts work, causing sellers to redo items over and over wasting precious time. The steps below are designed to help you work out the kinks of your custom order process so both you and your buyer are clear on exactly what you expect from each other, hopefully meaning that you both come out happy with your transaction.

1. Talk to your buyer about what they want.

Colors, sizes, design features etc. Ask for images or links for reference if applicable and make sure you get as much information as possible. If your buyer asks for a quote at this point give them a ball park figure if you can, but be clear that until you have decided on ALL the details you can’t give them a specific price.

2. Be honest about what you can and cannot do.

Sometimes buyers assume your craft is capable of things that are just not possible! Be honest with your buyers about what you can and cannot do, it is much better for the both of you if your design specification is achievable right from the beginning. If your buyer sets a low budget, be clear with them about what you can accomplish for their price range.

3. Write up a clear design specification.

When you are sure you have all the information you need: Write up a clear design specification. It sounds so simple and yet it is very easy to get crossed wires even at this early stage, especially if you have had several convos already and important information has to be sifted out.

Write out all the details you have discussed and put it all in one place, give them a price based on this information. Ask your buyer to check it and if they make any changes make sure you adjust the price accordingly if you need to.

Include the shipping cost and the time it will take you to complete the order in your design specification as well. Overestimate the time it will take you by about 20%, this gives you some wiggle room should unforeseen things happen, and if you get it done before you said you would this will make your buyer even happier.

It is a good idea include small piece of text making it clear that changes to the design specification later will incur additional costs, if your buyer keeps changing their minds and costing you time then it is fair that it should cost them more money. Make sure they are aware of this when they are confirming their design specification.

4. Ask for payment before you start work.

You don’t have to ask for all the money before you start, but a partial payment of 50% is more than acceptable. Most professional businesses require 100% payment before they start on an order, and I see no reason why an Etsy seller should not ask for the same.

Some sellers prefer not to take this approach, and of course the decision is up to you. If the item you are making could be sold in your store as a non-custom item then you might choose to risk it and not ask for payment ahead of time, then should something happen you could place it in your store to resell later. However if you are making something that you could not resell, I would highly recommend that you ask your buyer to make some kind of financial commitment before you start work. This is a common policy for most professional businesses.

5. Set up a listing on Etsy so that your buyer can pay [now we have customer order requests]

Include the whole design specification (omitting any personal information that the buyer does not want to share). By doing this you receive payment as well as having a new transaction and feedback options.

6. Keep the lines of communication open as you work

When you wrote out the design specification you set a timetable for the work to be completed. If the work will take more than a week, make sure you keep your buyer up to date on how their item is coming along. If you are having difficulties you did not foresee (such as materials out of stock from your local craft store, or technical problems with some of the design specifications) make sure you keep your buyer informed. Buyers would much rather know about things like this ahead of time than be surprised with them later on. Managing their expectations in important for your customer service record. You don’t need to send a convo every day, but a quick update once a week will really help your buyer feel as if something is happening.

7. Send photos of the completed item to your buyer

Give them the opportunity to suggest any changes they would like you to make. If the changes they want are significantly different from your original design specifications and will cost you more time to do, then make them aware what extra cost they will need to pay to cover this.

If the buyer does request changes repeat step 7 until they are happy with their item.

8. Get the rest of your payment [Now, get your full payment up front]

If you took partial payment before you started work, ask for the rest of it now before you ship the item off.

9. You’re done!

Ship off their items promptly and make sure to let them know how long it should take to arrive.

It helps to write about your custom order policies in the Policies section of your Etsy Store, you can then direct your buyers to read this section as you start convoing about a possible order. Include information on possible costs, construction times, additional charges to changes in the design specifications, when payment is due etc. The more information you include the better your customer will know what to expect from you, and the more protected you are should something go wrong. For example if a buyer claims that they did not know changes that require more work on your part would cost them more money. If it is there in their policies, and you have been clear about it in convos they do not have a leg to stand on.

So many of us rely on custom orders for a large proportion of our income, and many new sellers on Etsy inadvertently allow buyers to walk all over them. Buyers that demand a great deal of work from a seller for a low budget often get a very good deal while the seller is left running in circles for a pitiful amount of money. Don’t allow your need for more sales cause you to undersell what you do.

Summary:

1. Talk to your buyer about what they want.

- Colors, sizes, design features etc.
- Collect together links, images and any other reference material.
- Give a ballpark figure on cost if requested

2. Be honest about what you can accomplish, especially if a low budget it set.

3. Write up a clear design specification and ask your buyer to check it.
Include:

– All the details you have discussed, colors, sizes, design features, links, images and reference material etc
- Total price for the work including the Shipping cost
- Time it will take you to complete the order
- Be clear that major changes to the design speciation will cost the buyer more money.

4. Ask for payment before you start work.

- Partial or full payment, however you decide to do this.

5. Create a special listing in your Etsy store so your buyer can pay. Include the whole design specification in the description. (Remember to protect your customers privacy, remove any personal information like names, addresses etc from the listing description)

6. Keep the lines of communication open.

- Keep your buyer up to date once a week on how things are progressing.
- Let them know if you are having any difficulties with their order, especially if this will affect the construction time.

7. Send photos of the completed item to your buyer.

- Ask for their opinion and any changes they might want.
- If they want changes that are significantly different to the design specification and will cost you more time then give them a quote for the additional work.
- repeat step 7 until your buyer is happy with their order.

8. If you took partial payment before you started work, ask for the rest of it now before you ship the item off.

9. You’re done! Ship off the item promptly.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

In conclusion from me:

Think the really big picture.

Set up maybe 5 levels of custom orders.

Level 1 - Easy

Level 2 - Some work

Level 3 - Moderately involved work

Level 4 - Substantial work

Level 5 - Very hard work

Maybe just start doing Level 1s and 2s.

Thank you.

Mike

PS please share you helpful tips here too.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Should you Accept Custom Orders?

http://howtosellhandmadecrafts.com/should-you-accept-custom-orders/

There are two main types of custom orders – Totally custom and custom variations. Custom variations like simple changes of color can be very easy and quick to do while offering to make entirely new designs from scratch can be much more complex and time consuming.

Aren’t custom orders a lot of trouble? They definitely can be but they can also make you step outside your normal range of thinking which can lead to you using new techniques or introducing new styles.

Custom orders can take a lot of time, can be difficult or stressful to make, or can make you step out of your comfort zone. I would not necessarily say that a custom order is more trouble, because they can be fun, but I will say that they do require more time and effort than regular orders.

It is tough to be efficient – You cannot build custom pieces as efficiently as regular orders since you will be starting from scratch on each one in most cases. Over time you will get set up for making many of your regular handmade items. You will have the dimensions figured out, templates made, or maybe even custom fixtures that will help you build them more quickly. You just cannot do that with custom orders though. You will have to estimate the additional time involved when giving estimates.

They always take more time than you think – Plan on spending a lot more time than you initially estimate. A custom order will just about always take more time than remaking an existing item. Even with practice it is difficult to estimate the time necessary to complete a totally custom project.

This is not only for the item itself, but also for the customer interaction. In many cases there will be a lot of back and forth while figuring out all the details. These emails and conversations take time and should be considered when pricing the custom piece.

You may have to create a prototype just to see if the design can be built. Designs and specifications will need to be approved as well. Keep track of how long you actually spend so you can more accurately estimate custom orders in the future.

Shipping can be a challenge – It can be difficult to give accurate shipping quotes when you do not know the final size and weight of a box. Always get “detailed quotes” when getting estimates online.

Detailed quotes ask for weight, dimensions, and insured value. Use the customer’s Zip code and estimate all the measurements of the box by adding a couple inches to each side of the dimensions of the item you are building. Do this for the top and bottom as well.

Dimensions usually affect the rate more than the weight so be conservative. If you end up using a smaller box just refund some of the shipping cost. Make sure you add a little to the quotes you get online to account for shipping materials and for miscalculations. You can always refund the difference when you ask for the final payment and that is better than having to absorb the cost due to giving too low of an estimate.

Do you take on all custom orders? If you are not comfortable with an idea or request it is best to politely decline. Maybe the budget or time-frame is too tight or maybe you just cannot “get into” the idea. Either way, it is better to turn down the request and avoid the stress or potential issues. Please see: Turning Down Offers for more information.

Do you want to build your customer’s designs? Sometimes a customer will see what you are capable of and will want you to build something that they have designed. Usually they will at least have a sketch concept.

Aside from really having to communicate with the customer to truly understand what they want, you also have to consider if the design itself will work. Sometimes designs only work on paper. You cannot always make a three dimensional version of a sketch and depending on what you make, a prototype may be necessary just to see if the design can be made.

How should you be paid? The key thing to remember is make sure you are paid 100% before shipping out custom pieces. Please see my article on being Paid in Full for more information.

What about returns? In most cases you should not offer returns on custom handmade pieces. The likelihood of being able to sell them to someone else is very low and if you charged more for the custom piece than your usual pieces you will probably not be able to get your money back out of it.

You will want to take all the steps necessary to prevent this from even being an issue. The way to prevent customers from wanting a refund is to first have everything in writing before you begin building, and second is by sending photos to the customer before getting the final payment and shipping their item.

Ideally the customer should have no surprises when they open the box. They knew all the dimensions and specific details before you ever got started building and they saw good photos of the finished piece before you shipped it out. The only concern should really be damage in transit and that can largely be avoided by careful packing.

An added benefit of custom projects – Custom orders can make you deviate from your normal designs and those new ideas can be developed into a new series. One new idea can really spark an entire new line of items that you may not have come up with otherwise. Often times we get into a certain train of thought and that leads to making very similar designs. Sometimes it takes an idea or concept from someone else to get us outside of our normal range of thinking.

You can appeal to more customers – You will appeal to a larger audience if you accept custom orders. Given the option, people do tend to request at least some custom element. By simply mentioning that custom versions of your existing designs can be built you can really increase your number of orders. Just allowing people to pick their own colors can make a big difference and simple changes like that do not usually increase your cost or take more of your time.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

This is an interesting way one seller states this:

♢♢♢CUSTOM ORDER GUIDELINES♢♢♢

See more examples of my dream catchers on my Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/rachaelrice/dreamcatchers-ive-made/ I spend several hours on each custom order that I create. I give each one a tremendous amount of attention and focus. Due to high demand, I am about one month out on new paid orders. Size availability will vary as I do not always keep every size hoop in stock. Here is my price list. (These are base prices. Pricing will vary depending on materials, number of revisions, and requested turnaround time.) All prices include domestic shipping. For international rates, please contact me. ☆ 27″ (68.58cm) in diameter starting at $350 ☆ 19″ (48.26cm) in diameter starting at $275 ☆ 14″ (35.56cm) in diameter starting at $225 ☆ 12″ (30.48cm) in diameter starting at $200 ☆ 10″ (25.4cm) in diameter starting at $150 ☆ 7″ (17.78cm) in diameter starting at $125 ☆ 5″ (12.7cm) in diameter starting at $80 ☆ 3″ (7.62cm) in diameter starting at $50 Fur tails cost $15USD extra, as I buy them outright.

How It Works:

When I receive your order form, I will email you a confirmation and send you an invoice via PayPal. If you’d prefer that I create a custom order via Etsy, do let me know. I accept PayPal and credit cards. Once you pay, I will work on your piece and post photos as I go. I can make 2 revisions before shipping. I can text you photos, attach them via Etsy, or email them to you for your review prior to shipment. Please respond within 48 hours to photos sent, as I must ship the piece to make room for the next orders. I do prefer text messaging. Please message me at 802-229-4427 (iPhone) so I have your contact info. Pieces will be shipped 2 days after photos are sent if no response is received. Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Great information and explanations!

Appreciate this Mike.. Thanks!

[Timelesspeony]

At the moment I am not in the market for custom orders especially with my shop TreasuresRtimeless. But, I plan to expend that feature to my shop VIntagetimelessbride sometime in the future. This is great information and well explained and I will keep it as reference so that I can keep it for further information when I do decide to have customer orders for Vintagetimelessbride.

But, I have a questions on guarantees with this particular selling venue. I do think it is very important to guarantee your work. But, when someone request a particular item with a personalized name or personalized size of clothing, how is it possible to give them a refund when this customized item was made for them and only them? If they return it, (in the same condition it was received, of course) it would be difficult to resell it even at a discount! Do you have any suggestions on this type of guarantee for custom work? Could you indicate ( if a return is necessary for any reason), if you asked for a down payment on the order to start, would it be ethical to state in your policies that you do allow returns, but the initial down payment is non-refundable? What do you think?

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Thank you for your comments.

Let's use my shop and its custom request orders as an example.

I talk about 5 levels of custom requests. I am only going to choose to develope levels 1, 2, and 3 at this time.

Here is Level One and it is a work in progress:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197425933/custom-order-glass-dome-pendant-quality?ref=listing-0

Here is Level Two and it is a work in progress:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197415026/custom-order-glass-dome-pendant-quality?ref=listing-1

Here is Level Three and it is a work in progress:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197427773/custom-order-glass-dome-pendant-quality?ref=listing-2

Each Level adds more photo editing and enhancing. Which level is right for your photo? Best if you send me a CONVO with your photo to use and I can evaluated it and provide you with a Free estimate of what each different level can for your custom pendant.

Money Back Guarantee --- My Standard 60-Day Money Back Guarantee does not apply to custom requests. I will provide you with a photo of your custom pendant and if you do not love it then I will gladly at that time cancel your order and refund your payment in full including original shipping. The 60-Day period does not apply to Custom Request Orders.

Sherry's Questions:

And, by the way I am challenged right now as to how a seller can come up with a custom request for a vintage product; ask me in a couple of months maybe then I'll have a little answer.

Questions on guarantees with this particular selling venue. I do think it is very important to guarantee your work.


But, when someone request a particular item with a personalized name or personalized size of clothing, how is it possible to give them a refund when this customized item was made for them and only them?

Answer: It is always possible to give them a refund, yet it would not be profitable and would even cost the seller money.

Even with my guarantee right now of sending a photo and allowing the buyer to cancel then will be a cost to me.

If they return it, (in the same condition it was received, of course) it would be difficult to resell it even at a discount! Do you have any suggestions on this type of guarantee for custom work? Could you indicate ( if a return is necessary for any reason), if you asked for a down payment on the order to start, would it be ethical to state in your policies that you do allow returns, but the initial down payment is non-refundable? What do you think?

As you know I currently offer a 60-Day Money Back Guarantee including original shipping on my pendants and products. Why does this make sense to do? It likely makes more sense to a buyer to know that I will guarantee my product for 60-Days which is twice as long as QVC's 30-Day they give on their products. By the way I have had only one return to date and that is because I sent a pendant with the wrong artwork. That pendant was given to a local charity for the needed. I do not resell products returned.

Quality 1st is my motto. I spot buy products from my competitors to check their quality against mine. Since I invest more and often much more in my pendants the quality has so far always been the best I can find on Etsy.

Offering an un-conditional guarantee for a custom request order?

This might be okay, if the buyer would guarantee against buyer's remorse too?

Then, too I do offer 100% Safe Delivery and sometimes shipments get lost or damaged?

The majority of the time studies show that buyers look for some type of return policy or guarantee and some type of savings too; even when they buy something of higher price.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

CUSTOM --- how much custom will be just right for your shop?

In follow up to my last post; I believe it is really the answer to this first question I presented and doing ones best to get it right.

Just offering some type of variation can make it a little custom order.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Custom Request ~ Shopper's Viewpoint?

After reviewing the preceding --- what is needed is a way to help shoppers understand what a custom order can be and what it cannot be.

Variations can be the basic 1st step in customizing an order.

2 variations slots are provided

Variation #1 can include price.

Variations well done can increase sales.

Custom Orders can help too.

Examples are one of the best ways to help explain and clarify.

My next post will start to discuss Variations and lead into 1st Level Custom Requests.

Thank you.

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

I am a shopper . . . I see this teal button that says make a custom request . . . this shop sells pendants . . . what I wonder can I request to be customized?

How about a picture of my cat, my dog, my bird, my mom, my dad, my sister, and etc.?

All my photos are big - 8 x 10 or 5 x 7 -

Thinking . . .