custom orders

[CurlewLakeJewelry]

How do you handle payment for custom orders at an outdoor market? Do you ask for anything up front or not??
Thanks guys

[Former_Member]

Would this be for a custom order that you would fulfill during the market? Or, would this be something that might take you a few days to make & then you would deliver later to the customer?

We typically don't do custom orders at shows/markets but just from a general business standpoint, I wouldn't start working on a custom order without a deposit. You need to make sure the person is serious about the order before you start spending your time, effort & supplies on making a custom piece.

I've ordered custom signs from a vendor at a large festival & gave him a 50% deposit for the sign, then picked it up several hours later as he was making custom signs in his booth. I don't think he would want to start cutting into a piece of wood, adding our names and all without having a deposit of some sort.

If we didn't give him money upfront, then we'd have nothing to lose but he would, as he wouldn't be able to do anything with that sign once he started cutting our names & design into the sign.

I suggest you get a deposit upfront, before starting on any custom work. Protect yourself, your time & your materials.

[andidanie]

I do payment in full at the event, and offer free shipping, sometimes I'll make arrangements to meet them (like a starbucks or something) for delivery.

You have to get at least 50% upfront. If they cancel a couple days later, you likely have already purchased the materials to fill the order (and probably started working on it), and would be out that cost.

[MittenMadeWoodcrafts]

oh gosh this is great advice!

[WhimsyBits]

Payment in full - 99.9% of customers will be totally ok with it.

[Former_Member]

Payment in full, before I start. Images provided along the process and then shipping is included in the full payment up front.

VERY much the same requirements for etsy as well.

[LuluDeuxMillinery]

For custom work, it's normal to ask for at least a 25-30% deposit upfront (if not the full amount).

[Former_Member]

I never asked for any payment up fromt and never had any problems. The customers picked the item at my place or we met at public places.
Once I met with a cusomer at a cafe and she insinted in buying me coffee and even payed 10% more than I was asking for the item. A few years lates she still says hi when we meet at shows.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

I always ask for money upfront.

I had too many problems with people saying they would pay when done, than I would have to torture them for payment afterwards. Twice I finished the product, they never paid, and I was stuck with their order. Thankfully they were only baby hats and dog sweaters, so I was able to easily resell them.

[ArteOfTheBooke]

Payment in full, always. I give a very detailed receipt to the customer that clearly specifies everything we've agreed on.

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

We always get payment upfront for custom orders, including shipping, unless they plan to pick it up. We've never had anyone ask to pay later or only pay a deposit.

We bring 2-part order forms to shows, on which we list all the details, including all their contact info, so we both have a copy of everything agreed to. Then we email or call, whichever they requested, when the order is done.

That being said, if they just wanted an item that we normal have but had sold out of we would be more flexible. It's still better if they want to pay upfront, then you know you have the sale, but we would certainty offer to write/call when we had the piece available without payment.

[Former_Member]

I just had a custom order fall through here in this shop.

Back and forth, received sample of her paper design and then when I told her I needed ALL the material fees, design fees and shipping fees up front before starting the 30 box acetate window topped boxes............she replies "I'll wait".

Which is fne with me, I can enjoy my weekend and work on show items for my CrudeCo shop festival the end of June.

Just to show you what she wanted 30 units of and delivered by the 29th, knowing I needed to find floral blue card stock.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/233935869/window-topped-boxes-original-design?

[janeeroberti]

I take full payment at the show. But I throw in shipping for free. It's a way to make people not worried about giving their money away.

Also, I always write their order on a duplicate Sales Order form, with my business contact info on it, so they get a paper copy of their order too.

[Former_Member]

I like that approach Jane.