Custom Order and DC

[SimpleElementsDesign]

I am curious. Can you take a deposit for a custom order with direct check out and access the funds even if the item hasn't shipped (much less been made?) The transaction would be completed so can you mark it shipped - the buyer would know what is going on. I use the deposit to buy the materials. I wanted to get an answer before I take a custom order. If you can't do that, then I need to specify that custom orders can only be done via PayPal. Thanks in advance!

[Former_Member]

Not at this time. There are several threads addressing this issue so Admin is aware of the problem with custom orders. You can't mark it shipped if it isn't.

[SimpleElementsDesign]

That is what I thought. Thanks Linda!

[cutiegirlie]

what if you do two separate listings, one at the time of the order for the deposit and the other for the balance due? They would be two separate transactions so then could I show the deposit transaction as shipped in order to receive the funds to buy materials? would love for someone to tell me this. thanks.

[sherrytruitt]

Sorry, admin said no to this. You can't make listings for deposits on etsy, it's against the TOU.

There is another thread about this, I just can't find it.

[cutiegirlie]

thanks for the info! I had been doing this for a while (before DC) There really should be something that can be done when dealing with large custom orders. Could the customer cancel before the item is shipped and the seller be left with unwanted merchandise and a big bill for materials, or once the customer commits to buy is the money deposited? I am a little confused here.
There should be a way to collect a non-refundable deposit to cover cost of materials.

[PatsPottery]

I charge the full amount on all my custom orders, up front. Have never had a customer question it yet.

[cutiegirlie]

That's fine, but with DC the money isn't released until shipping, correct?

[OriginalsbyLauren]

no, it isn't

[cutiegirlie]

ummmm. maybe I am missing something, I have the outlay of materials and not 100% sure whether the buyer could cancel thru their CC until the money is transferred 3 days after shipping.
It is possible then that the person could receive the goods before I receive any money at all? Is this right? Not sure I will keep taking DC in this case. I am holding all the risk here, it seems unfair to me, but then as I said, maybe I am missing something.

[Former_Member]

you can always make a shop policy, for now, stating that custom orders can only be initiated by submitting a partial deposit for materials through paypal so your customers know it will have to be paypal for the deposit ... then you can post the remainder of the payment as a custom order/regular post that they can pay by DC or paypal at their discretion. that way you'll have your funds for purchasing stock and you will get the rest once the items done and shipped ;-)

[BuzzPlanet]

The buyer can't cancel the payment; the payment has already gone through at the time you get the email from etsy. Etsy just holds the funds until the item has shipped.

[SimpleElementsDesign]

Brandi - but if you are doing a custom order, you will be communicating with the buyer before any transaction occurs so you can specify how things work.

[Former_Member]

I just ran into this problem, didn't think to specify to the buyer that the deposit needed to be through Paypal, oh well.

[Former_Member]

Hm, that is an interesting thing. I also have a custom order coming. I told the customer that she could do a partial payment to start. I do not not want to tell her she has to go through paypal for the deposit. I know some people feel very strongly about not using paypal. It is the main reason why I opened DC for my account.

Oh well, if I have to wait for funds so be it. As long as the funds are there and confirmed I can deal with it.