Custom Listing Question

[sunshineandvodka]

How long do you keep a custom listing for a potential customer?

[Former_Member]

If it's for a bride, often I'll leave it up a couple of weeks - a lot of times my girls will convo with me and will pay me when they get paid, which is fine. So far, I've never had a bride NOT pay. How long has it been?

[Former_Member]

When I list a custom order, I message the buyer asking them to purchase it within 2 weeks. I've never had a custom order sit around for more than 4-5 days before the person purchased it, but just as a precaution I do give them the 2 week limit.

[AtHomeWithLolly]

Paulette, when you say CUSTOM, does that mean you are creating the item at time of purchase? If so I follow these guidelines.

I get quite a few buyers that write to me ( for example ) on the 22nd and say I need these by "the 28th", will they arrive on time! If I have to create them , and do not have any in stock then my hands are tied until they pay! Cutting Fabric or handstitched work limits you to reselling it if the buyer doesn't show.

In cases like these, I post it, convo them that their RESERVED or CUSTOM listing is up and that it is valid for 72 hours. If they don't pay within 48 hours I convo again and tell them it will be up for another 24 hours. I have to make sure they realize that the date of shipping depends upon the date of payment, not the date they wrote and requested the item.

I have only had to do that once or twice, most buyers that have chosen a custom made item pay fairly quickly for me.

If by Custom, you are referring to RESERVED FOR, ( meaning you have it in stock and it is ready to ship) then I do a similar listing, but use those words vs Custom, and only keep it up for 48-72 hours and ALWAYS attempt at least twice through Etsy Convo or personal email to contact the buyer. I never leave it up past 72 hours.

[sunshineandvodka]

I was just wondering how long to leave it on my front page... I don't like the looks of the "CUSTOM ORDER" all over my front page... maybe I should just move them to the second page? I send the links in convo's to the customer so they know where they're at at least....

[lippybrand]

I dont like RESERVED LISTING sitting on my front page for very long either. Som people will have a reserved listing or custom orders section in there shop. But I always send them the link in our last conversastion. I had a customer that took almost 3 weeks just to purchase the listing. we had several conversations during this time & she would always assure, "yes I am goin to purchase it" And what do you know she finally did.

After I send them the link and its been on my front page for a day or two I move it to the back and just try to be patient. :)

[sunshineandvodka]

Thanks Amy... :)

[Former_Member]

To be honest, I don't mind letting custom orders sit there - other people will get curious about it while they're in your shop. It also lets them know you'll take custom orders.

[TheSSSeamstress]

I make a shop section called "custom orders" or "reserved" for all of these -- that way I can send them all to the back of my shop, but they're still pretty easy to find for people who are looking for them specifically.

[KilnMasterPottery]

Having have had recently bad experience with a custom/reserve order I would suggest no more than 48 hours but to communicate to the customer that you will open the listing to public after the expiration time. The particular customer I dealt with is requesting custom/reserved orders which then do not get purchased. When I typed the customer name into a search bar and forgot to state that I was looking for a shop 15 reserved listings popped up some dating from April. When I talked to a fellow potter I was informed that he had this stunt pulled on him twice.
So I would suggest check them out and give them a time limit. Most customers are good but if you are asking it the customer is probably taking too long to purchase.