Custom Order Not Paid for

[Former_Member]

I figured one day this would come and bite me in the butt.

I made a custom handfasting cord order, set up the listing and the customer has told me twice now she would buy it at a certain date. As of almost a month ago, she said she still wanted it but was waiting for pay day. I have sent 2 messages about 2 weeks apart to check and each time I get yes and just waiting for pay day.

I don't ask for a deposit of any kind because normally I can just sell the cord or take the materials and re-use them, but I'm not sure what to do in this situation.

Should I just take down the listing and sell everything separately? Should I message the buyer again and A) find out what's going on and/or B) give her a deadline to purchase?

Thanks in advance.

[Former_Member]

I think a deadline would be good and definitely message her again, you have been patient enough. Just be nice about it and say that you cannot keep the listing up forever! Its kind of a weird situation, luckily you can reuse your materials and wont take too much of a loss! Good luck to you!

[Former_Member]

I'd give her a deadline, then just re-use the materials if she doesn't pay. It's ridiculous that she's left you hanging so long, not to mention just plain rude.

I don't do any work on custom orders unless the customer pays upfront. It saves the time and effort of trying to track the customer down, and I want to make sure I'm paid for the work I do on the order. Even though you're lucky enough to be able to re-use the materials, you have essentially wasted the time you spent putting the item together and sending the e-mails trying to get payment if she doesn't buy.

[FiberAndTextileArts]

For me if I know the material needed would need to be purchased I require pre-payment. That way too the person all ready has paid before receiving the item. If I know I have the materials, make the item, & know I could re-list the item as an all ready made item then I don't require it as I know if such a situation arises I'll still get paid.
If something like that happened to me and it's been a month I would (I know too nice of me) message 1 more time politely letting the individual know item was special ordered on xyz date, was ready on xyz day, have been promised payment by xyz date....if payment is not received by xyz date (not much more than a week for me personally) then item is no longer available for purchase by them. If order is then not paid for do as you see fit with the item...what ever would not put you out much more $$.

[Former_Member]

Thanks all. :)

And yes, from here on out I will either be asking for a deposit or the entire order up front and will be updating my policies as well. I had a feeling doing it this way I was getting lucky for too long. lol As far as deposits go, would it be better to ask for a percentage of the total or the total?

[ForeverSweethearts]

Deposits: I require the full amount ahead of time if the project is easily imaginable by both parties (as in, "I want this, but in this color.")

If it's an experimental-type order (like trying to match another item, or create something entirely new), I make it first and send photos and let the shopper decide whether to follow through with the purchase, and just list it if they either don't respond or don't want to buy.

Maybe not the most efficient policy, but it's been good for me. I haven't yet had to beg anyone to make their purchase :) or list a custom-order-gone-sour.

[Former_Member]

I agree with a deadline, and include this in your policies from now on, to cover yourself.

Example; custom orders need to be paid for within 3 weeks...

[JoArtyJo]

I always get full payment up front. It's not worth the time wasted otherwise.
And that includes custom original drawings where the customer has no idea what the final piece will look like. I guess if they like your work they can trust you :-)
I've never had anyone question me or complain about it, it's just the way I do it. They ask for a drawing of something, I quite a price, if they agree then I create the listing and send them the link. Once they've paid I start work. Simple :-)

[Former_Member]

It might be good to next time ask for a deposit, unless you could just sell whatever it was to someone else.

Send them a message saying you will keep it until a certain date then you will offer it to someone else. She could genuinely be waiting for payday and if not once you say you'll sell it on I guarantee the money will be found very quickly if she's serious.

[Former_Member]

Dana,

I am so sorry for your having to go through such a frustrating situation.

I never do a custom order until I have the payment after a customer did not come through many years ago....I still have that piece hanging in my work area as a reminder.

Is this something that you can put up for someone else to purchase without having to take it apart to reuse the pieces? I would do that if possible should you not hear back after you send a deadline for payment.

I wish you the best.

[StuckOnSilver]

Custom work, especially with personalized touches such as initials, takes trust both ways. Pay for it before you see it? Make it before you get paid? Good luck!!

[Former_Member]

Deposits: I require the full amount ahead of time if the project is easily imaginable by both parties (as in, "I want this, but in this color.")

If it's an experimental-type order (like trying to match another item, or create something entirely new), I make it first and send photos and let the shopper decide whether to follow through with the purchase, and just list it if they either don't respond or don't want to buy.

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I use the same policies as Stephanie. If it is a return customer that I've worked with before I sometimes will make it before I set up the custom listing. It depends on if I have the materials on hand or have to purchase them to complete the project. Also, the difficulty of the project determines this.

[Former_Member]

Dana - something similar just happened to me. I will be updating my policies for custom orders and request a deposit or full payment, depending on volume. I special ordered some paper to make 50 handcut baby jumper cards and made and shared several examples and then she backed out on me after 3 weeks of back and forth. Just plain rude! I can certainly try to resell them, but now I am left stiffed for all the supply costs and my time.

[CelesteCraft]

Maybe you don't have to take the cords apart, but you can just edit the listing- remove the Reserved info and describe the item.

That way your custom buyer can still buy it.... but if someone else gets there first it's "too bad."