Custom Requests -- When they ask you to change the soul of your products

[Former_Member]

I sell some pretty snarky cards. That being said, it's not unusual for a customer to convo me and ask to tweak a design for a custom order.

Take, for instance, this pregnancy card. The inside says "Congrats on getting knocked up" and the description of the listing is equally snarky.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/94542670/congrats-on-getting-knocked-up-pregnancy

A few weeks ago a customer convoed me, asking me to change the inside to read simply "congratulations on your pregnancy." I obliged, even though it changed the entire mood of the card, the entire purpose for it existing. My items are easily customization, so I don't mind changing things, because I can easily change it back for the next customer.

But I wonder, does anyone else get requests to tweak designs where it changes the ENTIRE piece? I always work with customers, even though it sometimes makes me wonder why they chose my shop. But I never look a gift horse in the mouth!

Please post your thoughts below!

[Former_Member]

maybe he just liked the design so much and found your prices appealing and couldn´t find anything similar

i´ve had something, well similar happen to me. i make my friendship bracelets from pearl cotton and i also do custom orders. i´ve got a customer that ordered several bracelets (i´m still working on it) and he sent me the ones he´d like and the colours, but he wants some made from other threads, which i don´t understand totally because from the simple look there´s not so much difference but pearl cotton is in my opinion the best material for the bracelets because it does not disintegrate over the making process like other threads do.
anyway we agreed that if he wants his bracelets made from different threads he has to buy them himself and send them to me and i will send the rest i didn´t need back because i´m not going to invest a lot of money for mats i´m only going to need once.
i still don´t understand why but it´s ok for me.

[kidsstore]

Yes, I have had some customers want items a lot different than the ones shown. I don't let it bother me, as I would have a lot fewer sales if I wasn't flexible. Also, I look at it as I used my own creative abilities and personality to produce the item. Furthermore, it was those same traits that induced the customer to take a chance on me and believe I could make something that would work for him/her and fill their own personal need.

I completely understand what you are saying, and that you are secure enough in your abiblities to be really upset when a customer wants something a little different. Of course, there are things that we make that would be completely ruined if they are changed. If it is easy and non-destructive to change an item for a customer, then it may usually be a good idea to meet their request.

[Former_Member]

Oh, I ALWAYS meet the request. It doesn't bother me, just confuses me. I should have been more clear. I'm always happy to make changes for customers, just confused when they come to me and request an item outside of my style.

[kidsstore]

It is possible that the customer has been searching for something particular and could not find it. They they came across your item and it was the closest they could find to their original idea. By having you change your item a little, it made the item they needed perfect.

[Former_Member]

True. I just feel like other greeting card sellers do "sweet" so well.

Like I said, I never mind changing an item. Just wondering how everyone else deals with it.

[Former_Member]

In my other shop I do custom bags for favor's and I get people changing the entire design, It does not bother me a sale is a sale and it is not like it is questioning my integrity they just need it to say or look like something else.