Custom orders

[aubabi78]

Hello! The majority of my sells are custom orders. I do not charge anything extra for hunting down the perfect paper and ordering it special for them. On average I spend about 12 hours per custom order finding it for them. I have noticed in other shops that they do charge an extra "custom fee" ontop of the regular price the item would be. How do people feel about charging extra for custom orders? Do any of you charge extra for the hours of extra time taken on them?

[CapeCodArtnNature]

before last year's holiday season, no--but i did a lot of work that didn't get paid for last year and i will not be doing that again. in my off etsy life i never had people propose a project work half way through it and then disappear with my proofs in their hands...but here on etsy that has happened more than once...

it's up to you of course, but i would consider charging a fee for the running around. what is your time worth to you? i'm old and getting older so my time is worth more each day--to me anyway!

[Former_Member]

I never thought about this. I think charging a custom fee might be a good idea! It definitely takes me a while to track down all the supplies I need to create some of my custom orders (not to mention the fact that I have to buy additional supplies), so I think charging an extra fee for this would be fair. Thanks for starting this thread!

[Former_Member]

I'm beginning too, if someone contacts me & wants a product done in a different yarn that is more expensive than the orginal item then I let them know the price difference right up front. If they dont want to pay the extra cost I offer some less expensive options but still keeping in mind more expensive yarn will create a more expensive item.

[Former_Member]

I think it depends on what you do. Your shop states that you do custom orders in the announcement, so I would expect that was part of what you offered in your basic price. If this wasn't what you wanted, I would change your announcement to indicate that you are willing to do custom work. I've done a bit of custom work as well and in one case at least have taken a bath doing so, but if my stuff doesn't sell I don't make anything so I say thanks for the sales. As "artsy" people we underprice what we do; I'm definitely guilty as charged. I think the biggest thing is laying out before hand what you expect out of your sale. Hope this helps.

--Carol

[jordandene]

I think it depends on whether or not the end result is valuable to you. I never charge for custom orders because sometimes that means someone else giving me a really good idea that I can then incorporate into future items in my shop. But if custom orders mean you doing a bunch of extra work for someone and then that is the end of the benefits for you, I think you might be smart to charge extra.

[HouseHoldWords]

I don't charge extra for custom work, but I do state that it may take me 4- 6 days to complete the custom order before shipping it out.

completely up to you and how you want to do it.

[aubabi78]

I think you are so right Carol! I need to reconsider having it in my announcement and my listings that I do custom work if it's causing me too much work :) I also, need to think about how much of my business is actually custom orders. I think I would be losing a lot of customers if I didn't offer it.

Jordandene you are right about getting good ideas from people! I just had a gal ask about drink stirrers and I had never even thought of that before but, now I might add it to my shop.

Householdwords I do let them know that it takes longer. Mostly because I have to order the paper or find it :)

Thanks to everyone for your advise!

[Former_Member]

I do charge a bit more for custom orders because I go through many steps with my customers to do something that is just right for them. Sending them sketches, changing/ adding details, emailing proofs, etc. It's a ton more extra time and attention.
I love doing custom orders though. And as a buyer I don't mind paying a little extra for something custom because I understand all the extra work that goes into it.

Oh, but I did forget to mention that if it's a minor customization, like hair color on one of my paintings, then I don't charge for that. Because it's something simple that I don't mind doing and it's something that can be done quickly and easily with the supplies I already have.
In your case if you already had the paper in hand, then I suppose theres not a big need for a higher custom price. But when you buy paper just for your customer, then the added custom price definitely makes sense

[aubabi78]

Great point about having the paper already. I really like doing custom orders too...if I already have the paper :) If I don't that is where it will take hours of search for the perfect paper.

I am worried about removing that I do custom orders because they are the majority of my orders. I am thinking that maybe I can stop offering bulk discounts if I don't already have the paper on hand.

You all are giving me great things to think about!

[memoriesforlifesb]

I charge more for my custom albums than I do for my premade albums. There is a lot more prep work that goes into my custom albums.
I think it's expected to pay more for a custom or personalized item.

[Former_Member]

You don't have to remove your note telling buyers that you do custom orders though!
You can just start making more custom listings for your buyers that want paper you don't already have.

Technically you'll still be doing custom orders, but it will be more organized, you'll have more listings, and you'll be compensated for all your extra hard work! It's a win win, I'd say. And you can link to your custom listings from your regular listings so it'll be easy for your customers to see it.

[Former_Member]

I have several custom-bag listings in my store, where people can be the boss of me.

In my listing, I can give customers a good run-down of all of the customizable elements, and an idea of my process.

Also, because the customer has to buy the listing upfront, I dont run the risk that they'll abandon the project. I've only had one order where the customer didn't like her custom design after all, and I just refunded her money.

You should definitely charge a premium for a custom order though. Buyers understand that they are asking for special treatment, and they're not looking for a bargain. They're looking for an experience and a OOAK item.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76380351/canvas-messenger-bag-custom-personalized

[Novella]

I don't charge extra for custom work, of course it's not as frequent as you experience. Perhaps you could create a specific listing for "customized" and work it into the price.

[aubabi78]

Adding a custom order listing sounds like a great idea! Thanks guys!!

[Former_Member]

I think that you should charge a fair price for your time and effort. So, if it takes you longer to do a custom listing, then it should be a higher price than usual. Many times people will recognize that this is worth the additional cost because they are asking for something unique and different. Definitely charge what you're worth!

[Former_Member]

Aubabi,

I think the custom order listing would be a great option, and you can price it a few dollars higher than your regular listing. That way, if a customer wants something, but in a custom color, you can direct them to that listing.

I read a suggestion in another thread that you can add to your policy section (or email repeat buyers) a simple note like "Due to the large amount of custom orders coming in, I will now be charging a customization fee..." However, you have to be careful not to scare a way buyers!

I can see the tough situation this can put you in. Wish you the best, though!

Aman

[Former_Member]

All of my sales here have been custom. I never promise a price until the design has been decided upon. My custom listings have a basic price on them but in the description it is stated that a final price depends on the project. The customer does not purchase that listing but contacts me to work out the specifics and then a listing is put together for them with the accurate price for their purchase. Here's an example of one of my listings.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71667262/custom-jewelry-weddingbridal-vintage

[aubabi78]

Aman and rainjewelry thanks for the suggestions and the well wishes Aman :) I am going to try adding a custom order listing and in the description I will put that they have to contact me for specifics and the price might increase depending on how custom it is :) I will come up with some way of wording it. I am excited to add it to my shop! :) I might add a few with different quantites. Thanks again for everyone's help!

[Former_Member]

I do think adding a custom charge is acceptable and I would expect it if I were the buyer. As long as it's reasonable. Obviously you won't get paid for the 12 hours of work you put into it, but maybe you could turn it around and ask them to find the perfect paper, or item and then you could just purchase it. That would save you some time and then they would definitely be getting what they wanted.