Do you charge extra for

[Former_Member]

Custom orders? I know we have the ability now to do custom orders and listings, but I'm curious to know whether Sellers here actually charge for it.

[Former_Member]

It actually depends on the custom orders, if its few changes here and there then I dont charge, but if it involves additional supplies to make it, then the pricing is different.

[SnarkFactory]

If it's a design that fits in with my shop and I can sell again, then no I will not charge extra. If it's something that is specific to them and takes additional time, then yes I'll quote them a price that takes those factors into account.

[Former_Member]

Thanks..

[SnarkFactory]

You're welcome..

[Former_Member]

I don't. I'm a supply shop so custom orders don't cost any extra.

[Former_Member]

It depends on what the customer wants...if it's a scarf in a certain colour way and I have the yarn ready to go, then I won't charge more. However, if its an order for something large, like a baby wrap, or I need to order and dye some specific yarn then I will charge more for the item.

[Former_Member]

I do not charge extra for custom orders. I opened my shop with the intent to have items for sale that will also serve as inspiration for people who want items in a specific color, design, etc.

[PAPERFLORISTS]

Most everything in my shop is meant to be personalized and customized so, no, I don't charge extra for custom orders.

[Former_Member]

custom orders are charged like normal orders, they are only more expensive if the size is different and the prize is made up according to my formula.

[LeNidDeFleurs]

It depends on what the person wants... if it's a few changes then not much, but I usually add 10-15$ if they want an overhaul...

[xoxocrocheted]

If I don't have to get unusual yarn or buttons, or buy a new pattern, then no I don't charge more for it. But if they are adding something or asking you to make a few samples, etc. I suggest charging a bit more OR making sure they pay 50% up front.

[Former_Member]

I haven't been charging a custom fee, so I'm now assuming that the Request custom listing button is just for an independent type of note to the Seller asking for something different than what is being sold.

[StuffJustStuff]

It depends if its more time consuming and I need new materials

[LovgrenandDaughter]

Us too basically; if it's not a huge difference from our usual but if it's a returning customer probably not very much more ($5-10).

In the slow months of the summer we will do it no charge as the slow months draaaaggggg on it's a way of keeping fresh and not angsting about the stats.

[LaLindaArtStudio]

Yes, I do charge more for Custom Orders, unless it is from a simple Custom Order listing I already have. My jewelry pieces are all one of a kind, but they are what I happen to make to my liking. If I Custom Make a piece of jewelry to someone else's specifications, then it takes me much more time and energy to create and visualize than if it came from my own creativity and imagination.

[Former_Member]

The more I think about this the more I'm wondering if I should on special embroidery type items. I know of several requests that have asked for a different design which in turn requires me to design it on my software, send a draft, maybe redo it or add or minus something and then send another draft etc.

hmm

[sunshineandvodka]

Most of my items are custom items, especially my wedding dress labels but I price them accordingly. If there is an extraordinary request I do charge an additional fee, but it's usually small and is communicated up front. If someone wants an extra line of text added, it does require me to re-digitize each design so yes, I would suggest you charge a small fee for it. I know how much time it takes and you should charge for your time!

I personally don't charge enough for my custom items but I enjoy making them and don't want to price myself out of the market either. I had one item digitized years ago and couldn't believe what they charged for it. It was simple text....

add a small fee and see how it goes.

[TinyTiptoesBoutique]

It depends on the custom order, but usually, yes. I definitely do charge more if I need to order special supplies for it. If it's something I already have in my stash, sometimes not.

[Former_Member]

There are a few things here I didn't even consider, so thank you all for your input!

[BlackCatStudio98]

@Sarah, you mmake baby wraps? That's awesome! And can be quite lucrative. :)

[maydaylabels]

Right now all my stuff is custom so I don't charge extra (and I know I go a lot further for customers as far as custom stuff than most label sellers on Etsy).

I think the Pareto principle probably applies: 20% of your customers are 80% of the work :)

But when I was sewing, I did charge more for custom, just to cover the extra time for making the pattern or sourcing/ordering materials. Sometimes I was able to turn that custom pattern into a regular listing that I sold repeatedly, in which case I offered a discount to the customer for future orders, but generally it was a one-off.

I found more success with setting up a custom listing in my shop where there was a basic pattern but people could choose any fabric (100% cotton) on the internet that was less than a certain $ per yard (something like $10/yard); that way, you get custom orders, but you don't have to change the pattern or worry about crazy unexpected supplies costs.

You have a great shop that looks like it has a chance to really take off, so it's good to work out what you want to do about things like this beforehand.

[maydaylabels]

like this type of thing for instance:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/103343420/turquoise-and-white-nursing-cover?ref=shop_home_active

You could do a couple of variations:
1 would have a variety (as large as you can manage without being insane) of fabric choices
2 would be monogramming (if you can do it) and you would price with an extra charge

or actually maybe 2 would be 1 so you could vary the price by monogram/no monogram

at any rate, the variations can help a lot with custom

[maydaylabels]

finally, sunshine and vodka, those wedding dress labels are amazing :) how cool is it that you can get something that personalized (and well made) these days?

[SiggyJewelry]

I price every one of my items differently depending on the number of stones, and elements in them and the prices of the different stones. So, I don't necessarily charged extra, but if the order has a lot more floral elements for example, which are more expensive, I charge accordingly. What I haven't done so far and probably should is charge for the time that I spend making a custom order, which is usually a lot more time consuming than the items that I already have listed, considering all the changes made and pictures that I send the customer in every step of the way.