Setting up custom listings?

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

After debuting my candles at my first craft show yesterday, I feel motivated to add some custom listings to my Etsy shop. A lot of people were asking for specific scent mixtures that I didn't have available at the moment, but could certainly make possible if they placed a custom order. I sell the candles wholesale to one antique shop in particular and her orders are always custom and varied. Luckily, we iron out all the details over the phone or in person so there's no chance of getting negative feedback or having a Paypal dispute or anything.

So my question is, HOW do I set up a listing for something so diverse? My candles come in all shapes and sizes, so the prices would vary depending on what exactly they want. Should I choose a set amount, such as 1 dozen candles, and make listings such as "1 dozen custom 4 oz tins" and give that a set price, and then make a listing for '1 dozen 8 oz glass jars" and give that it's own set price as well?

I'm concerned that if I put a set price on the listing and someone orders it without speaking with me first then the price is set in stone. So what if the customer ends up adding all kinds of details on that raise the price? How will I be guaranteed that they'll pay me for the extras?

Is this making any sense? I'd appreciate any advice from successful custom order sellers! Thank you!

[HausofAriella]

If think maybe making the listing for a set price and giving them the options for that price, the adding at the bottom the other options and how much extra they would cost and letting people know that they should message you before buying if they want the extras. Of course, even if they buy that listing and want the extras, as long as you've told them how much more it will be, you could always just modify their invoice afterward.

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

Can I modify it after if they paid through Paypal?

[HausofAriella]

I'm not sure if you can modify it after they've paid (though I feel like there is - does anyone else know?), but you could always send them another invoice for the extras. I'm not sure how it would work with direct checkout though. If all else fails and someone buys something directly but wants extras, you could cancel the order and have them repurchase it as a new listing. Of course, it might be easier to offer custom candles with whatever options for one price, then have a separate listing for the candles with the extras options. What kind of details are you worried about people adding?

[SugarSidewalk]

I do a lot of custom work and sometimes people add on extras after they buy.

I am not sure if this is the correct way to do it, but what I have done is to create a second listing for them in my reserved section that describes the extras and references the original order.

Customers have always been willing to pay and have had no issue doing a second listing.

Like I said, I could be doing this wrong but it seems to work. :)

Also, in my custom listings I make it very clear what is customizable and what options they have. Also, I say explicitly what is included in the listing.

I sometimes get people asking for alternatives before they buy which allows me toI create a custom listing for them. Some don't though and they will buy first and ask for the extra in the message to seller box.

I simply reply that I would be happy to add the extra item, here's how much that costs.

There was one case where a customer said she couldn't afford it - but she was adding A LOT. So we switched to silver plate and it worked out fine.

[Former_Member]

not you cant "modify" it...you can send them an additional Invoice they may or may not pay.
That whole thing sounds like trouble to me. They think it's all the list price, didnt read it all.

Think it be better to set up a listing for each size/amount of candles...so the only custom part they are picking is the scents.
you can link between the different sizes in each listing.

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

Thank you Hope & Breanna. I'm going to take all your advice and come up with some listings. Very helpful, thanks!