Can I just ask?

[Lybo]

I wonder if anyone could tell me the right way to go about charging an "upfront" fee for a custom order? I've had a request for 5 dolls to be used as props in a film (which is quite exciting!) but they are rather specific, and I probably wouldn't be able to sell them if the original customer didn't go ahead with the sale. So, should I create a listing for say, half the amount, to be paid before I start work? Is it against etsy rules to create a listing for something that doesn't actually exist yet? Any advice would be most gratefull received!! Thank you.

[Former_Member]

No...you create a listing for the five custom dolls and put in the FULL amount of payment. Payment in full before you make them! You are doing a custom listing...you do not need the item to be made before you get paid...and I strongly urge you to get paid first!

[Lybo]

Thank you, whenever I've done custom orders before it is always for things that I know I can sell if the sale doesn't go ahead. The thing is, I've agreed to take half payment first, and although I may live to rue the day, I feel I should do it this way. I figure if the customer parts with half their money they will probably pay the full amount... am I a hopeless innocent?!

[Former_Member]

Oh, no, Lybo..I've done the same thing, depending on the case...I just meant that you are entitled to be paid up front if you choose, and people understand that custom work cannot be re-sold in many cases, so they are willing to pay in advance.

Heck...most of my custom orders, I don't ask for ANYTHING until I can photo the finished item and see if the buyer likes it, but that is because so much of it is one of a kind. If I know I can't sell it to someone else, though, I do get paid in advance.

[jill2day]

100% upfront! Should not be a problem for them. Be sure that you are both very clear on the delivery date!! and I would reiterate all the details of the design and deadlines, etc in either the listing, or in a convo where you tell them to purchase the listing.

[SavoyFaire]

Ditto 100% upfront. The film will have a budget for them anyways and should be able to pay that way.
Good luck!

[InspiredJewelryShop]

ALWAYS charge up front and make them pay before you make them. Ive learned from that mistake a few times. Always always always have them pay before ANYTHING custom is made :] It saves you from getting burned later and spending hours making something only to have them never buy it.

[NYBeadworksDesigns]

I agree with you. I feel that if you agreed to half up front for this order, you should honor that agreement. Then for the future you can do full payment as everyone suggested.

You can temporarily change the payment settings in your shop to include "other". Have them choose that at checkout and then Paypal invoice for half now and the balance later.

Good luck!

[Lybo]

Thanks everyone — it is a thorny issue, and I will learn by what happens!

[SavoyFaire]

Lybo that info would have helped us answer! lol at least half down then so you recoup your materials and could list if didn't sell.

[Lybo]

What I was really wondering was whether it was "legal" to make a listing for something that you haven't made yet — whether or not I end up stung is really my problem, I just didn't want to get in trouble for going about the technicalities of getting paid in the wrong way!

[SavoyFaire]

Aha! The old against tou's as it's not an actual product issue. You are actually providing an item or more than one in your case I believe and much like a custom items many of us do.

I'm thinking even more this issue:
Can you bill twice for one sale (item)? No not unless there is more than one item provided in that sale.

But as you have more than one you said it will be fine to have a deposit listing and a final invoice later.

What Etsy doesn't want is overstated revenue. Think this way - If the weather report comes out and says there were 456,789 items sold for the month that needs to be real numbers not 3,647 were one item billed 2 or more times broken up. So that would throw that off and not good as percents are then taken from that for the other figures.

Good example:
Yes there are wedding dress sellers who are billing deposit and final payment on their dresses.

One dress - against tou's
Two or more bridesmaids dresses all in one listing - fine and within tou's.

I personally believe Etsy doesn't go after the ones with 3 or more in a listing as it helps even out all the illegal twice billed per one item. At some point I'd like to see a more true revenue here and if they go public some day would persue this - one bill per item period. 6 bridesmaid dresses would be not 1 available but 6 and the person would click in their cart to purchase all six. Then facts would be real.

Hope that helped further?

[Lybo]

Thanks so much — there will be 5 dolls, so it would seem that I wouldn't be overstating sales! That's kind of you to take the time to explain the workings – it throws me a bit when things aren't straightforward...

[PattenCreations]

Absolutely legal to make listing for something yet to be made. And if you've agreed to half as down (and I do it all the time, sometimes thirds but always material paid up front) then you still do listing for FULL VALUE, and have customer check out with other. Send invoice for amount agreed to. Once paid then start work. Get balance via another invoice before shipping.

I think gail may already have covered this but am doing a peek, post and run this morning!

[Lybo]

... so a listing for the full amount, then when the customer checks out, what does the "other" stand for? Can they choose how much of the total they pay? Then does the listing remain? I'm confused!

[SavoyFaire]

Lybo you're very welcome and so many things for us to remember. Someone who may not do this all the time it can get worrisome and frustrating. : )

[SavoyFaire]

As you are doing more than one doll you can just make a 50% listing.
Then another as final payment when completed.
This is easiest for you and them!

If you have one item at another time yes they check out using "other" then you just bill them for half to their email via Paypal. Always spell out though "custom" and how much % is like half or third or down payment. This covers you later if anything goes wrong.
Feel free to convo me if you need any help. I answer within an hour or two usually.

[SavoyFaire]

Wanted to be clear - some wedding dress folks are billing twice for one dress and that is not correct so don't use them as an example!

[Lybo]

Thanks Gail, I think I'll go with the first option, as there are multiple parts to the order so this would be legit! Must admit, the second option (using "other") does leave me a little confused, but I will mark this thread and I may well ask you to hold my hand if this issue comes up again!!

[SavoyFaire]

Any time! Second option I've just started using myself as it is daunting for buyer and seller!

[PattenCreations]

Lybo - yes, if you have multiple items as gail said can do more than 1 listing. I just prefer a single listing for any sale regardless of how many items it contains as is easier for all involved to keep track.

The checkout with other isn't difficult (well except when someone uses it when they shouldn't). Issuing an invoice through paypal is pretty easy. Take a look at one of my tshirt quilts if you want to see some ideas on how to write up. Or you're welcome to convo me as well.

[SavoyFaire]

New buyers can have trouble with anything and just want you to be armed and ready with heads up. I have many who I've had to walk thru it but most of my customers are brand new to Etsy. Depends on a lot of variables.

[PattenCreations]

LOL! Yea Gail you're right. Some of them even have trouble figuring out how to click the purchas link!

[Lybo]

I just took a look at your "tshirt quilts" listing, Deb, that is great, it makes it much clearer to me now! Mission accomplished, thanks so much.xxx