Custom Orders...How do you do it?

I've been thinking about doing custom orders for my pyrography but I'm not sure where to start as in how do I choose what to offer, how much I price, etc.

I was wondering if everybody would share their tips and wisdom on offering custom orders in their business?

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Permalink Reply by Maggie Knight on March 7, 2010 at 6:52pm: I don't know if this is helpful since I have a different sort of craft (cross stitch and pattern design), but this is what I do:

I have in the Alchemy section if my Etsy shop (and on my other shops, just in the announcement) what exactly I do for custom orders and I simply say to contact me for details. Have someone explain to you exactly what they want so you know if you can deliver the item. Then, if we agree that I will do the custom work, I set up a listing for 1/2 the purchase price and list it as "supply purchase and commitment to complete project". Then the other 1/2 and postage is due upon completion.

If it is under $100, I require up front payment. For custom orders over $100, I do the 1/2 and 1/2 thing. If you'd like to look at my Etsy alchemy section and see my wording, feel free to check it out: http://www.magpienight.etsy.com
And if you look through my sold items, you will see some of the custom orders as well.

Hope this helps!

-Maggie :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by WhatKnotShop on March 8, 2010 at 7:04am: I get a few custom orders usually based on an item in my shop. Since most of them are fast to create I will set up a reserved listing after determining the design and size needed. I don't use the Alchemy utility and most of my customers don't seem to know about it.

I have also done some business directly off my blog site by way of a PayPal invoice sent to the buyer. I'm strict about receiving payment before shipping. I will begin a custom project for a buyer who has done business with me before but never ship without payment in full. Sometimes it takes longer than I expect but I've only had one or two non-payment issues in the past year.

$.02

george; ▶ Reply to This