Handmade Custom Orders

Custom Orders
First, the most important thing is have your handmade shop policies filled out and explain in detail how you handle your shop, shipping, time, non refundable deposits, Artistic
Freedom if necessary, shipping cost, time line, package material ( if you recycle), which payment processor you accept, you have to spell it all out in writing. It is
not only important, it is also very professional.

Taking custom orders can pose several challenges. Not only do you want to meet your client’s needs, but you also have to create and work within a set budget.
Your policies should reflect a step by step guide for handling custom work orders so your client is happy and the work can be profitable for you too.
You can asked for a customary 50% non refundable payment up front or the full 100% of the item you create, if it is an item you cannot easily sell to someone
else and add the shipping cost after the completion of the product.
If a client asked for a proto type made from really less expensive material I would not charge at all. For example in the Jewelry category.

Communication is the key, stay in touch with possible progress pictures, in my case that has worked very well. Do not ever start a custom order without
any kind of payment up front. I you have a Custom Order Client who is real, they will not mind doing so, others who refuse, you do not wish to deal with
them, really. Just think about it. Hope these tips will help you out a bit. Here is a example of Shop Policies, which you can adapt if you wish:

***PAYMENT: Paypal, Amazon and Money Order.

***SHIPPING: I will only ship to CONFIRMED Paypal addresses (bank account/credit card address matches Paypal address). Please be sure your
account addresses match. I ship Monday through Friday, within 1-2 days of cleared payment.

*** SMALL MOSAIC ART: USPS priority or Parcel post

***LARGE MOSAIC ART: Priority mail or UPS, with delivery confirmation and insurance. On very large Mosaic Art UPS will do the professional
packaging and the cost for it will be reflected in the shipping charges.

***RECYCLING: I do recycle CLEAN materials such as padding, peanuts, envelopes, and boxes.
I will combine shipping to save you money whenever it is possible. There will be situations were it cannot be done to protect the actual mosaic art item.
In regards to shipping cost, most of my shipping cost include the charge for professional packaging by UPS as I like for you to receive an undamaged item.
Otherwise you will pay just actual shipping cost I do not inflate those costs. The estimates I have provided are just that – estimates. Please email me your
zip code and I will be happy to quote exact shipping cost.

*** INTERNATIONAL: All international buyers will be responsible for their own taxes, customs and any other costs that are required for payment by
their respective state, country

***CUSTOM ORDERS: On custom orders it is required of the buyer to pay a NON-refundable 50% of the purchase price up front. The deposit is
forfeited if custom orders are not picked up and paid, or not paid via Paypal upon COMPLETION. You will receive a Paypal bill reflecting the other 50%
of the purchase price and it is due immediately plus any applicable shipping charges. Please communicate regularly, no communications from the buyer for
4 weeks will be taken as cancellation of the custom order. On occasion I will wait 5 days for payment after invoice is send – before someone will forfeit
their deposit. However this agreement is in effect if the buyer and seller have been in communications about this issue of paying within 5 days.

*** RETURNS: We do not accept returns due to the fact that I am producing one of a kind handmade custom made items. We will make every effort
to make things right with you, but do not accept returns of the item. We are not responsible for damage that occurs thru transport by the shipper i.e. USPS
or UPS, however will file a claim for you if you insured the item. Pictures of the damage are REQUIRED or the damaged item is even requested by the Shipping
companies.

Also See Working your way through a Custom Order for more reference.

Written by My European Touch

Tags: custom orders, Handmade, Handmade Artists, handmade custom orders, shipping tips, shop policies, special orders