Re: Everything A Vendor Has To Deal With...
Hi, well I didn't read everything through but I will make a few points now and then maybe write more fully when I have more time.
Yes, it's a very tricky issue and one should have a plan for how they are going to conduct business. I can imagine how frustrating it is when you want to please a client but they keep changing their order or try to haggle on price AFTER it was agreed.
A few ground rules I employ:
Clearly list how you will conduct the order in the first email. This includes mentioning if shipping is included or not (and shipping charges), that the prices are fixed (or if you will give a discount for multiple orders, how many and how much) so you will not partake in bargaining, how much you payment you expect before the outfit is started, that you expect the remainder to be paid before shipping on the outfit's completion (you can say that you will take photo of the final product to satisfy the buyer), that you will supply a full measurement template and instructions for the outfit in question (this places the onus on the buyer to supply you with proper measurements as per your guidelines), that the buyer must carefully detail and list any and all changes or requirements in an outfit (you can only be held responsible if you mess up on any of the things they mentioned)... i could go on but you get the idea.
Yes, you want to build up goodwill in the first transaction with a client and therefore have a tendency to be more accommodating or supply outfits with zero profit but there are limits and you need to ensure that you are not being taken advantage of. Sometimes you go through a lot of hard work with a buyer on their outfit and then they pull out at the last minute; it's difficult to deal with when it's a new business. If at any point you feel that the buyer's intention is you mess you around, it can be best to respectfully decline to take the order, or say that you will accept it when they have finalised what they want in their own mind and ready to pay the deposit. If someone has paid for an order and wants a lot of updates (swatches, photos etc) it's understandable and something you have to deal with to the best of your ability.