Deposits for custom framing orders

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I almost hate to say it, but, if the artwork is UGLY, I prefer money in advance. So far, if the artwork was left and not paid for, it was always unsellable. If it is an item you can sell at a later time, and make up you money the customer almost always picks it up.

Unfortunately I have always been stuck with ugly or damaged items.
A good rule of thumb, always ask for at least 50% deposit. Cover your cost of goods.

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Sue May :)
"Everyone is born right-handed, only the greatest can over come it!"
 
We always get a 50% deposit, if the order is discounted for any reason we get payment in advance.
When I started my business 25 years ago I had a total of $35.00 in my bank acct. I had no choice, I had to get a deposit in order to buy the moulding, mat boards, and glass to do the project. I explained this to my customers and they did not seem to mind.
During that time I went over to an old established frame shop in the neighborhood. The owner showed me a back room ( about 10 X10 ) it contained at least a hundred frame orders stacked from floor to ceiling of unclaimed work. Their shops policy was to never trouble a customer with a deposit. They also did not put unclaimed work up for sale without permission from the owner.
That was enough for me, it's simple, no deposit, no work.
John
 
50% deposit seems to be the normal request and I usually ask for just about that. And, sometimes when you request a deposit your customers will go ahead and pay in full. This saves the time of collecting money on pick up & people love to come in and get something without paying money! Also, I believe there are legal reasons why getting a deposit is a good idea -- something about making the order a true contract. ALWAYS get a deposit if they aren't leaving art for some reason or they just disappear.

TL - aka rosetl or tearose50
 
We ask for 50% and have signs on design counter to reaffirm that. We usually ask if they would like to pay in full or make a 50%deposit, lots of time they prefer to pay in full.
 
We require 30% on full framing jobs, full payment on partial. Many people will pay entire amount, or offer more than we suggest. A few will complain, now and then, saying we have ther work. When this happens, I explain we need something to ensure they will pick up their work, as we have some work even with deposits on them which have never been picked up.
 
The post by Pamela brought up another topic. What IS it with "you have my work" why should I leave a deposit.Cross stitch with names & dates, family tree posters, and the list goes on. I've had some S & M cartoon posters by some "well known" artist (I personally never heard of him and from the work, don't every want to meet him) in my shop for over l year. Got a deposit, but hate it when I pull one out looking for something else. I swear the vise squad would shut me down if I ever put them out for sale. "o
 
All of us Framing Goddesses here ask for and get AT LEAST 50% deposit. We do have a sign on our design table that says so, also. In the past, when customers would use the " but, you have my artwork..." line, I would say either something like "We are not legally permitted to sell your work if we never see you again..." but better yet, I affect the goofy sales gal look, roll my eyes, and say "OOOh my accountant YELLS at me when I don't get a deposit! He says SOMETHING about cash flow or something like that!" But really most folks understand and are HAPPY to leave a deposit. In fact they expect to-- they usually have their plastic out before I ask. God Bless Them.
 
ALWAYS 100% paid in full before doing anything... that's the policy at several companies I have worked for (or even shopped at). Even then, there is artwork left around. I'm always amazed that people will pay for something then forget about it.
 
It seems as though the standard is 50-100% deposit.

Though we have not had to follow through with the comments below, the policy is in place. Laws vary from state to state, but we are allowed to dispose of customer's art according to our attorney. It's all part of the work order (contract) that the customer signs prior to beginning the work. 30 days after due date, $1 per day storage fees apply. After 30 days, we can sell the piece to recover any costs that apply, including storage, collection, etc.

Rick - CPFcm

[This message has been edited by frugalframer (edited November 02, 2000).]
 
We require a 50% deposit unless customer is paying with Credit Card, then it's 100%. I've been doing this for 15 years with only a handfull of people in that time period complaining or negotiating the point.
 
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