Hypothetical question re: customs

[Skeen]

So, this hasn't happened yet but it has the potential to become a problem so I thought I'd ask and see what the consensus is.

Most of my plushies are from commissions, and so far no one has flaked on paying/finishing a transaction but I have a few transactions right now where I'm having trouble getting in contact with the other party.  In 2 cases, work has been started or has been finished. 

My question is, if I can't get in contact with these people (who have paid no money yet, since the plushies were simple and I had the materials already), how long should I hang on to their plush before trying to sell it on?  So far the transactions in question aren't OC's so the characters are ones I might be able to sell.  Obviously I have to keep trying to get in contact, and I have, but at what point do I say enough is enough and try to recoup money for the hours/materials I spent on these?

Like I said, this hasn't happened yet.  I just worry when it comes to my plushies because I put so much effort and time into each of them. 

[sunshine29102]

Skeen, your plushies are ADORABLE!    I'm sure it takes quite a bit of time and money/materials for each one you make.  I just can't fathom anyone flaking out on purchasing one.  I mean, how could anyone NOT want to get one in their possession as soon as possible? LOL

When's the last time you were in contact with the buyer(s)?  A week? A month? Longer?

[rosierjay]

i would say 2 weeks at the max.
if you've been trying to contact them and they haven't replied. something might have happened that they might not even be able to pay you right now.

in your next message let them know that if they don't contact you in the next two weeks you will be opening up the opportunity for others to buy the plush.
if there's no downpayment yet, its reasonable.
hope it all works out, and i can't wait to see the reveal! i love your plushes!!

ps. maybe next year another plushie swap? i've been practicing!

[ponyqueen]

I don't know... The holidays are coming. You could hold onto the plushies for a month, waiting to hear back, and if nothing it's still early December- great shopping time. Heck, I'd probably hold out listing anything until early December anyhow, just to wait for the hottest buying time.

[bluerose9978]

If this starts happening more than once, what I would do is start requiring that they pay half upfront and the other half once you're finished and maybe you wouldn't have this problem in the future. They would be more likely not to flake out if they already have money into the transaction. I'm sorry I can't be of help for your current problem.

[CoonhoundBetty]

Definitely need to require a deposit, to at least cover the cost of your supplies (even if you already have them on hand). Two weeks is enough time to try and contact them; that's usually how paychecks fall.

[Galactica]

Skeen:

I recommend:
1) prepayment for your plushies- seriously- you are well established enough that people know you are not going to just accept payment and skip town. If they can't afford pre-payment, they probably won't be any more likely to afford to pay later, sadly.

2) If not, at LEAST take a reasonable non-refundable deposit, especially if you are doing an OC. The price should be big enough to deter someone from commissioning you on a whim, and then realizing that they can't afford to pay the rest of it- or deter them from changing their mind. Consider your audience.  Consider a larger deposit for OCs, since those would be very hard to sell later on.

3) Make it clear on the outset that deposit is forfeited and the plushie will be available for sale to anyone at 7-10 days following the completion of the commission. 

[Skeen]

Sunshine - In the first case it's been months (she was on a wait list and was fine with that; I'd had the embroidery finished since maybe June anyway), and in the second case since late September when I made the order for his fabric.  One of them has been online recently and the other has not.  I PMed the admin of the board the agreements were made on to see about getting email addresses.  (your OC is darling, btw!)

I do require deposits for OC's (half of full payment) because they're not something I can sell to anyone else.    I didn't want to take deposits for non-OC's because I work so slowly and didn't want to have people out money for months while I catch up or work out a tricky pattern, but I can see I'm going to have to start doing that. 

So, 2 weeks is about long enough?  Thanks guys! 

[Sarahlacewing]

I don't think the timeline really matters as long as you message them and make every effort to let them know what deadline you have selected. Then, if you don't hear from them by the time that deadline rolls around, then it is their loss.