Originally Posted by lynmccoy
If my customer decides that for some reason they can't afford the rest of the cost or they have changed their mind, then I feel I should give their deposit back. After all,it's not their quilt anymore. Most of the time it doesn't go that far. If there's a family or financial problem while I'm making their quilt,they will call and talk to me about it.I'll usually finish the quilt and sell it someone else .My repeat customers know that I run my shop like a business,but also know that there are unexpected problems. They tell their friends and co-workers about my rules so they what to expect.
What happens if you end up discounting the quilt because it is 'their' taste? Their deposit should be used to make up the difference. You should not take a hit in price because they are unable to pay for it. You can make an exception for special circumstances, but....
We once had a guy come buy an old piece of farm equipment from my husband, then the check bounced. This was NOT an emergency purchase of farm equipment! Their excuse was that they had to make a payment on the NEW pickup they'd just bought. "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine, and it is not my place to make sure you can make your pickup payment." They were given 24 hours to bring us the cash or have the bounced check turned over to the Sheriff for prosecution. Funny....they came up with the money....