Originally Posted by plainjane

I think a $100 deposit would be very reasonable. If payments need to be made, they could be made during the time you are making the quilt, and when it is finished, you have full payment. Most business will require a full payment for a special order. You own your own business and you can make your own rules.

Originally Posted by joan_quilts

Ok, I have 2 quilts people wanted. I told the one lady her quilt would be ready to ship the first of November. She saw it back in July, and she knew the price back then. She asked me last week if I would take payments. I said NO.

She has ordered from me before, but this quilt is a twin size, all hand quilted and won 3rd place at a quilt show. Her story is she has bills and just can't afford it all right now. I told her that was ok, because I would hold onto the quilt until December and then I would offer to sell it to someone else.

Another lady, after seeing this quilt, asked me to make her a full sized quilt kind of like it. Her husband just loves John Deere and these quilts had a John Deere theme.

So, I make this quilt, it also placed 3rd in the contest under its category, and I called the lady who wanted to come by and get it.

She stopped by on Friday, said how much she loved it, but "just can't afford it" right now. Uh-huh, that meant she wanted me to lower my price, a price she agreed on BEFORE I made it.

From now on, I am going to ask for a $100 deposit, non-refundable, on my quilts. I have close to that much in the fabric and other material needed alone.

Why do people "ask" for things, offer to pay and then "change their minds"? If they can't afford a quilt, don't ask me to make one

I guess this is another lesson well learned, sigh.

Originally Posted by LaurieE

Another option would be to have a contract between you and the client. Basically the client would have to sign a piece of paper stating the price and whatever other conditions you have (i.e. a deposit or other payment arrangements, etc) before you begin the work. They would think twice before signing the contract because that's a legal document and you could then take them to court since they commissioned work from you. That would certainly stop the 'I can't afford this right now' hoping you would lower the price.

Originally Posted by joan_quilts

I don't charge that much for my quilts. I am asking $350 for each of these quilts, mainly to cover the costs of material. Heck, trying to get paid for the hours upon hours of hand quilting, well, you never get it all back.

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions! I have learned the hard way, again, but will stick to my guns from now on.

I love when people tell me "it can't cost THAT much for fabric". And, I can buy one for a lot less at Penney's. Sure you can, but mine is and orginal and will last years and years, and it is not going to fall apart after 3 washings.