? On Contract with Customers
 

Am getting ready to send customer a contract to sign for a quilt she has requested from me. Have agreed on price, fabrics and am asking for 1/2 down payment. My ? is should I have a portion of nonrefundable amount in case she decides she doesn't want the finished product? This person lives in Fl.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I think the deposit should be non refundable. It should cover the cost of the materials but not necessarily all your time. As long as the person realizes that by only paying half, the quilt is not theirs. Even halfway finished. If you are thinking of adding a changing your mind fee in addition, I don't think so. Once the finished quilt is presented, if they don't like it, they don't pay the other half. But the quilt is yours.

i agree that the deposit should be non-refundable unless she cancels before you buy the fabric.

Same as QuiltnNan

I don't see any point to a refundable deposit; it wouldn't protect you, which is the reason for the deposit. I would set it out to her just as toverly explained. Make sure there is an understanding between you on all points!

So do I need to specify that the deposit is nonrefundable?

Yes. If not she would want all the money back if she didn't want it.

My deposit is always non- refundable. I let the person who is commissioning a quilt know that the deposit is used to purchase the fabrics, materials needed to start the quilt. The balance is due upon completion. When long distance commission I send photos of the finished quilt and a final invoice. Once final payment is received including shipping and insurance fees I package the quilt and send it on its way. In fifteen years I've only had one person decide she didn't want her quilt, she was local and never saw the finished quilt. I had called and arranged a time to deliver it and the day I was taking it to her she called and said ... I decided I don't want it..... no explanation. I sent her a letter stating she had thirty days to pay for the quilt or forfeit any rights to it, and would lose her deposit. After the thirty days I sold the quilt for three times what I was asking her to pay.

Yes
everything needs to be written out.