? 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.

Good luck. I just donate my quilts, so I don't have any dealings like that.

I think most people know it's nonrefundable. However, I would mention it in the agreement. "In the event the client (customer, buyer) decides (declines to) not to take delivery on the finished quilt, the deposit will be forfeited and the quilt will be sold after 30 days". Or something to that effect.

bkay

What most people know, and what they'll later claim are two different things. In your contract where you are requiring a deposit, simply insert the word: "non-refundable" before deposit, then complete your deposit required amount. If you wish, describe the deposit as being one-half of the total cost of the quilt to your customer. JMHO. My husband was a cabinet maker, had his own shop, but if there's some way someone could "get out of" a deal for kitchen cabinets/custom furniture, etc., they'll do it if they're short of money! You just need to protect yourself without going overboard! Again, JMHO!