Refusing a job?

[wildrose]

I've had someone write me asking for a Bible cover. He has admitted he has OCD. (is obsessive compulsive) His requests bear this out (i.e.: "NO brown, anywhere, at all" as if this was a BIG deal for him) Also, it is a REALLY detailed project. I know I'm capable of doing it, just not sure I want to.

Thoughts?

[Luke Hatley]

send him to U K RAY...........

IF YOU HAVE YOUR DOUBTS..........DONT.

[HARVEY]

I've had someone write me asking for a Bible cover. He has admitted he has OCD. (is obsessive compulsive) His requests bear this out (i.e.: "NO brown, anywhere, at all" as if this was a BIG deal for him) Also, it is a REALLY detailed project. I know I'm capable of doing it, just not sure I want to.

Thoughts?

I suppose the question to ask yourself is: can I actually satisfy this customer? If he upfront acknowledges he's OCD and QUITE particular (i.e., demanding), either you best get the ground rules set from the get-go, or maybe pass. You emphasize, Holly, it's a REALLY detailed project.

How much is this customer/client going to eat your heart out, and, at how many hours' expense??

Harvey

Los Angeles

[mulefool]

after 25 years in business I know to pay attention to that little voice that tells me I don't really want that job. Ignore that voice at your peril! Chris

[FredF]

Wildrose,

I think if he has OCD in a clinical sense, then you run a pretty good risk of not being able to please this guy. On the other hand, if he is saying that he is OCD just to let you know that he is very particular then if you feel you can do the job, by all means jump on it. I think challenges like this force us to be more careful and do better work, which ultimately makes us better at what we do. If he is just extremely particular, I personally would take the challenge and work hard to make it the best bible cover out there. If he has OCD I would steer clear, but if you decide to take the job anyway, I would make sure to get paid up front so that you don't expose yourself to a loss. Just my 2 cents.

[Suze]

If yo don't think you can "Please" this man - tell him no

another thing

If he would bail on paying for the cover COULD you sell it to someone else? (like would it have HIS name or something on it that would make it impossiable to sell?)

Or would it be just too strange to sell?

If you could sell it elsewhere I think that I might give it a shot. If it was personlized in some way no I wouldn't do it.

[Timbo]

If you think you can do it and make him happy go for it...........but, tell him after all the details are worked out and it is done to his specifications any changes or things he does not like will cost him more. Be sure and get it paid 100% up front though and tell him that it is not refundable once the leather has been cut out for his project. Don't hesitate to tell him all this because he didn't have a problem telling you all of his "stuff" up front.

Personally I would pass.

Tim

[Timd]

I think the Tims are on the same wavelength on this. Definitely 100% up front, with artwork agreed on before cutting starts.

[Bree]

It's your business. You make the call on who you will produce custom work for and under what circumstances. I have turned down jobs... some with pretty substantial price tags and at times when I didn't know how I was going to make the mortgage payment. Nevertheless, they violated my sense of what is right and good for me in a pretty big way. Looking back, I feel good about standing up for my own values.

[wildrose]

I love a good challenge, that stretches my ability levels, which is why I'm considering it. Plus, the subject matter interests me. Plus a good friend sent him my way.

I do take 100% up front on jobs like this: custom, not able to be sold to anyone else. And I do a paper-plan/layout of what will be done before we agree on me doing it.

I'm confident enough about the design work (oak leaf corners, a cross, a knight, his name and Holy Bible); what worries me is the interior layout (pockets, notepad holder, pen holders) and the amount of Bible verses he wants. I cannot stamp them, because they are too long and need to be too small. I have a set of really tiny letters (I think they were for metalworkers), but they don't line up right all the time, and I don't want to do them for such a thing. So do I print it, then trace and carve the letters? Or do I just "free hand" it with fine tip fabric markers (which I've done before)?

And he wants the whole thing BLACK! ('cept some silver here and there)

Oh....and he doesn't even have the Bible yet....