Terms And Conditions Apply...

[UKRay]

I've just spent a week reading people's websites - concentrating on their 'terms and conditions of business'. Not just looking at the pictures but reading the text very closely. I have come away from this experience a lot wiser and a lot more confident that what I've put together for my own website is pretty close to the mark. Note: I said 'close' to the mark because I don't think I've got it quite right yet- which is why I'm here!

I have seen the sites that go on at length about how they are sick of dealing with people who commission a wallet with an obscure name on it and then vanish without paying... they don't want any more people changing their minds half-way through a job... they don't want people who phone every day to check out progress... they don't want people who... you've got the idea.

I've seen sites that don't have any terms and conditions at all. How do you begin to trust those people when you don't know the rules they work to?

I've seen the sites that pay a kind of 'lip service' to terms and conditions but they don't actually say anything constructive.

I need a set of terms and conditions that set out how I do business. I want to make it clear that my way is the only way I'll work unless changes are negotiated first.

What do you want from your 'terms and conditions of business' and how do you word your document?

Ray

[UKRay]

Don't you guys use a 'terms and conditions of business' document in the US?

I thought they were internationally accepted.

Ray

[Shorts]

I like terms and conditions, I just don't put up complicated versions

First and foremost I require full payment up front. There are no orders without payment, period. A customer is not only buying my material goods, they are buying my time. I am on the clock the minute payment arrives in my possession.

The complication of T&Cs will probably vary by the type of work being done. For gunleather my rules are basic. That is because my work does not generally involve a personal or completely unique element. If one guy doesn't buy the item I can sell it to someone else.

For requested items I don't advertise as a normal item I think long and hard before committing to build it. Part of that is because my time and skill is better spent on my patterned items. A few slight changes or additions I'll agree to do. Changes like that I do label as a custom order and as such it will not be eligible for any kind of refund or exchange. It makes the customers think long and hard about their ideas and most of all, their money. I don't like chasing my tail on orders. I'm laid back and easy to work with but I'll say no.

Overall I think the best Term and Condition is to discuss every aspect of the order to get to the bottom of the details before saying yes or no. When it comes down to any dispute, the trail of email communication is the judge. If it was stated in the email, it is the contract.

Edited April 17, 2010 by Shorts