Help with pricing

[Kolton45]

Hi I'm still pretty new to leatherwork and do it mostly as a hobby but most of the work I do is custom orders from Facebook or Instagram or just word of mouth and I have not set a standard for pricing yet and find it very difficult to think about hahah I typically will ask people how much they were trying to spend and go from there and tell them what I can or cant do for the price they say so any advise on that would be much appreciated and also another question when to get the money I have always done pay when pickup but I have had people who take weeks sometimes months to pick up stuff and so far only one who hasn't picked up at all so how do you guys go about collecting money? I've been thinking about doing 100% up front for anything with name or initials

[Alexis1234]

I have never sold any of my work,lol... but I know others that typically get at least 50% down on a custom order- if not 100%. The best words of advice I was ever given  was from a local harness maker" Do yourself and everyone in this industry a favor... charge what you are worth". Hope this helps: a little :)

[cowhide]

after40 years of doing custom work my advice is , if u put anything on it that u can not resell, then u need to get 100% before u make. also on anything also get a 50% deposit

[Kolton45]

What do you use to collect money PayPal or one of those new apps they have? Cause like I said most of my orders are from social media so I dont typically see the people until pick up

[JLSleather]

Paypal is painless.  There are other 'versions' now that didn't exist before, but Paypal has always treated me well (and still do).

As for money, I recommend billing up front for anybody you don't know.  I HAVE done work prior to payment, but only if it's something I would normally make and sell anyway.  AS A RULE (and I do break them);

• Basket stamped belts - I probably have some on hand most of the time.
• Holster for a model I make frequently - no bill up front most of the time.
• Tooled belts with patterns I already have - pay a deposit, amount depending on a few things.
• "Normal" work flow items, but requires additional materials not usually in the shop (such as exotic leathers or unusual hardware) - pay for the "extras" up front, but not the whole item.
• Tooled and/or stamped with names, initials,  or custom (and off the path) colors or shapes -- payment in full before I start that.

[Kolton45]

Ok thanks for all of the advise I'm gona figure out how to use the PayPal and deffinetly start charging up front from now on 

[cdthayer]

7 hours ago, Kolton45 said:

I typically will ask people how much they were trying to spend and go from there

That's probably the best thing you're doing at this point Kolton45. That one important question will tell you a lot about what the Buyer has in mind (or, if they're out of their mind). Some people who don't do crafts of any kind don't realize what is involved to make an item just to their specifications.

The only other thing that I would mention, is to not let friendship determine who pays up front and who doesn't. Get a plan together on what gets paid when to avoid being left holding the bag for non-payers, and then stick with that plan for everyone.  Friends included. Lots of friendships have been ruined because of what the friend is supposed to pay and when.

CD in Oklahoma

[cdthayer]

I forgot to add, that although we have PayPal for online payments, we also use SquareUp for on-site credit card payments.  It used to be free for the gadget to go on a Smartphone to swipe cards, but we've had to buy the updated gadget that reads chips and swipes cards both.  We like SquareUp and have used it for several years.  I hear that PayPal may have a similar gadget for Smartphones now.

CD in Oklahoma

[JLSleather]

28 minutes ago, cdthayer said:

I hear that PayPal may have a similar gadget for Smartphones now.

Yup, we use PayPal card readers.

[bikermutt07]

Also, make sure to mention changes in your pitch. You will find people who think you can just throw something on anywhere in the process. Make it very clear to them that if they change their mind along the way, they have to pay for that also. 

Be firm, but fair.