Customer doesn’t want a maker’s mark

[Bant]

On 11/15/2019 at 10:23 AM, fredk said:

I'll throw in my $2 worth (inflation)

For over 20 years I made custom medieval style items with no maker's mark. Only year before last I got one made. Sometimes I use it sometimes I don't

But - see below,

Some customers do care  plus its handy to see who made it in cases of returned work. I've had several items come to me, supposedly my work returned cos it was shoddy or falling apart. The customer swearing blind they bought it from me at a such'n'such craft fair. On two occasions there was a maker's mark which I showed the punter ~~ 'Not mine - his', on other occasions I had to argue that I never attended any such craft fairs - I never did attend them, punters found me, usually down in t'pub. I got the maker's mark stamp made cos customers wanted my stamp on it, so they could show others they got it from me. Its embarrassing really but its like an artist signing one of their paintings.

If the customer doesn't want your stamp on it then don't put it on.

I have a simple rule which has solved arguments in designs, patterns et cetera - who is paying the bill? they get what they want

Sir, in the above post, you made reference to punter.  Would you please educate me as to the meaning?

[fredk]

Punter = an Ulsterism or Scots for a paying customer

[Double Daddy]

Kinda in the same boat as JLS. Got a repeat customer that insists that I put my mark on ever'thang...real prominent like so that it can be seen (I usually place it inconspicuously on the back side of holsters or inside of portfolios and wallets, etc). One holster I made for him irritated him somehow and rather than consult with me so we could remedy the issue (which might have included me replacing it altogether), he "fixed" it himself (i.e. he butchered it by cutting off the sweat shield where I normally put my MM and removed said extra layer of leather,  and "smoothed the edges himself with dish soap    ).  He was very proud of his "handiwork" and sent me a picture. My response was as expected: any warranty related to that item was subsequently voided and I fully expected him to NEVER tell a LIVING SOUL where he had that item crafted. He seemed immune to the insult...he has since purchased several other items from me (holsters, belts, etc). 

John Q Public is a fickle beast, indeed...

[cpirtle]

I use a very small makers mark that's only 9/16" across. I have a larger one and thought it looked too billboard-ish. I figured it's more about the leather than the mark and someone who wants to know who made it can find it. 

I've had people ask to leave them off and I do, and I've had people ask for bigger but I threw that stamp away. One customer even asked me to make him a key chain with my makers mark on it, said I should include one with every order.. lol. I didn't tell him I spent almost as much time making him a one-off keychain as I did the sheath he ordered.