Teach Soap

Hey all. I have a question for you. I have yet to receive a large order but I am working with a lady on a pretty big one for lotion bars. What is your standard procedure for payment? Do you require payment up front or once they receive it? I would think that for a custom deal, you would want payment up front so that you are not out if they don't come through. TIA for your advice.

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Haven

How big is a large order? How well do you know her?

I don't know her at all. She contacted me through her website wanting 75 custom lotion bars. That's big for me. I have been "working" (emailing) with her for a month now trying to get everything right. I qouted her an amount and she accepted it and this morning she said to proceed. I went ahead and told her that I need payment up front. She said that was fine. So now I am just waiting. I think that was best because I am going to have to order some tins for this project and I don't want to do all of that, make them and then have nothing to do with it all and be out all that money.

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Haven

If you don't know her, I would require money up front. After that, I would require a 50% deposit.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Good for you on the order! I would have also asked for at least a 50% good faith deposit so you know you could go forward to start 1/2 the order. Or better yet 100% from the get go and then there is no issue. Make sure the check clears before starting if you can accomodate that additional wait time. Sounds like you are on your way. How exciting.

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http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

Just to be on the safe side I would make a few xtra bars incase some dont unmold perfect. That way your more likely to get orders from her again. Just a thought.

Yea, I just said that I would need to have received the check before I can complete an order that large. She said that was fine and that it would be in the mail. She doesn't need the bars until 1/15 so I have time to ensure that it clears. Thanks for the input. I do like the idea of 50% deposit. That way you can get started and then just require the remainder before the order is shipped. Linda, I always make a couple of extras just for that reason. Since it is lotion bars, it shouldn't be too much of an issue getting them to unmold but you never know.

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Haven

I've never made lotion bars. Or used them. But the 2 months after christmas is my down time and when I plan on doing some mad scientist stuff in my lab ( I mean the kitchen).

Yes I would definitely get at least 50% down for a custom order and I wouldn't feel bad about it either if I were you. You never know what people's intentions are now a days and unfortunately there are some "not so nice" people out there. I've heard of people getting product just to resell it and never pay for the order. Times are tough right now for a lot of people and schemes are getting bigger and better all the time.

And we all know about the people that call or email when you post something for sale on Craig's List. About 2 years ago my brother in law, who is a Baltimore County Police Officer, listed some stereo speakers for $200 on Craig's List. Someone from out of the country contacted him and sent him a fake cashier's check for $1000 and he actually sent these people the speakers and their change of $800 and then the check bounced so he had to eat the $800 and the loss of the saleable speakers. And he's a cop? You'd think he would have known about this scheme.

So let's be wise everyone now, especially around the holidays, there are a lot of schemes going on right now.

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Thanks!
Lisa

http://www.MySpaSecrets.Etsy.com

http://www.forgoodnessgrape.etsy.com