Talk about under-appreciated? Quilters must encourage each other, because no one else will!

Janet/Michigan

I, too have been"squeezed" out of items by "friends" I have painted ceramics for years, and crocheted many years and many items. I quickly learned to get "up front" money to cover cost of whatever supplies were needed. I then made and order in triplicate, of item and due date of delivery. I gave the customer one, and kept one to use for taxes, and one to be with order. I haven't had problems since I started that practice. I think it helps people realize we are in business, and not doing this just to "pass the time".

I agree - it should be a legal document binding the purchaser to the seller. You need to protect yourself before beginning a project

Ask for half up front and advise that it is non-refundable..that way if they back out you get paid for your time. I also would suggest that they buy the material. I have found that if they buy it they are even less likely to back out. Always have it in writing too. I have a receipt book with carbon copies, They get the original & I get the copy.

I make a copy of the agreement for the customer and I do also have a receipt book. Most of my customers like to go into my fabric room and pick out their fabric.Some want to buy their fabric and for those and I give them a print-out of the cut sheet from the quilt pattern. At the bottom of the agreement I cut a small square of the fabrics they chose and attach it to the agreement.

I have 1 repeat customer who pays me the 1/2 down and then comes in each week and pays on the quilt so that when her quilts are done, she doesn't owe me anything.

That's the same thing I do. When I finish the quilt, I call the customer. I tell them that the quilt is done and how long it will be available for pick-up. If they have not come to get it by the 4rd week, then I call to see if they still want the quilt. But if they say no,I am ready to give them their deposit back.

We were in another kind of at home business, and people want and expect you to do it for nearly nothing. Eventually we closed shop as we were loosing rather than gaining income. Go for the half down at least. People wont want to give up that much money for nothing, so will pay the rest. btdt

you have earned the deposit. They should not get it back. Maybe a small portion, if your feeling generous. Your expenses and time are worth that.

If they don't want the quilt, why would you give the deposit back? A deposit is yours. It goes toward the item if the customer takes it, and is yours if they don't. That's why you take a deposit.