[azdesigns]

Looking for some seasoned help. I recently quoted a t-shirt job for some reunion shirts. The customer wanted a price for 50 shirts with transfers on both front and back. I use transfer express so I have that part taken care of and also have the shirt supplies taken care of. My problem has came in when she contacted me via email stating she wanted me to do 2 shirts asap and to let her know when they were done. Problem is that I quoted her on the qty of 50 shirts not 2. I guess I am in kind of panic that she takes the 2 shirts and shops around and I loose monies, as it is a whole lot cheaper to order the fifty transfers than one or five of each. Should I have asked for a deposit when I first gave her a quote? How do I back track and tell her about expenses of ordering a few instead of what I thought I was quoting for. Her delivery time is in two weeks for the whole job. This really caught me off guard. Been doing shirts for a while now and this is a first of this concern for me. Any body have any types of forms or statements they generally use. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[veedub3]

You quoted her for a job of fifty shirts, call her up and calmly let her know that to get started on her order you will need a deposit of ??%. Once she gives you the deposit for the 50 shirt order, I would just press the two shirts she needs right away and deliver the other 48 at the agreed upon time. If she balks at giving you a deposit for the 50 shirts and just wants to pay for two shirts then re-quote her for the two shirts which will be much higher, and explain to her why it is higher.

I always get a deposit from the customer regardless. If I buy the shirts and the transfers and never hear from that customer again I will have to take that loss. Why??? If they want custom shirts done by me they will put up a deposit and only AFTER I have received the deposit will I order the items necessary to complete their order. If they never come back then all I have wasted is time but their deposit pretty much covers all my upfront expenses.

 

[jayman2143]

Always get a deposit before making any t-shirt or transfer purchases. For me, I won't order any supplies or t-shirts for the customer until 100% or, at the least, 75% of the final cost is cleared and paid. Saves me future headaches.

 

[JAF]

The quote was for 50 pcs. If they want 2 shirts I would price it so it is fair to you. Charge enough for your materials, time & a profit. I would get 100% payment up front for these 2 pcs.
If they do order the other 48 (which I doubt they will) then I would get a 50% deposit. Balance COD.

One of the internet T shirt places is charging $55 for 2 dark shirts with a one color print, one location.

If I don't know the customer I always get a deposit. Usually 50% will cover my costs.

 

[n.signia]

Its always best to get a deposit, and if you let them know your policy in the first communication, then there are no surprises. If they balk at a deposit, then they move on and you havent wasted a moment (or dollar) on them, and they can become someone else's problem. We collect 100% up front from customers, unless we have agreed on other terms.

The verbage we use is basically: "We accept Cash, Check, and all major Credit/Debit cards, if paying with CC/DC give us a call at: (555)555-5555 and we will run your card over the phone, production will begin once payment is received..."

Sometimes a deposit will not be possible if dealing with large customers, depends on their policy, we do work for a Marketing company that pays after they receive the product, period. We had to make a decision if we wanted to work with them or not, in this case, they place large enough orders, frequently enough, (and they do actually pay us on delivery) so its worth it for us to bend our policy for them.

For the lady that wants 2 asap, send her the invoice for the 50 she was quoted on and let her know what % deposit you need to begin, and then get her 2 asap. deliver the rest on an agreed upon date.

 

[chobay]

ALWAYS get a deposit.

 

[100percentcotton]

I suggest that you always ask for a deposit before any of the production proceses are done. In doing this it will at least pay for the portion of what has already been done or purchased on your end if the customer does decided to back out. We have been asking for an deposit for a while now because of the same types of problems and rarely does a customer have a problem with providing a deposit . We ask for at least 50% of the finial cost up front to give us a security.

 

[johnbol1]

My warehouse is stacked full of old t shirts etc from back in the day we used to be ever so nice.....(dumb) and printed for customers who never showed.
Not any more for 2 years now we alwys make customers pay up fornt or deposit. had only 2 people complain about this and told them OK goodbye.
Always get a deposit, they dont shop around once they pay you a depo.

John

 

[aardvarkspe]

You quoted her for a job of fifty shirts, call her up and calmly let her know that to get started on her order you will need a deposit of ??%. Once she gives you the deposit for the 50 shirt order, I would just press the two shirts she needs right away and deliver the other 48 at the agreed upon time. If she balks at giving you a deposit for the 50 shirts and just wants to pay for two shirts then re-quote her for the two shirts which will be much higher, and explain to her why it is higher.

I always get a deposit from the customer regardless. If I buy the shirts and the transfers and never hear from that customer again I will have to take that loss. Why??? If they want custom shirts done by me they will put up a deposit and only AFTER I have received the deposit will I order the items necessary to complete their order. If they never come back then all I have wasted is time but their deposit pretty much covers all my upfront expenses.

Absolutely correct!! Get a deposit before outlaying any funds on a job. Then you are separating the viable customers from the not so viable that might 'stiff' you. Also, you are not being the 'bank' for your customer by using company funds to purchase the materials for the job.

 

[GHEENEE1]

I put it in large red letters on top of my quote sheet, work will not begin until deposit is received. 2 shirts I would sub out dtg. Seperate quote.

 

[Twisted Grafix]

I always get 50% deposit down on any order. We screen print, so I try to hold on to the screens for a few days, especially for schools or large orders. This way, I can just toss them back on the press and knock them out. We keep over 200 screens in our rotation, so 6-12 screens being "down" for a few days isn't jamming anything up. Without remaking the screens and printing everything in-house, we can just add in the needed shirts. We typically order 3+ times per week for shirts, so we can always get them in on another order without costing an arm & a leg.

As far as the deposit goes, 50% of the total due before starting any work. The remaining balance (not "the rest" due to additions/changes) is due upon delivery unless otherwise arranged. The estimated completion date is not given until the deposit is in hand. This keeps the last minute changes down to a low rate and keeps the press moving.

We have a ton of jobs that get reorders frequently, so we have a minimum of 12 pieces. This also cuts down on the 1-2 additions or sporadic orders every few days.

 

[Zgraphics210]

As for me, i have learned in the many years in the shirt business... customers are not stupid they know how to play the game... So when i quote on a big order, i always mention this price is base on the shirt count i quoted for you for, if the count changes the price will too. they always want a price for 100 shirts and then order 5 for the price of the 100, sorry i dont think so. lol for real

 

[webtrekker]

As for me, i have learned in the many years in the shirt business... customers are not stupid they know how to play the game... So when i quote on a big order, i always mention this price is base on the shirt count i quoted for you for, if the count changes the price will too. they always want a price for 100 shirts and then order 5 for the price of the 100, sorry i dont think so. lol for real

Yeah, it's the old 'Bait and Switch' con.

Be very careful of people ordering at quantity to get a discounted price then asking for a reduced amount to be sent, usually with the promise that they'll want the rest later.

 

[hawaiianphatboy]

Just sharing my experience.. I am a small part time shop working from home. Screen printing, vinyl cut, heat press and embroidery. I recently did a job for a long time friend, and his "friend", to print and embroider back packs, screen print Volleyball uniforms, booster shirts and jackets. I purchased the shirts, they provided everything else to be done. I finished all of the items, but they decided they wanted to embroider the players names on the bags, so i got them back and added the names. They also then provided me with the jerseys which they needed the teams name screen printed on the front and on the back, both of which locations already had numbers on them so i had to work around that. They gave me the jerseys on a Tuesday and said they needed them done by friday since they had a tournament on saturday. I had not received any payment for anything prior to that Tuesday at which time upon dropping off the bags and the jerseys i was given $500, which left $800 still outstanding. After receiving the bags and jerseys i had a bad feeling about what could happen, so i message both individuals stating the cost of the embroidery as well as the jersey prints and wanted to ensure that they knew i would only release them upon receiving payment, of which i informed them that i would not be charging a rush fee for either. On friday the friend came over to pick up the items, and believing that i would be getting paid, the items were loaded into her vehicle. After that she informed me she did not have the money since she was not able to collect from the parents the additional monies however, promised she would have my money by this week. I have since sent three messages to which she did not respond to. Because i tend to trust people, I have never, ever charged or asked for a deposit up front, at least to cover my cost of items needed. Due to this "person" I now feel that I have to change my way of doing business and can not rely on the integrity of others. I am still waiting for $1700.00 and dont know if or when i will get paid. Always ask for a deposit, at least to cover your costs, and let them pay for your labor upon delivery. Aloha and Good luck.

 

[DickyNixon]

I have been in this game since 1984, and I have found it's best to be up front and honest with people from the start. As soon as the deal is switched I stop all aspects of the job and call the customer and let them
know what and why the price is changing, most people understand and if they don't, you probably don't want them as a customer. We require 50% deposit on all new customers orders

 

[exheight]

I always ask for 100% deposit previous to starting production. I make sure the customer is completely comfortable and I bend over backwards with creating free proofs and great service so they know that I am not the type to stiff them.

If they get all irritated about 100% deposit then it is a lot easier to ask for 50% deposit.

If you are providing a good customer service and they feel their job is safe in your hands then most customers won't give you flak asking for a percentage of money.

 

[elcielo]

Seems like the deposit, if not 100%, should be your cost for materials. The balance would be for your labor, payable upon delivery.

 

[DOAK]

If you really need the work as it is the slow season, I would require a deposit to cover your costs... Letting them know that when the 48pcs. balance are ordered you will honor the pricing for the 50 pcs. on and apply the deposit towards the 50pcs. If they dont want to wash your hands because they may just be working you over for a deal on 2 shirts...

 

[mmoguls]

As Tony Montana from "Scarface" would say, "First you get the money, then you make the product".
You buy your transfers with THIER money. If she wants 2 samples, get the transfer money up front, deliver the samples for approval, with her understanding that the initial cost is non refundable.

 

[carolinashirt]

Family reunions, Oh boy! Love those family reunions.... Get Paid first!