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Tracy Feb 10, 2007

ears?? Seriously, I have a customer who has just received her commissioned mini, and she has requested that I make her another pair of larger ears for him that she would replace herself (she's decided she likes BIG ears the best, so offered to pay for another pair if I would make them).  I don't mind making the ears, if that's what she wants, but I have no idea what to charge for a pair of ears!  I will have to trim and shade them as well as the sewing and such.  Any ideas? 

Or maybe I should just make them and send them to her without charging for them?  Help!  I'm making myself nuts here! :doh: 

Jodi Falk Feb 10, 2007

A MILLION DOLLARS !!!!!!!

    Just kidding !!!! Well how about $20.00 for ears and including shipping ? Because it does take time and what is your time worth !!!   GEEEEEEEEEEEE !! I am not sure !! I think I would have her send it back and you do it. If she puts a hole in the fabric thats it !!! Thats a tough one !! Never had that before !!!

  By the way I am loving my bear !!!!

Daphne Feb 10, 2007

Interesting situation!

Well, as a customer, I'd feel it way MY request, that I didn't specify large ears when I ordered or bought the bear and thus it is my place to pay you. In fact, I'd feel badly if I didn't pay knowing that I am putting you out of your way and taking up your time to have you do this.

As an artist I tend to do similar 'favors' free of charge. Or I should say, I did! I'm now realizing just how much time can be taken up in doing even the smallest of tasks and because this is my business and time is money. For my own peace of mind I wouldn't charge much though... just enough to feel I was getting reimbursed for my time to make the ears, go to the P.O. etc. and to make her feel like she was paying me something.

That's my 2 cents.

Tracy Feb 10, 2007

Thanks gals!  I've been wrestling with this one since last night!! It's turned out to be a hard decision, but of course that's probably more due to me making it hard! :doh: This isn't a request that I've ever had before........and my customer did okay the pics of the bear before I shipped him, so I think it was really just a recent idea that she wants the larger ears.  I should charge something for my time, even if they are just a pair of ears.  I will have a couple of hours in this at least.  And having her send the bear to me would be best, but I know she's not going to want to part with him that long!

So, what to charge?  Jodi, I like your first suggestion the best!! :crackup: I think I may go with $20 though.  Darren suggested that amount too, so it must be right on! My first thought was either free (I'm too nice sometimes) or $10, but that's probably not enough. 

Anyway, thanks ladies! :hug:   I really needed a couple others' thoughts on this to make up my mind!

PS---Me too Jodi!!!!!!      

gotobedbears Feb 10, 2007

An arm and a leg

Tracy Feb 10, 2007

An arm and a leg

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup: Penny (Maxine), you kill me!!!

psichick78 Feb 10, 2007

I'm suprised collectors are that picky! I guess that's why I don't do custom. If you like it, you buy it. Period.
Although this lady sounds nice, I would for sure charge her. $20 is good, but I guess it depends on how much she paid for the bear. Maybe 20% or something

Delartful Bears Feb 10, 2007

Oooh, I think I'd do it for free.  Afterall, a pair of ears doesn't take long, and the mohair is next to nothing - I always think it's better to keep your customer happy...

But I guess $20 doesn't seem too outrageous???

Danni

Daphne Feb 11, 2007

An arm and a leg

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup: Penny (Maxine), you kill me!!!

Maxine!?!!?
Can we all call ya that Penster?

rkr4cds Feb 11, 2007

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable about her removing the originals - and sewing the new ones on.

Remember that she's going to represent this bear as yours; if she does a crappy job - or cuts into the fabric backing - how will she fix that???

I'd be more comfortable charging the $20 PLUS telling her she has to pay to ship it to and from you because make the change ONLY if you do the actual work.

chrissibrinkley Feb 11, 2007

I've done something like this already & I'm thinking along the same lines as Bobbie on this one.  I'd be afraid of the end result and your name being attached to it.  What if they're not sewn to your standards and the bear winds up on ebay in 3 years
I'd ask that she pay for shipping charges and then do the ears for free as a one time service. 
:hug:
~Chrissi

rkr4cds Feb 11, 2007

Sorry, I missed the part about being a mini - right, I'll go with Chrissi, but she should pay for shipping both ways and a bit for your time/trouble.
Especially in light of being a commissioned piece. We don't often get to change our minds at will in this Life!!

Tracy Feb 11, 2007

This is an excellent point brought up by both Chrissi and Bobbie.......thanks gals! I did think of that, and normally I wouldn't agree to the changes being made without the bear being sent back to me.  However, this little one was commissioned for a very special and personal purpose.....hence the reluctance to send him off in the mail again.  I have absolutely no worries he will ever be resold.  So I am willing to go along with my customer in this instance.  I will confess to some qualms due to my own sense of artistic "ownership".  Having someone else switch the ears on one of my bears does bother me a bit..........but in this case I was able to let that go.  Tough, but I managed it!

I did decide on the $20, as it was an irregular request (bear had already been approved) and I had to make up my mind that my additional time here is worth something.  My customer was happy with this as well, so I am proceeding with the new ears.   And I am fairly certain she is proficient enough with sewing not to make a hole or any other catastrophe while changing them.

kbonsall Feb 11, 2007

Wow, picky customer LOL.... I had one like that, wonder if it is the same person?  LOL.... Glad all is resolved!