Serging and Sewing For Production:
 If you sell, protect yourself.
Don't get left holding the bag on Custom Orders
How much time do you give a client
to pick up their custom unpaid order
I have client who will not respond
or meet and it has now been 4 weeks.
Include written statement on your invoice that articulates clearly your policy in writing.
It is a rookie mistake in business to accept a custom order without clearly having a written policy on the invoice and a certain percentage up front 50% or more payment for all materials in advance.
Check your local small claims court for the legal options detailing how long you must keep it for them to "claim" before trying to sell or donate or dispose of it. But you will probably not get a dime back from the person who ordered it.
In small claims court the burden of accountability is on the vendor who is expected to know how to do business, more than on a customer "being expected to be a decent person."
That is generally how courts lean in cases like this. The person accepting a contract to make a custom item falls in that category.
Require at least a 50% deposit for the materials before starting work.
Provide a time estimate with dates written on the deposit receipt for how it will take to complete the order.
Require a storage fee in writing on the deposit receipt if not picked up within two weeks of completion date.
Include the words "Not responsible for unclaimed items left longer than 30 days" prominently (not in fine print) both on the deposit receipt and Invoice
copies.
Our Serging and Sewing For Production group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/378081575860526/
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