Opinions on Payments for Projects?

[Charlie_1]

How does everyone feel about taking payments for projects ?
Should they be done at all ?

[Forester21]

I guess that depends on what kind of projects you mean. I don't have any problem being paid for my expertise, time, and materials for projects I make. I also don't have any problem in donating items to the non-profit organizations I support. I even charge relatives for items they request ~ although at a "family discount".

Theresa E

[CanadianScroller]

This is really a hard question for me to answer.
Most of the time I give stuff away. If someone wants me to do a custom project, I charge for materials and then a nominal fee for my work.
It ends up being pennies an hour
You may find it easier to go to some websites where scrollers sell projects and find out what they are pricing similar projects for.

I know Kevin, Jediscroller, offered some great advice in a thread.

http://scrollsawer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=28221&postcount=5

you can view the entire thread here

[Charlie_1]

lets say you made a project and were going to sell if for $300 or more ,but the person who wanted it couldnt do the whole $300 at once ,they would have to do it in like monthly or biweekly payments of $25 - $100 each payment , would you be willing to accept that or would you say no and just sell it to someone else who could do the $300 then and there ?

and would you do that not knowing the person at all ?

Charlie,

[Forester21]

OK - totally different question than I first thought.

Are credit card payments out?? How about PayPal - if you both have an account, they can use their CC on paypal - doesn't cost them anything, but it will cost you some.

As for making payments via cash or check - I might consider it, but I sure would have a "contract" of some kind that they would sign. A down payment would be a must, a set time when it would have to be paid off, and an aggreement of what happens to the $ if it is not paid off. The item would not belong to the person until paid in full.
Then again, if it is a special request that is personalized - only they would want the item and no way to sell it if they didn't end up paying, then I wouldn't make it until I was paid in full (I got burnt once - won't happen again!)
Theresa

[Minnesota scroller]

Stanger? $100 down and $100 per month for the next 2 months and they wouldn't get it until it was paid in full. Miss a payment and it's up for grabs and they are out their $100. End of subject.

[Charlie_1]

Credit Cards and PayPal are both out ,so would only be check or cash payments, and as well would be a personalized project .

How easy would it be to write up a simple contract and or agreement like that ?

Its pretty sad when you dont know who or how much you can trust someone to make payments and not get burned with it , and all it takes is one person to ruin it for everyone else .

That works too Minn

Charlie,

[Forester21]

I don't think it would be too hard to write something up - state your terms, keep it simple, have them sign it as well as you, give them a copy. Don't forget receipts each time they pay.... I've watched too much Judge Judy I think..... LOL

Theresa

[minowevie]

Gosh little brother. I would say. trust is eared. not a given. do you know the person?? are they trust worthy??. I agree with all the above. there should be a down payment, for the wood and other supplies you are putting into the work. and if there is a time limit , on the payment, then if they don't pay, they should know. what will happen to the work involed. no excuses. I guess what i am trying to say is. Keep bussness, bussness, and friendship, friendship. you have gone to alot of work. and learened the art. folks think you can just wip this out. and as a friend or neibor, exspect you to produce. your doing so good. don't let folks get you down. just set your boundries. and stick to it. your big sis Evie

[Trout]

the 3 step plan....

$100 down for supplies...THAT'S A MUST!
$100 when they recieved it...
$100 finial payment to be determind...

Trout

[Charlie_1]

Thank you all for your help

ones a friend and the other I dont know at all
will have to really think about this when I write this up ,and make sure it has everything in it that it should

this is definetly something Id rather not do all the time thats for sure , once in a while is ok but definetly not all the time

looks to me like definetly a down payment and an agreement with payment plan and receipts for each payment done , and not given project til completely paid for and what happens if its not paid for

Thank you all very much
Charlie

[minowevie]

Littale brother. I am going to put my 2 cents in again. but, and I say BUT. is this relly something you wont to do.?? and if it is not. you can always say no. NO you are just starting a new hobby, and have given your self permition, to do this for your self. and when, and if , your wish to make it your job. you would be more than willilng to make some for sale. and you could tell them , they would be first on your list, to make something for. as soon as you get all the details down, on a buessness form. does this make sence. seems like, folks just wont every thing, but not always willing to pay. I will tell you this. if I wonted something , you made. I would come up with the whole payment in advance. or at least half. with a timed payment. your big sis Evie

[Charlie_1]

the main problem I have is trusting people to do what they say theyre going to and they would definetly have to pay a large chunk of it up front ,at least 1/3rd of it , but a few times here and there I dont mind just not all the time constant with it

will definetly have to be careful when doing this ,dont want to get burned


Thank you Sis

your lil brother
Charlie,

[sheltiecarver]

Charlie,
I will approach this from a different angle. I am a person with very little (some months, NO) Gee -- what's the word?? maybe elective - income. If I wanted one of your truly excellent projects, I would not feel at all bad about making a down and one or 2 more payments before you even started the project. And when I could make the final payment, i'd be really proud to take it home and display it, especially knowing the full worth of it. I think you should value your time and skill, and expect others to do the same. If that isn't OK with them, you can do projects for yourself or gifts, or even give them away - but don't put yourself in a situation where somebody could take advantage of your good and trusting nature.
That's another big sis talking, so you decide. As somebody on here says, your mileage may vary!! I just don't want you to get hurt or undervalued.
Sandy

[minowevie]

Thats just what i thought. you know little brother. Its ok to say NO. and No, is a full sentence. is that a word. I shouldn't give advice , for sure. but why not just learn, and make what you wont. that why, you don't have to live up to anything. of corse $300.00 is alot to egnore. but if it is giving you greef. just let it go. and just keep learning. your relly getting so good. and you have alot more to learn. you just have enouph on your plate. so give it somemore time. and you will be happyer. just my 2 cnts worth again. your big sis Evie