I dont get it?

[clairemackaness]

I just dont get it.....I've had two customers recently commission works of art from me and pay a deposit.

Now the paintings are finished and they are not reponding to my e-mails.

At the end of the day, I've not lost out as they have paid their deposits and covered my materials, but how long should I wait before selling the paintings on to someone else?

I've PM'd, e-mailed and gone through their web addresses to no avail!

[Faith28]

How long have you waited for their responses?

[Eagle]

*
I've experienced this too. Statistically, of all my clients, the ones that I ask a deposit from (I don't ask everyone) are the most likely to disappear without trace.

It's odd. And frustrating.

[Coding Monkey]

I ask for a 50% deposit and certainly hope they don't disappear afterwards. Yet to happen.

[Eagle]

*
The funny thing is, I can understand people sacking a project and losing maybe a £50-£100 deposit - but two recent deposits were substantially larger....

I just don't get it....

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

Claire

When you take a deposit build this into the contract. Say that it is 50% upfront and 50% upon completion and they have 28 days to collect it before it goes back on general sale.

A deposit is just that, it is not a final sale. You have kept you end of the bargin up and they should do the same.

I would send them 3 e-mail and give them 28 days, keep a record of this as it may be needed later on.

Matt

[Jayne]

Maybe they have children and have gone on holiday. It's half-term here.

Jayne

[clairemackaness]

Thanks all, MK - I like the idea of 28 days to collect before re-sale it's a good idea.

What is really frustrating is that they just dont reply to my e-mails. I dont care if they have changed their minds, just tell me and I'll stop wasting my time trying to get in contact with them.

One of them is a UKBF member as well and should know better. I'm not naming names though so dont ask me (unless your a mod and can do something about it LOL)

[Jayne]

If it's who I think it is Claire! He's had trouble with his email box, try PMing him. I do know he's very busy!

Jayne

[Ravenfire]

Claire I would ask for phone numbers and/or addresses in the future as well as emails just in case the emails arent getting through from you.

[clairemackaness]

Jayne I've PM'd you

Ravenfire - good idea

[SillyJokes]

email is notoriously bad for communication.

how big was the deposit? If it wasn't very big then they may just be regretting asking for a painting and don't want it anymore.

Next time ask for a bigger deposit. There are rules for selling bespoke products that perhaps you should look into,

[clairemackaness]

I've had contact following a final demand e-mail letting them know I would re-sell on the 25th Feb if I had not heard.

Apparently the guy is in hospital and his friend paid me instead.

I'll definatly take all your comments on board for the future. Life is a learning curve after all.

[creospace]

Silly,

do you know where i can get these rules as my wife is about to start sellign bespoke products? And is Art still under the banner of a bespoke 'product'?

Thanks

Gary

[SillyJokes]

Do a search for sale of goods act.

Basically if someone has commissioned a unique work they can only return it or refuse it if it is faulty as obviously something with a specific date or name cannot be sold elsewhere.

I imagine that if someone commissions a piece of art it is likely to come under these rules, but maybe it is a grey area if the art could be sold to another. However you first point of contact should probably be trading standards who have a wealth of info on this stuff.

[creospace]

ok cheers

Gary

[DarrenC]

If it's who I think it is Claire! He's had trouble with his email box, try PMing him. I do know he's very busy!

Jayne

I'm not the guilty person, but I think Jayne was referring to me :lol:

Claire, if I was you I'd be charging people 50% if you have had bad experiences. I can't believe people would pay 50% and then not pay the remainder for the work - why waste the money!

On another forum I frequent they have an e-bay type feedback system in place on the forum, it works great, and I only do business, with people who have good feedback.

Maybe since this is a business forum a similar system would be useful on here?

Darren

[clairemackaness]

I like that idea Darren, I only buy from decent feedback people on eBay too.

[Eagle]

*
:( Does reputation count? :(

:wink: :P

[creospace]

'I like that idea Darren, I only buy from decent feedback people on eBay too.'

How do people get started, I guess they all started with zero to begin with?

I'm toying with opening an ebay shop for my wife and I wonder if it's worth it if no one buys stuff from someone with zero feedback. I guess we could buy some cheap stuff to build up some feedback?

Gary

[Eagle]

That's how most people do it. :)

[Jayne]

I don't ask for deposits, I like to think I can trust people. If they decide they don't want it when the painting is finished, then you just flog it to someone else.

I would hate to think i'd put pressure on anyone who had changed there mind. Maybe you could do something similar Claire, it saves upsetting anyone.

Jayne :D

[DarrenC]

Eagle :lol: no it's not reputation.. That's VB's worst idea in my opinion! The number of red's I got for speaking my mind tut :D

Jayne, I like that way of thinking - if I was a painter (I can draw stick men) I'd do it on the same principle.

Creo, I think it depends on the member, theres some I would trust without feedback.

[clairemackaness]

I don't ask for deposits, I like to think I can trust people. If they decide they don't want it when the painting is finished, then you just flog it to someone else.

I would hate to think i'd put pressure on anyone who had changed there mind. Maybe you could do something similar Claire, it saves upsetting anyone.

Jayne :D

I wish I could Jayne, But I only ask for deposits to cover materials. As most of my pieces are large gallery wrapped canvasses, costing £30- £75 to buy, I cant afford to be stuck with something thats not to others tastes. If I'm doing a painting on paper or canvas board though I'm not too fussed. I always do a full design brief and offer sketches etc before I ask anyone to commit to a deposit.