Why have people changed so much?

[SillyJokes]

I prefer to never sell something I don't have in stock and this is because suppliers are incredibly variable in their reliability, some are downright useless, you'd be staggered at how bad some of them are. Stock figures wrong, change of factory leading to poor quality replacements, differences in performance, shrinkage - i.e. saving money by making it smaller, delivering late, mis picking the delivery, leaving delivery outside in the pouring rain. sigh.

Making promises to customers based on information from a supplier has left me up a creek on several occaisions and the customer sees it as your error.

I've never taken deposits but this thread makes interesting reading and is something I'll bear in mind for futher special orders.

 

[Eclectic communications]

If a client is not serious about leaving a deposit, then they may not be serious about buying it.
John

 

[Esk247]

I've never taken deposits but this thread makes interesting reading and is something I'll bear in mind for futher special orders.

Instead of cutting off customers completely it's probably worth just making a deposit standard. That at least covers your wholesale cost for the product. They can take it or leave it.

There will be many who don't mind paying a deposit. I did when I had a custom PC made, 50% up front for them to build it and 50% when they delivered it.

Best not to cut customers off bluntly if they ask for something you don't have in stock.

 

[DavidWH]

Just today I had a new customer ring up wanting 2 posters printing. Once printed they're no use to me.

They sent over the artwork, I replied to confirm I had received it and then a link to pay online. Job's done, I wasn't worrying when she turned up an hour late, that they weren't coming!

I try to agree a price before the customer leaves the premises, get the deposit & the job. Otherwise we find they like our price at the time and then down the pub their pal's cousin can do it for £50 from his garden shed.

 

[Talay]

One of my businesses, a service, currently operates on what are essentially credit terms, where we get paid after completing the service. When I have time and have agreed parameters, some techie will write me up a new website which will drive prepay online, for which there may be a discount, or simply the service will not be available on post paid terms.

What with apps, integrated payments systems and accounts, reducing or removing risk for orders and payments seems a wholly logical thing to do.

 

[kostantinos]

Hello

I am a Newbie at the forum and I would like to ask you the following question:

I am non UK resident and I'm interested in formating a UK Limited Company.

The company will be a drop shipping retail e-shop with delivery service all over the world (focused on Europe). The origin and the shipping of the products (that are listed in my e-shop) will be direct from china to my customers all over the world.

Payments will be received from my customers via paypal, and Chinese suppliers will be paid (from me) by credit card (Bank transfer).

When a payment is made to a Chinese supplier, will i need to receive an invoice (or it can be proved by business bank account transactions)? I have attach typical Chinese invoice from one of my suppliers, is that type of invoice accepted by Companies House (HMRC)?

 

[rayvellest]

If buyers are serious about their needs they will have no problem in providing a deposit to secure the deal. One of my cardinal rules as a service provider is to never start working without an upfront payment and works like a charm, never had a problem.