how much of a deposit do you require (or ask for whole amount)

[jesennia]

Vendors, when you are contacted about a decent sized wholesale or troupe order (say $300 or more)..

do you require a percentage as a deposit

or do you require the full amount be paid in advance?

For now I have allowed payment towards the end of the dyeing process and I've had enough $ to pay for the orders up front but on more than one occasion it has left me stranded with items that a buyer changes their minds about.

Since I'm going back to 'work' part time I will have more capital to throw down on supplies at once but really need to require a deposit to at least cover the cost of supplies up front.

Is it unreasonable to ask for a large deposit or payment in full and then ask that the buyer has to wait for the order? So that I can use their payment to pay for supplies (and I normally have to wait for supplies)

The flip side of this is I can keep order minimums for wholesale LOW, and FLEXIBLE, and the wholesale cost LOW. Am willing to work with buyers at just about any level so they can sell veils part time at haflas or in class but to do this , it would work best to have at least a % of the total in place (non-refundable if order not completed until items sold) AND it will require a few weeks so that I can make the veils

I do not usually carry a large stockpile of items (THIS KEEPS MY COSTS CONSIDERABLY LOWER ..I do not make payments on business loans, nor do I pay employees so I am able to charge minimum for work BUT it may require a bit of time to order supplies)

THOUGHTS?
thank you!

[jesennia]

I feel bad since a handful of buyers have been with me since the beginning

it's not a trust issue with these buyers..am just trying to operate efficiently so I can work part time and have funds to secure supplies..BUT since I do not have a dye-er or seamstress or any kind of assistant, it requires a wait

(hint order in advance of your needs!)

[catwomyn]

I'd say that it's fine to ask for 50% deposit upfront as long as everyone is clear what the rules are. How long will they have to wait, is the deposit refundable if they change their minds, etc.

[ravenadesigns]

For custom orders - I request 50% and let them know that if they back out - I keep it. So non-refundable. I have a 30 day policy. Basically - once the order is complete and if they start dodging my emails for 30 days - I can choose to give up and return the items back to inventory. I also keep the 50% deposit.

I charge the other 50% at the time of shipment.

tough love sucks but people understand why.

[gretchendances]

Honestly because you can ask for it... do it. I say 50% non refundable.

[jesennia]

thx for the replies so far..might just do retail this season not sure