Oh! This is really exciting news! I think it's a great idea, hopefully someone will really want a personalized card from me!  
 
I'm not sure what to set the minimum at though, what is everyone setting theirs at? I've got it defaulted to ten, but geeze, I only sell one card at a time most often, maybe this will lose more sales if I set it to more than one. What to do...oh what to do.
 
Thanks for the new feature GCU!
 
Cherie

I've left mine at the default of 25...should be interesting!
Linda

Quote from Cherie_131661 on Nov 8^th, 2009, 7:05am:

 
Good eye, we are pondering this.

As an update...
 
Since Friday we have already seen many Custom Card Requests!  .. Christmas, Anniversary, Be my Bridesmaid cards... across the board.  AND already some completed sales from the resulting cards.    
 
Please note when responding to the requesting shopper keep in mind that they are not familiar with our GCU jargon like FastTrack, pid#, etc.  So please word your communications accordingly and don't forget to thank them!  Be sure to nudge them when the card has been approved and remind them exactly where they can find it.
 
We are working on an optional field for shoppers to indicate how many cards they intend to buy so artists will have a better idea of the possible order size.
 
We will be keeping an eye on the request emails and if there seem to be shopper questions that you may not be able to answer we will contact you directly with the answer.  For example, one shopper asked about different colored paper and lined envelopes.  We told the artist to relay to them that this is not an option.  Also a few logo insertion requests which will require GCU's help.
 
To answer a few other questions..
1) yes, cards resulting from these requests will be FastTracked
2) At this time we do not plan on allowing the Custom Card Request setting on a card by card basis.  
 
WE are off to a very promising start!  

I have my minimum set at 15 currently but what I'd like to do is to set it to 1 and then in the notes state higher minimums for more extensive customization.  I think at 15 I'm scaring off those that may simply want a name added to the front of a Birthday card (for instance) where they certainly aren't going to want to buy 15!  
 
My example Minimums:
1 - Simple text changes only such as a name added to an existing front image
5 - Color or background changes, plus simple text changes if desired
10 - Color or background changes, plus complex text changes such as a new comical caption
10 - Use your photo on a rectangular cut-out photo card, no other changes
15 - Use your photo(s) on an existing "insert your face" photo card, no other changes
25 - Any combinations of above, or a completely new card design and caption
 
I'd also like to tell them that the minimum is for a qty of my cards, not necessarily THIS card.  For instance, I might make a special birthday card under option #3 which they may only want 1 of, but that they are obligated to then buy 9 other cards from me.  
 
I think GCU should consider this.  The main change would be for a longer "Message to Shopper" field which currently is limited to 150 characters.  Just the list above is 479 characters so I suggest it be lengthened to 1000 or so so we can specify image dpi minimums on photos and availability/turn-around information.
 
I believe this provides shoppers and artist more flexibiltiy and is more likely to lead to more custom sales, more "Connecting Artists & card Buyers" activity, and more total cards sold.
 
A simple "yes it's OK" would do for now, and I'll do what I can in 150 characters.
 
TOM
 

For the time being I have changed to yes and added this message
 
"One card may be ordered with simple personalization of a name or occasion.  Photo cards or detailed changes require a minimum order of 10 cards from my gallery.  Please email me if you have questions. dbvisualarts@charter.net"
 
i will not hesitate to pull it though if I feel like it is getting out of hand.  i am not totally comfortable asking them to purchase more cards from my gallery if the design is more complex on the one card, but, also not too happy with no compensation for a more detailed re-design.  
 
freelance design work is basically what this amounts to and compensation is not provided for in this new set up.  do i sell a card maybe, but , if a person asked me to customize a card in a detailed way locally, i would ask more than .56 cents to do it.  and if it is a bulk order, even a bulk order of 100 cards would not net the amount i might be charging locally, and trust me i charge a fifth what some would to do this.  so i am not sure, but i will give it a try, i suppose.

Quote from Linda_132742 on Nov 16^th, 2009, 4:26pm:

 
You could also just upload it from your Hard Drive as a free ecard couldn't you or is that against the rules of use???
 

 however i have to double double click to get any to come up for me... that maybe vistas fault.  not sure