GCU Forum - Custom card headaches

Angela_134247

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 761

Custom card headaches
Feb 10^th, 2010, 12:41pm

I don't know what to do about these issues, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had the same probems. I have had 4 custom card requests in the last few weeks, spent considerable time and them, sent several e-mails back and forth with the customer, sent the links for the card orders, and then had zero people order the cards I have customized. I even had one customer e-mail me to ask where her order was, then she told me she ordered her card from a different artist! I am about to decide to refuse any more requests. I really believe that there should be a: a custom card fee paid straight to the artist, say at least $1.00 per design, because at least the artist would get some kind of compensation, and B.) better information for the customer, that these are individual artists spending time on these designs and they need to be certain they really want that design before they order it. Anyone else have an opinion?

Back to top

FairyGirl Cards:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/fairygirlcards

IP Logged

jami_136731

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 44

Re: Custom card headaches
Reply #1 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 12:56pm

Same here! A customer liked my fairy invitation, she just requested it in a different color. She only wanted 12 but I changed it per her request. She said she liked it, but then the changes kept coming and then she wanted a different fairy and then she wanted the fairys shirt to be a tad bit longer and then she wanted to switch the location of the sun and the cloud etc. this went on for 7 days. I made her 7 different cards to her request each time. She emailed me and said she really liked the final one but never ordered them. I spent at least 5 hours on her requests. I did it to keep a GCU customer happy but really will think twice before ever spending this much time again. I have a personalized party favor and invitation business and always get payment prior to doing any customization and it always works out great. Doing it for free is very tough when there is no commitment for them to ever buy. undecided

Back to top

Jami Lynn's Giggles & Grins Greeting Card Store:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/jamiscardstore

IP Logged

Trish_136241 Senior Member artist Posts: 440	Re: Custom card headaches Reply #2 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 12:56pm I sympathize. I have had one lately that thought my "embossed horses wedding invitation" was really going to be made with silver embossing, for 1.99 a card.......
Back to top	Bow N Ranch: http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/BowNRanch IP Logged

Susan J._131799 Full Member artist Posts: 118	Re: Custom card headaches Reply #3 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 12:57pm I had a custom request recently, I checked with GCU on how to respond correctly, provided the customer with the info they needed, did not get a response. Followed my response up with an inquiry as to whether they were still interested, again no response.
Back to top	Poda's Pretty Pictures: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/Podasprettypictures IP Logged

Dyle_139704 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 7	Re: Custom card headaches Reply #4 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 1:34pm I'm a newbie here but when I get a custom request I intend to limit one request per customer. Too much time can be devoted to indecisive customers who may not place that order after all. It would be quite different if GCU accepted deposits on the artist's behalf...
Back to top	Photo Greeting Cards by Dyle Warren: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/dylewarren IP Logged

Elizabeth_137795

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 724

Re: Custom card headaches
Reply #5 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 1:50pm

I've had similar problems with customers. One customer I moved things around, lengthened this, enlarged that and after about 10 days . . nothing and then all of a sudden she ordered 80 cards. I was a very happy camper.

What I don't like is when you correspond with a customer back and forth and then you don't hear from them for quite awhile. I just figured she was showing the design around to get other people's approval before ordering and that's exactly what it was.

Another time . . I just never heard back from them. Aggravating!

elizabeth

Back to top

ElizDesigns:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/ElizDesigns

IP Logged

cheryl_133782 Gold Member artist Posts: 1350	Re: Custom card headaches Reply #6 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 2:22pm There's already been a lengthy discussion about this over here on this thread http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/forum/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1265353560/30 Cheryl
Back to top	GOLDEN JACKAL CARD STORE: http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/GoldenJackalCardStore IP Logged

Robin_134252

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 401

Re: Custom card headaches
Reply #7 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 2:39pm

I'm still on the fence with the custom orders. I did have one customer that ended up ordering 35 cards, so I made just under $18 on that order... not too bad of a return on my time. However, on my other 5 photo cards (4 of which were purchased), I've made only $2.24. So I've made just over $20 for several hours of work. undecided

Right now, I have my minimum set for 1 card because I've had the time to make the custom orders, but if I were busy with other (more profitable) things, I would not be willing to take time out for a $0.56 sale (that might not even happen).

Back to top

Rycky Creations:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/RyckyCreations

IP Logged

Bambi_136382 Full Member artist Posts: 135	Re: Custom card headaches Reply #8 - Feb 10^th, 2010, 3:24pm Cheryl has been so kind as to help me on what could be a custom card order. a million thank yous!! I think custom card orders are very easy for some GCU artists and not so for others. So far it's a real toss up for me if it's worth my time or not. Not ready to give up yet. though. Bambi
Back to top	Bambi's Card Store: http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/bambiscardstore IP Logged