GCU Forum - Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...

Kathy_131728

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 610

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #15 - Mar 8^th, 2010, 7:52am

Quote from Pamela_135500 on Mar 8^th, 2010, 7:38am:

Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the tips about the separate email and how you set up your text and photo in your custom request notes. I checked it out, works very well, looks great and certainly gets the message across.

OOOhh am I going to have to come out from hiding behind my flower, maybe............ someday undecided

Pamela

Hi Pamela,
It is hard to come out of hiding...I was a yellow rose for almost three years and it is a bit weird to have my picture out there, but I am getting used to it. I don't know if customers will like it, but I must say it feels more like "my store" now though. Don't come out of hiding unless you feel it is right for you, it is a tough decision to make.

Take care--
Kathy

Back to top

Kathy Henis Greeting Cards ©:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/KathyHenis

IP Logged

Ed_138263 Junior Member artist Posts: 81	Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ... Reply #16 - Mar 8^th, 2010, 8:06am Add me to the list. I had a request for an anniversary card. The buyer wanted it done in Spanish, minimum order 100 cards, I did it and sent the link, and just like everyone else, no sale.
Back to top	Irisangel : http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/irisangel IP Logged

Rosalie_136698 Gold Member artist Posts: 981	Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ... Reply #17 - Mar 8^th, 2010, 4:12pm I really think custom requests should go through GCU and they should require a deposit on these cards. I guess in a way, I am lucky as I have not had any yet. Rosie Cards
Back to top	Rosie Cards: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/rosiecards IP Logged

Corrie_131338

Gold Member

Posts: 1611

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #18 - Mar 8^th, 2010, 11:35pm

Our experiences with custom cards have so far been fairly positive, but I'm sure that can change.

Here's something you can try that may eliminate some wasted time:

When we receive a custom card request, we contact the customer immediately, before doing anything else. In the email, we reiterate the request, for example:

"Thank you for your interest in my greeting cards at GCU. I received your request to customize card PID# 00000 by adding "Dear Monty, You're Such a Card!" to the front in the same font and color as the existing text. You intend to order 10 of these cards. If this is correct, please get back in touch with me to verify so I can get straight to work on your request. Thanks again!"

Unless you hear back from the customer, there's no need to do the work.

Don't forget you can always say "no" if you feel the work required to do the request is too much for the compensation you'll get. We've had to decline some requests, always communicating professionally. It doesn't necessarily mean no sale.

One time, a man wanted to customize a birthday card for his twin brother, but it was just one card and our minimum is ten. So we pointed out to him that we already had a number of cards specifically for twin brother's birthday, and that if he wanted to search further on GCU, he would find many other excellent designs to choose from. He ended up buying one of our other cards, no customization required, and let us know he was very happy.

Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl
Need more info and how-to on GCU?
GCU 101 - http://www.squidoo.com/gcu101
Card Design Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/designcardsatgcu
Marketing Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/makemoresalesatgcu
Retail Sales Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/sellcardsretail

Back to top

Corrieweb Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/corrieweb

IP Logged

Janet_134086

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 610

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #19 - Mar 9^th, 2010, 4:43pm

I had a request the other day for names to be put on the front of a retirement card, I created the card...and I sent out a card complete message and thank you, but had no reply...I waited another day, and sent another message. I gave her the benefit of doubt because the request was from the UK, and there is a time defference....she bought the card yesterday.

Yes, The EXE file type is primarily associated with 'Executable File'.
An executable file is basically another name for a program. A virus can be sent via a exe.
So..a photo should Not have that file attached to it.

I am sure most requests are legit as well, like Pam said...you need to be careful.

*Last month I deleted my photo cards here at GCU.
However...I am still doing "Text Requests"
I am going to wait to see if GCU can come up with a "Safer" way to get photos to artists without us taking a chance on getting our PC`s infected. *Like letting the customer add thier own photos to the front of cards.
To me...its not worth the .56 cents, Id be making. *It goes without saying you would not open an attachment from someone you didn't know, would you? And we really don`t know these people.Sorry GCU, but it needed to be said...and a safer way is needed undecided

Hugs, Janet Lee

Back to top

Janet Lee Designs:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/janetleedesigns

IP Logged

Mindy GCU Administrator Community Manager Posts: 6567 Gender:	Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ... Reply #20 - Mar 9^th, 2010, 6:36pm We will look at ways to put some safeguards in place and we're still brainstorming on ways to get better commitment from the requesting shoppers.
Back to top	IP Logged

Pamela_135500

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 1945

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #21 - Mar 9^th, 2010, 6:58pm

Quote from Mindy on Mar 9^th, 2010, 6:36pm:

We will look at ways to put some safeguards in place

That would be so appreciated

As far as the shopper commitment. I think Corrie's example is very professional and a step in the right direction. I think asking the customer to contact you to verify their request and confirm the details before the work begins might help weed out the 'curious'.

Pamela

Back to top

PamJArts:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/PamJArts

IP Logged

Janet_134086 Gold Member artist Posts: 610	Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ... Reply #22 - Mar 9^th, 2010, 9:00pm Thank You Mindy, (I hope I was not out of line or stepping on toes.) That`s wonderful and very much appreciated indeed. I am looking forward to it, as I think I have nice photo cards to offer. Janet Lee
Back to top	Janet Lee Designs: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/janetleedesigns IP Logged

Norval_132688 Gold Member artist Posts: 908	Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ... Reply #23 - Mar 9^th, 2010, 11:08pm What Ed answered is the common business practice for any custom work. I would go one step further, which could be implimented by GCU. Custom orders should come through the company and should be prepaid. Any serious customer would expect this.
Back to top	luvapples cardshop: http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/luvapplescardshop IP Logged

Kathy_131728

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 610

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #24 - Mar 10^th, 2010, 7:19am

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to Corrie for her suggestion on how to handle custom requests. Yesterday I tried her technique of upon getting the request e-mail the customer stating the work you think they want you to do and asking them to confirm. I did that and got confirmation fairly quickly, created the card, got a quick approval from GCU, notified the customer and this morning got a sale. The best part about this is I also got a nice thank you from the customer in the mail and this was a win for GCU, a win for the artist and a win for the customer. This is what the process is about, so don't get discouraged. I think we are all working to make the process better and this is great! Thanks again Corrie for the great suggestion!
Kathy

Back to top

Kathy Henis Greeting Cards ©:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/KathyHenis

IP Logged

Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6567
Gender: female

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #25 - Mar 11^th, 2010, 6:33pm

Quote from Mindy on Mar 9^th, 2010, 6:36pm:

We will look at ways to put some safeguards in place and we're still brainstorming on ways to get better commitment from the requesting shoppers.

Our programmers have put a filter in to prevent EXE files from being attached to the custom request emails. They are also looking at other ways to prevent spamming requests ie: a confirmation code.

Back to top

IP Logged

Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6567
Gender: female

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #26 - Mar 11^th, 2010, 6:36pm

Quote from Kathy_131728 on Mar 10^th, 2010, 7:19am:

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to Corrie for her suggestion on how to handle custom requests. Yesterday I tried her technique of upon getting the request e-mail the customer stating the work you think they want you to do and asking them to confirm. I did that and got confirmation fairly quickly, created the card, got a quick approval from GCU, notified the customer and this morning got a sale. The best part about this is I also got a nice thank you from the customer in the mail and this was a win for GCU, a win for the artist and a win for the customer. This is what the process is about, so don't get discouraged. I think we are all working to make the process better and this is great! Thanks again Corrie for the great suggestion!
Kathy

Hi Kathy, there you are! Cool

Yes, a BIG thanks to Corrie for sharing her excellent advice!

..and congrats to you Kathy on your recent custom request sale. Nicely done.

Back to top

IP Logged

Pamela_135500

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 1945

Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ...
Reply #27 - Mar 12^th, 2010, 5:07am

Quote from Mindy on Mar 11^th, 2010, 6:33pm:

Quote from Mindy on Mar 9^th, 2010, 6:36pm:

We will look at ways to put some safeguards in place and we're still brainstorming on ways to get better commitment from the requesting shoppers.

Our programmers have put a filter in to prevent EXE files from being attached to the custom request emails. They are also looking at other ways to prevent spamming requests ie: a confirmation code.

Thank you very much for this! kiss

And offering my thanks to Corrie also since I didn't directly say it before in my previous post.

Pamela

Back to top

PamJArts:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/PamJArts

IP Logged

Kathy_131728 Gold Member artist Posts: 610	Re: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha ... Reply #28 - Mar 12^th, 2010, 5:14am Thanks Mindy for the congratulations on the sale and please thank the programmers for the speedy implementation of a filter to prevent EXE files from being attached to custom requests. This is very much appreciated. Kathy
Back to top	Kathy Henis Greeting Cards ©: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/KathyHenis IP Logged

Joan_135833

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 591

Re: The ongoing customization question
Reply #29 - Mar 18^th, 2010, 8:33am

Quote from Mindy on Mar 9^th, 2010, 6:36pm:

We will look at ways to put some safeguards in place and we're still brainstorming on ways to get better commitment from the requesting shoppers.

I am looking forward to the implementation of something effective, as I find it very distressing to continue to read about people amusing themselves by placing false requests and information. Naty has just posted about discovering that a telephone number was not in service, but I do not feel that GCU artists should have to check shoppers' telephone numbers (especially since the shopper and the artist may not even be in the same country).

Yes, of course there should be at least one exchange of e-mail messages before beginning any custom work. Corrie's advice is excellent, as always, as is her wording (and that of other colleagues dealing with this situation) but following her guidelines is still no guarantee of a positive outcome; she herself said

My own few requests concluded happily; however, it was never a sure thing until the notification-of-sale e-mails. I think the only surefire method is to require a non-refundable deposit. The notion of having to pay would eliminate the fooling around and, as many have already stated, is perfectly normal and even expected when placing a custom order. I feel that all the artists' energy should be free to go into the fulfillment of the requests and not have to be concerned with any aspect of the business considerations.

Back to top

MissPrinteditions:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/missprinteditions

IP Logged