GCU Forum - Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees

Avis_134613

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Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #30 - Sep 6^th, 2010, 8:43am

This is a great idea, and I have nothing to add to all the great suggestions already posted!

I've been away from the forums for a while...so I need to catch up! Grin

I just want to say that I think the email idea for communication 'just' with our customers is needed, and yes I believe this "conversation" should be private, and yes... thanks to GCU for turning a new eye to this issue. I echo the thoughts about customers being picky and the need for some structure in the guidelines.

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Sandy_132125

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Posts: 330

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #31 - Sep 10^th, 2010, 7:21pm

I also think this is a great idea.I had one person I worked with constantly for about three days. When we were getting close to a product she seemed to like , she informed me that she decided to get it elsewhere. I had a feeling that I created what she needed and went ahead and copied it without buying it from us...
But, anywasy! Good ideas !
Thanks again GCU!
Sandy

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Eve_138255

Ex Member

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #32 - Sep 11^th, 2010, 3:43am

Quote from Sheryl_133470 on Sep 3^rd, 2010, 3:09pm:

Hi Mindy, though I like offering custom cards, I don't think I would like negotiating the price with every customer via email. I would much prefer a standard list of charges per type of change, shown to the buyer upfront as they start the custom card order. This way they can decide if they want to proceed with the request and if it is in their budget to continue.

I feel the way you are suggesting, the artists would be doing a lot of "answering questions" about the added cost. This could result in no sale if the buyer finds the price more than they are willing to pay. It seems like it would be a lot of unnecessary time wasted answering questions.

So my point is have the information upfront with a list of examples. Then if they are interested, they can proceed with the request.

For example,
- If the buyer wants one card with text changed on front of card, it would be this $ amount per card.
- If the buyer wants colors changed in the design, it would cost this $ amount per card.
- etc.

Just my two cents.

Sher

This sounds a very good idea to me.

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Jacqueline_132594

GCU Newbies
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Posts: 40

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #33 - Sep 16^th, 2010, 4:50pm

Mindy and Nassar I do appreciate you looking into solutions for this and thank you for that. But I have been undecided about participation in this area of card offerings for a while. I did upload several a while back (mainly Christmas and wedding) and have many others I could add, but really dislike the whole process of back and forth interaction with the customer, and handling various price additions for custom service.

What I would like is a hide/show option for now to remove my photo template cards that are already approved from public view (this may already be in place, I need to go look again). This is with hope that there will be a better solution in the not too far future that I could work with.

I feel we need a way to allow the customers to add their own images, ect without needing our (the artists) intervention. I just don't have time to be handling this type of customization. I need to be able to upload the card designs and then move on to the next project knowing any sales and customer interactions will be handled by GCU.

Spice

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Penny_134243

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Posts: 1337

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #34 - Sep 23^rd, 2010, 11:27am

Hi, Mindy,

Thanks for bringing up this topic for us. I'm a little late to reply, and I do have some thoughts on this, but, I have to agree with Denise and Ernestine and the others who would like to have some privacy in discussing issues like this.

Then I have another question, which is hopefully not too OT: Does GCU have any info on how many customers actually read the forums? Is there any way to track that? Just curious. Sorry, that was actually 2 questions!

Penny

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DENISE_132110

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Posts: 769

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #35 - Sep 23^rd, 2010, 1:36pm

Quote from Penny_134243 on Sep 23^rd, 2010, 11:27am:

Does GCU have any info on how many customers actually read the forums? Is there any way to track that? Just curious.
Penny

Penny i have been told that not too many buyers read the forums. my experience is that i ALWAYS go read the forums if they are available, before i buy from a new company. after i read your post i went back and looked through the forum.. my thought is this:

if there is a general belief that buyers do not read the forums..make them ALL private, not accessible to buyers. even the general chatter that is suppose to be for buyers, turns out to be a place we air our frustrations with the company, card quality, and even with buyers ( what kind of impression does that leave?) ...none... NONE of that needs to be public. the forums all need to be private. have a place for buyers to read a how to order and a contact support button and leave the forums for the artists and admins to interact.

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Margaret_137714

GCU Newbies
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Posts: 48

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #36 - Sep 26^th, 2010, 5:53am

I personally won't do any customization without getting the full cut, and unless I know what exactly the customer wants, I'm not going to say yay or nay to changes in the first place or quote a price on it. Text changes - I don't have a problem with that, but color and design is a different story. I think GCU should stay out of it and just "contact the designer for customization" is plenty to get the process started. I don't do custom work without getting paid up front anyway. The designers here, if they're not doing that already, should put aside their fears. If someone refuses to pay up front, they are not serious.

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Ed_138263

Junior Member
artist

Posts: 81

Re: Feedback pls - Custom Work Fees
Reply #37 - Oct 21^st, 2010, 1:03pm

Sorry I missed this discussion. I am absolutely in favor of an upfront fee for custom cards. I had a request for one of my wedding invitations, first to add the names of the bride and groom to the front of the card, no problem, then could I change the color of the roses, then could I do half of them in Spanish and half in English, then could I add a poem to the left inside page. After getting all the specifics ironed out, I did the card and they never placed the order. So, yes, I think this is a great idea, but, it should be standard prices set before hand.

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