Paying customers

There is a lot of debate on how to charge for crocheted handmade products and below I discuss my opinion.

Like any other product or service, patterns and crochet pieces are made in exchange for money - that is the rule of the trade all over the world.

I have heard so many owners of small businesses that complain that the customers paid a deposit for a queen sized blanket, enough to buy the yarn but then changed their mind and do not want the blanket. Of course, they do not realise how much work goes in to making a handmade queen size blanket.

Therefore, I believe that as with any other product, regardless of the waiting time, the customer should pay up-front!

Yes, Pay upfront - as simple as that !

Calculate the cost of the wool, the cost of the time at least minimum wage - that is to be questioned- and your skills so really triple the cost of wool, to say the least.

Now, for family and friends as costumers, one would think it should be different as they are closer but I disagree. You might charge a family and friends rate for the item/ pattern, however the rule is the same - pay upfront in full.

I have had a fair share of requests for presents. I would wear one of my handmade pieces and they would say - 'that would be a perfect present for my birthday!' Or 'Santa should send me one of these'. People expect to be given things, not realising how much it costs or how much time it takes to make one piece.

You have to be fair to yourself as a crocheter, designer and ultimately a trader. The customer might be right but once you have agreed on type of yarn and pattern - they should simply pay upfront and wait for the crocheted product to be finished and posted to them.

There is nothing unfair to the customer about that.