JimC Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 This question has probably been asked before but cant see anything when searched . It is, what,if any deposit do you ask of a customer for a job that cannot be done while they wait? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 100% upfront on all shoe repairs and engraving jobs.You soon find you don't get left with any repairs uncollected at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 100% pay on collection, you wouldn't expect to pay for a car service before it was done. build a relationship with your customers & you'll gain more than the odd pair that's left behind. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I give a choice. Many will pay up front anyway if you give the option. On car Key jobs I take a deposit almost always. I'm kinda with Lee though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I have a sign saying repairs are to be paid for in advance. However, as part of the transaction of taking in the shoes I normally ask "do you want to pay now or when you collect?" That way people have the choice. If they say they'll pay on collection, it leads me nicely to "Could I take a name & phone number please" That way I'm covered. Since starting doing it this way I have never had so few repairs waiting to be collected. Never even thought of asking for payment in advance for engraving - on the whole I have an item of value that they need, so I'm much less likely to be left with it than a pair of shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 gain more than the odd pair that's left behind. Lee We don't get left with any at all. I have a friend who is a lot cheaper than us (roughly half our prices) less than 1/4 mile away and he must have well over 100 pairs uncollected and unpaid for every year. He must be out of pocket by over £1000 each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobblers&keys Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I always ask for full payment on engraving jobs that I have supplied because if a customer sees the same or similar item else were or changes their mind I have wasted my stock. I also take pre payment on key orders when I need to order ''special key blanks'' (keys I don't stock) but with shoe repairs when a customer brings a pair in I discuss the job then say "that will be 10 pounds then please" and leave it with them and they normaly hand over the money anyway but I don't insist on any money being handed over cos some would say you've got my shoes as deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John P Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I would tend to agree with Lee on this one,though with some customers whom Im wary of I ask for 50% up front.JP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 It depends on the customer and the job to be honest. -If somebody comes in who looks like they have a soap allergy and wants you to through sole a pair of shoes she's bought from Shoe Zone, then I'll ask for a deposit/payment in advance. -If somebody pulls up outside in a Range Rover and brings in a pair of Cheaneys for Sole and Heel, then they will be given the choice. -Regular Customers are usually given the choice. Some will think this is prejudiced but at the end of the day, it's a business and I dont want to waste valuable hours of time for nothing. Use your intuition. Just noticed this topic is in the Engraving section. We always take at least a deposit if we are making a sign or engraving one of our own gifts. If it's the customers' own item then payment on collection is nearly always fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakeemz Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 If somebody comes in who looks like they have a soap allergy and wants you to through sole a pair of shoes she's bought from Shoe Zone, then I'll ask for a deposit/payment in advance. -If somebody pulls up outside in a Range Rover and brings in a pair of Cheaneys for Sole and Heel, then they will be given the choice. i agree i do the same but only in opposite order, guys in range rovers i dont trust and somehow they always haggle,even for 1 key or tiniest of amounts.. its the lower middle or working class whcih pays good money without haggling and gets my attention too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted February 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Thanks to all for your feedback.I don't do shoerepairs or engraving, I do sublimation, however I'm hoping to add a U-marq engraver in the future. As the work I do at the moment is B2B naitionwide the deposit situation doesn't arise, however I'm in the process of creating a display area in my unit for local retail so anyone who orders a printed item and doen't return to collect then that item would be of no use to anyone else. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Fix Elgin Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I also do sublimation and shoe repaire, keys, engraving, watch repairs.....In january 2011 I started pre payment on everything....it was the best thing I have ever done, whatever is left or forgoton adout by a customer I dont mind cos its payed for....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I also do sublimation and shoe repaire, keys, engraving, watch repairs.....In january 2011 I started pre payment on everything....it was the best thing I have ever done, whatever is left or forgoton adout by a customer I dont mind cos its payed for....... Absolutely spot on. =D> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 i pre pay nothing even when customers hand in shoes and say ill just pay the now i say no all shoesvare paid on collection.that way no mater who serves them they know they still need paid. the only items that are prepaid is our gifts to be engraved as unsellable if not collected. customers own items and trophies are all pay on collection it builds up trust. craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I'm also with Lee to a certain degree. But there is always an exception were a deposit is required. bispoke signage, expensive repairs on cheap shoes. We generally trust most of our customers to collect, but sometimes you just know the ones that won't . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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