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I am putting together my first wholesale line sheet.  I am just curious what other potters have for their payment "rules". What do you use for your wording?  

I am accepting credit card.  Do you do ½ payment before you make the work then charge the other ½ with shipping?  Do you just charge the credit card when the order is done? Or, do you charge up front?  

I do plan on carrying some inventory, but there will be orders where I need to complete all of the work before shipping.  

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First orders are usually pre paid by credit card. Shipping can be charged then or prior to shipping.

You usually set a minimum number of pieces or $ amount as well. You want a store to buy enough of your work so as to represent a few price points.

 

Re-orders can go to net 30 ... You can decide if you want checks or cards. Checks avoid credit card charges but the hassle is that they can be late or bounce or you have to call and remind them. Pay the fee and get your money. You can also set a minimum price on re orders too ... it is generally lower amount than the first order. You don't have to but it saves the hassle of shipping onesies.

 

Stores expect to have to make your minimum order and they expect to pre pay the first one so just state it. After that you can try to establish some sort of personal relationship that makes the rest easier.

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I have different terms for first-time orders, and for existing accounts. This is totally normal for the wholesale craft industry. First-time orders must meet a minimum dollar amount (mine is $500 but every artist can choose what makes sense for them). I don't ask for a deposit up front, but first-time orders must be paid in full before they ship. I just call them up when the pots are ready to ship, and they either send a check or provide a credit card number. You can learn a lot about a galleries' credit-worthiness by how smoothly this first order and payment goes. The good news is, most of the time it goes very smoothly. Any quality gallery won't mind doing this for the first order. I've found that the few times this process did not go smoothly, those galleries did not develop into meaningful relationships. Either they never ordered from me again, or I chose not to answer the phone when they called.

 

Once a gallery has established a relationship with me, I will give them net 30 invoices. And they don't need to make minimum orders. They can order one pot if they want, but given that the gallery pays for shipping, it doesn't make sense for them to order one pot. It happens sometimes "Help! My customer wants four of your bowls and I only have three."

 

Here is the wording of my terms on my pricesheet. You are welcome to use as much of this verbiage as you want:

 

- Prices listed here represent a 50% discount from retail prices.

- Minimum order for first-time buyers: $500. First-time orders must be pre-paid by check or credit card before shipment.

- No minimum order for established accounts. Established accounts can opt for Net 30 invoices.

- Shipments will be made by UPS Ground. Actual UPS costs will be charged. No packing or handling fees.

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> I've found that the few times this process did not go smoothly, those galleries did not develop into meaningful relationships. Either they never ordered from me again, or I chose not to answer the phone when they called. <

 

I agree 100%. First impressions on both sides are important indicators of where it's going later.

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Thank you both so much!! This is what I have so far.  Please let me know if you see any red flags.

 

Wholesale Ordering
Wholesale order minimum $200.
Order in multiples of 4 with matching color, shape, and design. 
Wholesale orders take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete depending on production schedule and order complexity.  
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Accepted.  Terms may be negotiated after business relationship has formed.
 
Shipping
Shipping and packaging to be calculated when order is finished and added to final payment.
Contact me with any requests for delivery dates and I will do my best to accommodate. 
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