Hi Grace,
I have a business that is now almost only wholesale. My rules are as
follows:
-
First orders are ALWAYS C.O.D., (cash on delivery) or Pro-Forma,
(they send you a check up front, you wait until the check clears, and
then you send the work), unless the store buying my work is a
non-profit or a museum. Those stores have a complex payment set up,
and in those cases, I accept net thirty with references.
-
Subsequent orders can be given net-thirty…that is, the store is
allowed to pay for the product in thirty days, if I am sent a list of
credit references. I require three references, some people require
five references.
-
Check those references thoroughly…you might find out all kinds
of interesting things. One client uses me regularly as a reference.
When their prospective seller calls, I tell them that the client is a
lovely woman, who never ever pays on time, but she alway pays…
within two and a half months. For some, that is acceptable, others
wouldn’t consider her for credit. If their credit isn’t to your
liking, then keep them on C.O.D. or Pro-Forma.
-
ALWAYS call the buyer before shipping C.O.D. orders. Even if you
think that they are expecting it. Not only is it polite, you can
confirm the order at that time, add or subtract from that order, and
confirm that the buyer is prepared to pay for the order.
-
Be strict and consistant with your requirements. Same rules apply
for everybody. Its easier to keep track that way. I give out a
"Policy Sheet" to every new customer, that spells out what they can
expect from me, and what I expect from them. I’ve copied it
below…if it is too long for Hanuman, you can write me off list for
a copy. I find that this clears up almost all questions. Feel free to
plagerize, if you think it might help.
Good Luck,
Lisa, (Junkos and Warblers have appeared on the bird feeders…fall
must be here), Topanga, CA USA
Policies:
Thank you for placing your order with me. The list of policies
below, is to clarify any questions that you might have concerning
your order, and how it will be handled once it is placed, and after
it has been received. If, after reading this, you have any further
questions or comments, please contact me, and I will do my best to
respond ASAP.
Purchase Orders: Orders will be placed on my forms, confirmed, and
signed by the purchaser at the time of purchase. Changes to the
purchase order can be made up until 2 weeks prior to the ship date.
After that, orders for which casting or fabricating have already been
completed, will be assessed a 20% restocking fee, to compensate for
any expenditures already made to fill that order. If specific casting
or fabricating was not necessary for this order, no fee will be
assessed. Altering the final ship date, will accrue no fees unless
one of a kind items are involved. Please see =93One of a Kind=94 below=
,
for further explaination.
Cancellations: Orders may be cancelled in their entirety, up until 2
weeks prior to the ship date. Orders cancelled after that time will
be assessed a 20% restocking fee. No exceptions.
Shipping: Buyer will pay all shipping costs, including insurance,
but will not be charged for packing costs. Please note: Neither UPS,
nor Fed Ex will insure jewelry, precious metals, artworks or
gemstones for over $500. EVEN IF YOU PAY THEM FOR THE INSURANCE, AND
THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY TO INSURE IT. Rider insurance must be purchased
to compensate. Because of this, I prefer to ship your order either 3
Day Priority US Mail, or Registered Insured US Mail. Those methods
are very safe, and also less expensive to the buyer. All Orders will
be shipped with insurance, and some method of tracking the order.
CODS: All CODS Will be shipped via FED EX, with rider insurance.
Since Fed Ex is slightly more expensive than UPS, I will absorb the
cost difference between UPS and Fed EX. Please make COD checks out to
Byzantia, not to the shipper on the shipping form or box. Except for
Museums and Non Profit organizations, all first orders will be
shipped COD or Pro Forma. Due to the exorbitant COD shipping costs, I
prefer to ship Pro Forma for first orders, but will ship COD at the
buyer=92s request. I will always call the Buyer, prior to shipping any
COD order. Because I will never ship a COD order without your prior
approval, buyer will be charged for full shipping costs plus a 20%
restocking fee for a =93refused=94 COD.
Late Shipments: Occasionally there are situations beyond my control.
I will make every effort to get you your order on time, or to notify
you if there is a delay. Orders that pass their ship date may of
course be cancelled at any time. If you do not cancel the order, when
contacted, I will assume that you still want the order, and will ship
it when it is ready, or at a later ship date that you specify.
Invoicing: Unless otherwise requested, invoices will be shipped with
your order. Alternate invoicing requests should be specified at the
time of purchase. All first orders will be Pro Forma or COD, unless
you are a museum, or a non-profit organization. If you will provide
me with 3 or more verifiable references after the first order is
completed, I will provide you with a net-30 payment arrangement,
Payments: All company check, cashiers check, or money order payments
should be made out to =93Byzantia. I do not accept credit cards at thi=
s
time. Please do not postdate checks without approval. Please mail
payments 30 days from the ship date, not 30 days from receipt of the
order, to allow for mail delays.
Late payments: Excessive late payments, unless previously ok=92d by
me, will return the buyer to a Pro Forma/COD only status. If you need
to be late, please fax me a note, e-mail, or call.
One of a Kinds: One of a kind pieces will be set aside, removed from
the display case, and protected with your store=92s name placed on the=
m
at the time of your order. They will not be copied or resold unless
previously indicated to you prior to sale. One of a kind pieces can
be either shipped, or taken by you at the show to save shipping
costs. One of a kind items must be either shipped or paid for within
3 months of the purchase order being made, unless the items are being
fabricated at a later date, specifically to fill that order.
Returns: No returns. Exchanges only, with proper documentation. See
=93exchanges=94 below.
Exchanges: Please enclose a copy of the invoice that the work came
from, in order to verify the date of original purchase. I will
exchange undamaged jewelry after you have had it for a period not
less than three months, and within a one year period. I will not
exchange jewelry that has been in a store=92s posession for more than
one year. I will not exchange exchanges. Orders must be paid for in
full, prior to any exchanges made. There can be no exchanges made on
special orders
Repairs: I guarantee all of my work for a one year period, and will
repair any problems related to my workmanship, free of charge, and
will pay all shipping costs related to workmanship repairs. Any
repairs that are not related to my workmanship, i.e: customer/store
damage/natural disasters…including children/accidents, or after the
one year period has passed, (see, =93exchanges=94 above), will be
assessed the cost of materials, plus a nominal fee for the time spent
repairing the work, plus shipping costs. I will determine if the
repair is related to workmanship, and will notify you prior to
incurring any repair costs.
Thank you for your business!
Lisa Bialac-Jehle
BYZANTIA