Great link, I'll show that around for people in doubt. Thanks for sharing!

I can sympathize with someone's struggle with whether or not to turn down commissions. I've had several people ask me to make certain puppets for them, and so far I have only made one. Some of you may remember the purple Wimble puppet I made sometime last year for a friend who promised to pay me? Well, since I am writing here, you can probably guess whether or not I got paid. Nope, not a dime. The puppet still sits here in my house, finished and ready to go, but I keep getting excuse after excuse from them about paying me for it. I threatened to sell the puppet to someone else on Ebay, and even that didn't make them cough up the money.

From now on, as I would advise anyone, don't make anything custom for anyone unless you get some (perhaps even half) of the cost up front. Then if the client ducks you about paying, at least you got SOMETHING.

I would easily say no to anyone I didn't know personally who just wanted one because they were neat or whatever. I try to make mine as professionally as possible, which means they aren't kids toys, and can't be handled or stored carelessly or they will get ruined. I can't see the point of making a potentially hundreds-of-dollars-worth puppet for someone to give a 5 year old, or have them sit it in a window or on a shelf to rot away.

I also think a lot of the reason to say no will simply be gut instinct. If you get a bad feeling about it, don't do it.

I can sympathize with someone's struggle with whether or not to turn down commissions. I've had several people ask me to make certain puppets for them, and so far I have only made one. Some of you may remember the purple Wimble puppet I made sometime last year for a friend who promised to pay me? Well, since I am writing here, you can probably guess whether or not I got paid. Nope, not a dime. The puppet still sits here in my house, finished and ready to go, but I keep getting excuse after excuse from them about paying me for it. I threatened to sell the puppet to someone else on Ebay, and even that didn't make them cough up the money.

I make sure that if I offer to make a puppet (in this case, it's different as I was to be provided with an item to modify) that I state that if payment is not received, I reserve the right to sell it to someone else. I would give a reasonable amount of time; but after that, whether the person likes it or not, I'd put it up for sale. If they really want it so much, they'll have to buy it from wherever I'm selling it.

From now on, as I would advise anyone, don't make anything custom for anyone unless you get some (perhaps even half) of the cost up front. Then if the client ducks you about paying, at least you got SOMETHING.

I always ask for a deposit - learned that the hard way - but in this case I only asked 10% which certainly wasn't enough. From now on I'll increase it to 50%, if I do accept any commissions at all.

I would easily say no to anyone I didn't know personally who just wanted one because they were neat or whatever. I try to make mine as professionally as possible, which means they aren't kids toys, and can't be handled or stored carelessly or they will get ruined. I can't see the point of making a potentially hundreds-of-dollars-worth puppet for someone to give a 5 year old, or have them sit it in a window or on a shelf to rot away.

I totally agree. In particular, because puppet makers are so hard to find in Australia, the majority of people who commission are using the puppet/s for professional performance. The majority of people who are buying pre-made puppets or patterns tend to be teachers.

I also think a lot of the reason to say no will simply be gut instinct. If you get a bad feeling about it, don't do it.

Yep, I keep ignoring my gut and listening to my bank account. (Luckily I got some freelance work this week from a regular employer - not puppetry though - so I can make up for it elsewhere)

You are very welcome for the statment. We had lots of discussions here concerning creative work and bookeeping necessisties, so I was right into it.
For your question: I am really not planning on doing anything on commission. First of all because I'd abhor the risks involved. Then I think it might be hard to stick to your creative flow if somebody else decides the direction of this fickle stream. (I am really impressed with anybody who can do that, thumbs up) and -of course- how could I stick to a deadline when all I know is: I could be ill for weeks. That could happen anytime and having a customer breath down my neck would not help. On the other hand it is true I got my disability pension, so I don't need to get anything done.

Sorry, I did mean 'you' in the plural sense. I'm curious to find out what other people's policies are when taking commissions.

I'm happy working towards deadlines, and frankly, if a client can't understand being sick and not being able to work, then I would think they're not the kind of person to be working for anyway.

There's also a fine line between collaboration and exchange of ideas between client/business; and micromanaging or dictation. I often read other people's comments about clients - in web design or graphic design - and think "if you're not going to let the person design, then just do it yourself!"

Na,
   We don't work on commission, so I can't speak directly to your questions, but here is a very good article on "Working on Commission".  http://www.artbusiness.com/commission.html. 

Some of the above article is great, but problematic for me. I work from home, and I am definitely not inviting anyone to come by to see my work; I offer a neutral place if they want to see my puppets.

In terms of making detailed inquiries to the potential client (explained a little below), most people here looking for commissions are working on a professional show/film/whatever. They also tend to severely underestimate how long it takes to make a puppet and are usually looking at a deadline of a few weeks, a month, or at the most, two. On top of which, people aren't asking for you to invent your own character; people have specific ideas and characters in mind and then just expect you to get on with it.

In discussing this with a local Aussie person - someone in marketing - it became obvious to me that the American puppet market and the Aussie one is considerably different. One of my questions is whether or not puppet makers in the US are treated as artists/professionals; here we are treated more of artists/hobbyists. I find the more I question the person as to what they want and how they want it, the less interested they are in my services (see above anecdote about the year long attempt at a job).

There is also a huge difference between creating an artwork and creating a puppet; we all know there is the need to account for practicalities and mechanics that a painter will never have to deal with. In this case, we have more of a need to establish decent communication and to be able to collaborate over problems and design.

And lastly: I see articles like this all the time on the net, but I never see articles about what do to after you take on a job and have problems (except the occasional, "what to do if they don't pay?"). It'd be nice if someone out there wrote about the middleground, where you do everything right, you haven't gotten to the 'acceptance' part of the commission, and the client disappears anyway.

 

  We start by asking a lot of questions about their expectations via email, then move on to a phone conversation, never in person.  99% of our clients are out of state or country, so meeting is not possible.  These days with the internet you can email photos, drawings etc...not really necessary to meet face to face.  We leave the face to face time to conferences. 

I only ever receive online requests - 90% of those are from people who aren't in my area (ie. America) and for puppets I don't know how/care to make. I find the rest disappear as soon as you mention money; I prefer arranging face-to-face meetings as it suggests a commitment from them.

I agree that communication online is better: I also prefer contacting people via email so that I have written copies of what I say and what they say and what is agreed to.

Hey folks,

I thought I would throw my two cents in. Hopefully some of this data will help you.

Here is a formula to help you first off price the puppet properly.

#of hours to build
x rate of builder
x 20%
+ cost of materials
+ 20%

If you stick with that it will help you should not lose money.

Dealing with customers---
Most of my commission work comes directly from email or referral.

So, I ask the client to be as specific as they can about what they want to have built. I have a large questionare to help them get started. Be sure to ask them for the a sketch front, 3/4, and profile. Also ask if there is a deadline. If they have no sketch offer to draw it for them for a fee.

Once you get all your info back take a look at materials and a rough estimate of time and submit a quote back to the client using the formula above. Also state that a 50% non refundable deposit is required to start on the project.

If they say your quote is to high or don't have the money. Be kind and say thank you for thinking of me and please let me know in the future if you have any other puppets to build. It always pays to be nice!!

Building the puppet---
Once money has been received start planning your build, start ordering materials, etc.. BE SURE TO KEEP RECEIPTS You can use all of the receipts towards write off for taxes. This includes gas or mileage, feathers, whatever.. If it is a cost because of the build keep a receipt.

Progress with clients----
Once you have received your supplies and start building. I like to send photos and updates to the client of the puppet. I also request approval at critical points to make sure I'm on the right track. Please remember time emailing the client should be factored into your hours to build a puppet.

The Puppet is DONE!!!---
Send a finished photo, video usually makes clients even happier. They should be ecstatic and happy since you got approval throughout the process. Request the rest of the payment plus shipping.

Final steps---
Take photos of your work!!! This helps you get MORE WORK!!! which is what you want right? Payment has cleared through the bank. Now time to send the puppet be sure to get a delivery confirmation and tracking number. This way they cannot say they didn't receive it. I also like to send a thank you note along with the puppet and a business card.

I hope this helps--- (last tips)

Be professional the whole way
Be proud of the work
Always finish early
REMEMBER You deserve to be paid!!

Onath, great advice! I will definitely implement that type of strategy once I begin selling!

I agree with what others have said. Sometimes no money is better than losing more money (your time, etc.). Here are a few experiences I have had. Not exactly like yours, but each unique in its own way.

I am pretty mellow, but at one point I mailed a check back to a lady and told her to find someone else to do the work. This was after I had spent hours determining exactly what she wanted, getting her approval and receiving payment (I require custom work paid in advance). She then thought she owned me, and either called or emailed numerous times a day, always managing to work in the question "and when do you think this will be finished" (the finish date was listed in the contract). 

I recently turned down a commission after seeing pictures of the items the customer wanted.  She requested pricing on several puppets, including a break down on ordering one of each, five of each, twenty, 100 and larger quantities.  Basically she wanted a sort of sock puppet. I don't make those, although I can. To create the puppets she wanted would have been very time consuming (I know, you would think a sock puppet would be easy and quick).  I realized that she probably had no idea what custom work costs, and would not want to pay the prices I would have to charge to make it worthwhile. Rather than waste my time and hers I declined.

I also turned down a chance (a couple years ago) to create a puppet for a publishing company. They wanted you to create a puppet and price it out. Then they would choose the one they wanted from all entered and contract with the "winner" to make huge quantities of this puppet. Being familiar with what they have done in the past, I knew I could not compete and I really am not set up to mass produce puppets, so I politely declined. They continue to contract with a company that has them mass produced in China.

Thankfully, there are plenty of great customers to offset the other ones!

I recently turned down a commission after seeing pictures of the items the customer wanted.  She requested pricing on several puppets, including a break down on ordering one of each, five of each, twenty, 100 and larger quantities.  Basically she wanted a sort of sock puppet. I don't make those, although I can. To create the puppets she wanted would have been very time consuming (I know, you would think a sock puppet would be easy and quick).  I realized that she probably had no idea what custom work costs, and would not want to pay the prices I would have to charge to make it worthwhile. Rather than waste my time and hers I declined.

I'll reply to the rest in a second, but actually there are some scammers out there who use this type of inquiry: they list an item and of an unusual quantity, requesting an invoice via an unusual method (ie. you bill a shipping company that isn't a national postal service) and then expect you to bill that company. Really all it is is a scam.

Thought I'd mention it because it almost got me once as it's very easy to fall for, but luckily did some research before taking it too seriously. Not saying this is what it was for you, but other people might like to know about it in order to steer clear.

I am pretty mellow, but at one point I mailed a check back to a lady and told her to find someone else to do the work. This was after I had spent hours determining exactly what she wanted, getting her approval and receiving payment (I require custom work paid in advance). She then thought she owned me, and either called or emailed numerous times a day, always managing to work in the question "and when do you think this will be finished" (the finish date was listed in the contract). 

I can understand that - I recently remarked to someone else that there's a fine line between collaboration and discussion, and micromanagement. I enjoy working in tandem with other people; but don't enjoy being 'told' how something should work or look. If the client absolutely must have something a particular way, then they are not willing to trust someone else's expertise and should simply learn how to do it themselves.

I also turned down a chance (a couple years ago) to create a puppet for a publishing company. They wanted you to create a puppet and price it out. Then they would choose the one they wanted from all entered and contract with the "winner" to make huge quantities of this puppet. Being familiar with what they have done in the past, I knew I could not compete and I really am not set up to mass produce puppets, so I politely declined. They continue to contract with a company that has them mass produced in China.

This happens in web design/graphic design too. There's a lot of controversy over the usefulness/fairness to the artist, who can end up wasting a lot of time submitting work and not getting anything for it; alternatively getting ripped off and their work used without being paid; or the competition is sub-standard and other competitors are just hobbyists submitting fairly bad work.

I've never considered entering something like that - even if it were to happen locally, which it doesn't - and probably never would. Submitting something for a competition and prize is one thing; submitting to receive a contract is different.

A side note: I've had experience with Etsy and using their 'Alchemy' section where you list a project/item and a budget and then people compete for the listing. (Compete can mean many things, such as asking for artwork/examples, or just a quote that fits) If the budget is very low - and it usually is - then you get very low quality replies back. This may be true of my experience only, but certainly I wouldn't trust this method again. Far easier to contact someone whose work you like and request a quote.