I can only say that I would eat the cost and do what it takes to make her a happy camper.
The same thing I do selling commodity items.
Custom order vent...
- Thread starter Carl Fisher
- Start date
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The same thing I do selling commodity items.
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SteveJ
Member
Hey, those aren't pictures of the same pen.....One looks like a men's pen and the other looks like a lady's pen....
There's your answer right there - is the second picture closer to the real-life colour of the pen?
Carl Fisher
Member
Still here and still reading the replies 
To Andrews point about the picture, the second one posted looks over exposed and the white actually washes out the pen on my monitor. That being said, if I hold the actual pen up to my montior's representation of the picture, it's pretty true to color. Not saying it's such on her monitor but what I'll probably do is send her pictures of the original and ask her if it looks the same as she remembered it.
I think what she ultimately didn't like was the fact that the figuring in that piece darkened the wood. The initial piece, although from the same tree and in this case ultimately from the same slab was very clear as far as silver maple goes. She lives down in Florida so I can't show it to her in person. As for just finishing it and sending it, because it's being engraved, showing the picture to me was an insurance policy before I had it personalized and unsellable in any other venue.
Lots of good advice and food for thought. I am however going try a second version trying to find as clear of a piece as I can to keep the light look. I'm also going to forgo any portion of the finish that might darken the look (oil before CA). This time I'm also going to let her see it before I assemble so I can keep the kit for another project if we decide that I can't meet her request and we decide to part ways.
I'm willing to give someone a second chance and she has since eased up on her time frame and allowed me the time to try again. But she is also aware that this is the last attempt.
Going forward I think I'll put a non-refundable clause on the deposit of all special orders. No different than what you deal with when you get paint mixed. Once it's mixed, if it's the wrong color, too bad.
To Andrews point about the picture, the second one posted looks over exposed and the white actually washes out the pen on my monitor. That being said, if I hold the actual pen up to my montior's representation of the picture, it's pretty true to color. Not saying it's such on her monitor but what I'll probably do is send her pictures of the original and ask her if it looks the same as she remembered it.
I think what she ultimately didn't like was the fact that the figuring in that piece darkened the wood. The initial piece, although from the same tree and in this case ultimately from the same slab was very clear as far as silver maple goes. She lives down in Florida so I can't show it to her in person. As for just finishing it and sending it, because it's being engraved, showing the picture to me was an insurance policy before I had it personalized and unsellable in any other venue.
Lots of good advice and food for thought. I am however going try a second version trying to find as clear of a piece as I can to keep the light look. I'm also going to forgo any portion of the finish that might darken the look (oil before CA). This time I'm also going to let her see it before I assemble so I can keep the kit for another project if we decide that I can't meet her request and we decide to part ways.
I'm willing to give someone a second chance and she has since eased up on her time frame and allowed me the time to try again. But she is also aware that this is the last attempt.
Going forward I think I'll put a non-refundable clause on the deposit of all special orders. No different than what you deal with when you get paint mixed. Once it's mixed, if it's the wrong color, too bad.
Carl Fisher
Member
I should also add that I'm going to start requiring 100% payment for any engraved orders before they ever go to the engraver. Once it's personalized, you own it no matter what.
LL Woodworks
Member
If you are going to try and satisfy her vs telling her to take a hike; I'm not sure that I wouldn't turn and finish a small piece of the stock, send it to her for her opinion opposed to sending more photos. You may not be able to please her and your out only a small piece of stock. Just Saying !!
Still here and still reading the replies
To Andrews point about the picture, the second one posted looks over exposed and the white actually washes out the pen on my monitor. That being said, if I hold the actual pen up to my montior's representation of the picture, it's pretty true to color. Not saying it's such on her monitor but what I'll probably do is send her pictures of the original and ask her if it looks the same as she remembered it.
I think what she ultimately didn't like was the fact that the figuring in that piece darkened the wood. The initial piece, although from the same tree and in this case ultimately from the same slab was very clear as far as silver maple goes. She lives down in Florida so I can't show it to her in person. As for just finishing it and sending it, because it's being engraved, showing the picture to me was an insurance policy before I had it personalized and unsellable in any other venue.
Lots of good advice and food for thought. I am however going try a second version trying to find as clear of a piece as I can to keep the light look. I'm also going to forgo any portion of the finish that might darken the look (oil before CA). This time I'm also going to let her see it before I assemble so I can keep the kit for another project if we decide that I can't meet her request and we decide to part ways.
I'm willing to give someone a second chance and she has since eased up on her time frame and allowed me the time to try again. But she is also aware that this is the last attempt.
Going forward I think I'll put a non-refundable clause on the deposit of all special orders. No different than what you deal with when you get paint mixed. Once it's mixed, if it's the wrong color, too bad.
Not where I buy my paint - if it's the wrong color the store owns it. Unless I have agreed that it was the right color and left the store with it, then there is no return.
TellicoTurning
Member
My solution is simple.... I don't do custom orders... pick from stock or move on... to me it's just not worth the hassle.
raar25
Member
I suggest you cut up a few blanks and send her a picture of the wood and let her pick the one she likes. If she doesnt like any of them then thank her for the chance but unfortunately you don't have a piece of wood that meets her needs and send her the money back. This prevents you from investing the time and cost of making another pen.
sbell111
Member
I would like to do that, but I'm greedy.
Most of our special orders are generated at shows if a person likes one style of pen but would like it using wood that they see on our table on a different style of pen. Typically, these are super popular/premium materials that we sell out of during the show, but not always. These special orders allow us to increase our sales without making huge additions to show inventory.