Project Terms
Thank you for your interest in working with me to create
your project! I
have a few important terms and conditions that will be listed here. Covering
such things as a problem with your order, delays, cancellation terms, or
other situations that may be encountered. This information below is by no
means definitive, since each project and situation is unique. This page may
be revised without advance notice. Please check back for any updates.
About
working with me
I am an artist living in Washington State. I create fun
artistic projects that are considered hand made luxury items. Ordering from
me is not like placing an order through a "traditional" online store. I am
only one person, and do not work in a studio or with a team. The work I do
is not outsourced to other artists, so when you buy a project to me unless
it is mentioned otherwise (for example a collaboration) it is of my own
patterning and creation. Website updates, answering emails, and creating the
projects are all done by myself and your patience is appreciated throughout
the commission process.
Before starting a project I
require either a pre-payment or a down payment, which will be needed before I am
able to begin work for you. The down payment is a minimum of $25 or up to 30% of
the project's projected cost. I will not start work until a prepayment or
down payment is paid. If you have not put any money towards your project, I do
not have you scheduled and have not started your project.
- Currency: All currency exchanged is to be in United
States Dollars (USD).
- Cancellation: If you elect to cancel your
commission with me, any down payment or fees paid are strictly non-refundable.
Down
payments are a commitment to your transaction with me and act as your
reservation for a spot in my queue. Down payments also cover the first
few hours of my time, any additional time spent on the project itself,
as well as to help cover any subsequent gaps in my schedule as a result of your
cancellation.
- If a case where a partial refund is arranged
for a partially-completed commission, materials and time spent (at
my current hourly rate) will be taken into account. This will be
handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Down Payment: A down payment is typically 30% of the total
project cost. The exact cost varies from project to project.
- Payment Terms: The final cost is due upon
completion of your project. Payment for a project may be pre-paid in
full or made any time prior to completion.
- Shipping: Postage costs are not included
in any quoted amount. I am unable to provide shipping costs up front, as
the actual cost will depend on the size and weight of your project,
which will not be known until completion. I
am unable to predict these costs in advance. An
accurate shipping cost will be assessed once the project is completed
and can be boxed and weighed.
- If your project requires a budget that you
specify, potential shipping costs should be allowed on top of your
main project budget. The budget is only counted for the
project being created only, shipping is not able to be
considered in the budget due to the reasons specified above.
- International mail may not have reliable tracking once it exits
the USA, please consider paying for insurance on your project. I am
not responsible for any customs or import costs into foreign
countries. These potential costs should also be allowed on top of
your main project budget.
- Completion Dates: I use general due dates for
scheduling, upon acceptance of your project it is scheduled according to
its due date. Its possible an item may not be able to be completed
before your due date/early. A rush order fee may be required for
projects with short due dates or delivering a project early. If your
project requires a deadline, a fee will be paid to guarantee it.
- A "Deadline" fee is $60. It is assessed for any project I am
creating for you that you require a firm deadline for, or if during
the progress of your project you decide it is needed for a deadline,
regardless of how long it has been in my queue. Deadlines are
considered very specific dates, and the fee is not
covered by, or part of, shipping-related costs. If I do not meet
your deadline within a range of 3 days, the amount of $60 will
be refunded, otherwise it becomes part of the cost for your project
with deadline. If you delay payment, or payment complications arise
for any reason, the option for a deadline refund is void. If a
general due date is unacceptable for your project, you can only be
guaranteed a deadline by paying this fee. If you have not
paid this fee you do not have a deadline.
- A rush order fee will be assessed on a
case-by-case basis, it is a percentage-type fee that does not
include the, separate, deadline fee. Be sure to let me know your deadlines so I can
properly assess the time frame for your project.
- I only have a small amount of storage space for WIP and finished
projects, upon completion I intend to mail your project as soon as
possible. If mailing your item to you needs to be delayed for any
reason, let me know. Depending on the size of the item I have
completed for you, If it is over a month a storage fee may need to
be assessed.
- Missed Due Dates: I do my best to
accomplish projects by general due dates, if I miss a general due date and you no longer
want your project, the down payment will be kept, and a partial refund of any
payments may be offered to you (on a case-by-case basis) and I will keep
the project to re-sell at a loss. Otherwise if you intend to keep the
project, the project will be delivered to you as soon as I am able to
finish, unfortunately no discount will be offered.
- If you have paid the deadline fee, $60 will be returned to you
only if I miss that deadline past a range of 3 days. Unfortunately
no other discount, or shipping refund, will be offered. If you delay
payment, or payment complications arise for any reason, the option
for a deadline refund is void.
- Duct Tape Dummies: If a duct tape dummy is
required for your project, please
tape up your dummy along the cut lines once you are finished, if you
send a cut dummy that I need to tape back together I have a fee of $50 to cover my time. If I am unable to use your duct tape dummy for any
reason I will let you know, you may need to create a new one so please
be sure to do it correctly
- Guarantee: I guarantee my work 3 months from the date of
delivery. I will cover shipping within the USA (clients outside of the
USA we can discuss shipping options or referrals to colleagues who can
perform the repairs on my behalf) and repair your project for free if
it is something that is my error. Stitching, material failure, popped
seam work or anything that is an issue with how the item is made. This
also covers items you bought from me from my convention booth at
events.
- Second hand items are not covered by this guarantee, this
applies only to the item and their original owner.
- I am always learning and striving to improve, so be sure to let
me know if anything is off/wrong or not expected with your order,
even if you decide not to take advantage of my repair offer via the
guarantee. I still want to be able to learn from the experience you
had.
- If it is outside of the 3 month period, or needs repairs as a
result of careless wear, neglect, or if it is determined that the
item was misused or otherwise not my error, my standard
tailoring/refurbishing rates will apply. I am always happy to fix up
and refurbish my older pieces of work when required.
Thank you for considering me for your project! I hope to
work with you!
© Sara Howard 2016.