|
The Craftsman trap. Taking money up front to pay for materials usually leads them to be taking orders to pay for materials to fulfill previous orders, If one gets faulty supplies then they just fall farther behind. So some makers have to make 'Bread and Butter pieces that sell quickly to pay for the materials to make the higher dollar pieces. This was real present in the custom knife world for awhile, still is to some extent. If an emergency comes up such as worn out equip or health problems it can totally blow thing to pieces. I stopped taking orders for knives to catch up, I lost customers. I filled all my orders I had left and have not taken any orders since. I make a few knives now and then and sell them after they are complete. I take no money up front and design the knives how I want. I have a lot of broken equip and no money to replace it.
I now have less stress because I finally admitted that I am an artist not a buisnessman. I make a few pieces and sell them if I can but don't take orders.
I am sure that the makers that are having problems will eventually catch up or get a good person to run their buisness so they can concentrate on their art.
A word to the wise, some products are easier to make then others, so when one gets behind on orders it is less stressfull to work on the easy ones first and get them out. This is a trap, Makers really need to set prioritys and stick to them.
I offer this as a failed buisnessman. There are really no good excuses because they are just that, excuses as to why the buisness is flopping. I had to face facts that I was overextended and had to deal with it.
|