Sorry to be a bit vague with the subject. Not sure how I'd word it.
Anyhoo.... I've been looking at getting a neck made for my Tele and found a site that will make it to my specs. The guy is asking that I pay for him up front before he makes it. I've never done this before and as far as I'm aware, people like Mike tend to ask for payment once they've completed a job. Do you think there's anything out of the ordinary in them asking for payment first? They seem like a reputable business and I don't expect them to run off with my money but I just wanted to get some advice on whether this is common? Anyone had any similar experience? I would of thought a deposit would of been more suitable?
If this is in the wrong forum then feel free to move it on.
No way I'd pay up front. They could completely balls it up and you'd be stuffed. It's the one leverage to make sure you get what you want and a decent quality.
Yeah, that's what I thought. If I pay up front and it doesn't turn out exactly how I asked it to be made then I don't know how much leverage I'd have with trying to get a refund. I can imagine it'd be rather difficult. His prices aren't mega expensive and I wouldn't be devastated if it didn't turn out exactly how I wanted but money is money at the end of the day.
It could be fine but I'm not sure how comfortable I feel about paying the cash and then not hearing from them for 7-8 weeks(expected manufacture time)
I don't think it is uncommon. It certainly protects a business from spending 8 weeks working on something only for someone to change their mind and pull out of the deal. If you order anything from Allparts for example you have to pay immediately as with nearly every business. I think that people like Mike are the exception rather than the other way around.
If it's a proper business then pay on credit card and you have at least some form of cover. If it's some guy in his shed you are giving cash to then it is more difficult.
Thom wrote:I don't think it is uncommon. It certainly protects a business from spending 8 weeks working on something only for someone to change their mind and pull out of the deal. If you order anything from Allparts for example you have to pay immediately as with nearly every business. I think that people like Mike are the exception rather than the other way around.
If it's a proper business then pay on credit card and you have at least some form of cover. If it's some guy in his shed you are giving cash to then it is more difficult.
Yeah, I've been seeking advice this morning. I can see where they are coming from and don't really see a problem with doing it this way. They gave the exact same reason as you have just stated, whereby they spend that time making it and the customer could turn around 8 weeks down the line and say 'actually, I'm not that bothered about a new neck anymore....' then they have to try and sell that neck on, which has been custom made to my specs. Which could prove difficult.
I can't see much going wrong to be honest. I'm just a little wary as I've never had any experience with this sort of thing.
You hear plenty of stories where people have paid up front and then had to wait an age to get a product that was agreed to be delivered in a certain time. I think a deposit is much more reasonable for a small unknown business that could disappear quickly enough should they switch to NoHo customer service. If they're fairly established (like USACG or similar) I'd be happy to pay up front.
James wrote:You hear plenty of stories where people have paid up front and then had to wait an age to get a product that was agreed to be delivered in a certain time. I think a deposit is much more reasonable for a small unknown business that could disappear quickly enough should they switch to NoHo customer service. If they're fairly established (like USACG or similar) I'd be happy to pay up front.
If it is truly custom work then paying upfront is normal.
Paying upfront for a stock build is usually not although often times deposits are required.
With toally custom builds pay is often upfront becuase it may be specialized enough that they can not sell it fast/easy if you back out, and becuase they may have to put alot of extra time is designing/set up/building the custom piece.
They say great minds think alike....Sometimes we do too...
What's special about this Tele neck? Who's making it for you and how much are you planning to pay?
Based on experience and stories on the forum (and NoHo weren't the worst for taking money and not delivering for months/years, not by a long-shot) you should never give some guy the full amount without seeing the finished product. Pay 50% deposit at most or go elsewhere (I ask 30% when I build custom pedals. Mike asks for nothing and has been burned by flakey buyers a few times at least).
