I'm working on my order contract and so far there seems to be a lot of info I want to include to sufficiently cover all bases. I don't want to scare my clients with a super long document but since I have provisions for different scenarios e.g. responsibilities when I deliver vs when they pick up, not all the sections will apply to each client. As much as I would like to have a shorter version for smaller orders (less than $150.00), I like the convenience of one document with each client just initialing whichever applies to them.
How long is your contract? Do you have a different one for different types of events or do you use one form?
Maybe since I am just starting out with formalization, my order form is only one page. I've been semi-professional for awhile, just moving into doing this for people I might not personally know so that necessitated something written. I guess I haven't fallen into some pitfalls noted here yet.
On another note, I own a business that has been in business for nearly 100 years (passed down in the family) and its contract has gone from none, just a handshake, to an index card, to a 8.5x11 to its present legal size. I do understand that circumstances cause for additional clauses, but I have been very attentive to what necessitates a clause worthy of all contracts, and what is an outlier. I find that the longer the contract, the attention span of the client wanes.
I find that the longer the contract, the attention span of the client wanes.
This ^^ is what worries me. I'm working on putting only the most important stuff to shorten it. I'd hate to leave something out and then have it come bite me in the backside later. Thanks for sharing akaivyleaf.
My contract is four pages long and the client has to initial each page then sign the last page. If they get bored and don't read it, oh well, as long as they initial it I'm happy.
Thanks FrostThis. I sent you an email.
Costumeczar what I currently have is a little over 4 pages. I know you do mostly weddings, so I can see how that would be longer. Do you use the same contract for non-wedding cakes? I just feel weird about giving a client a 4 page long contract to sign for an $85 cake.
Thanks FrostThis. I sent you an email.
Costumeczar what I currently have is a little over 4 pages. I know you do mostly weddings, so I can see how that would be longer. Do you use the same contract for non-wedding cakes? I just feel weird about giving a client a 4 page long contract to sign for an $85 cake.
I pretty much use it for everything, unless it's a client who's bought a wedding cake in the past and is just getting a little birthday cake or something. Anything that's custom and I'm going to have to put any kind of work into is going to have a contract with it. Put it this way, if refunding the entire amount of the cake is going to be a painful thing I'll use a contract. If I do a little $50 anniversary cake for someone that takes ten minutes to decorate and they don't like it I'll be po'ed about refunding, but I'll do it and it won't hurt me. For a $250 3-D car cake I'm going to use a contract.
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