Tutorial 3. Payment, Delivery, Policies

How are you going to take payment?

How are you going to get the artwork to the customer?

Can customers return or exchange their purchase?

If you decide the answers to these questions now, it will give you peace of mind when you start to sell your work. There are no right or wrong answers. Make decisions based on what is best for your business now.  Give yourself permission to change and grow. 

Payment

How you accept payment for your artwork is entirely for you to decide. There's no right or wrong. It's your choice, it's your business. That means never let the customer pressure you into taking a type of payment you're not comfortable with.

The type of payment you take can always change and grow as your business changes and grows.

Basic ways to take payment are;
  • Barter
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • any combination of the above

Let's talk pros and cons.

Barter

  • Pro - You might be able to get something you want without spending cash.
  • Con - The exchange value needs to be clear so that everyone feels like it's a fair exchange.

Cash

  • Pro - it's easy for the artist. No need to set up any merchant accounts. If you are just starting to sell your artwork and are upfront with your customers about how you take payment, it can be worked out.  Be prepared to tell them where the nearest ATM is. Be prepared to let them take the time to get the cash.
  • Pro - everybody understands cash. When the transaction happens it's clean and done.
  • Con - it's not always easiest for the buyer. People often don't carry a lot of cash.
  • Con - buyers like to use credit cards for miles and rewards.

Check

  • Pro - It softens the "I only take cash" stance a little if you say, "I take cash and checks."
  • Pro - People often have their checkbook with them.
  • Con - Checks can be risky if you don't know the person.
  • Con - Checks have to be cashed or deposited, so there's an extra step (time) for you.
Barter, cash and checks will require that you give the customer a receipt. You can purchase a receipt book at an office supply store or design one on your computer.  Online payments will send a receipt to the buyers email address. I recommend you also give a written receipt with a credit card payment.

Credit Cards

  • Pro - You make more sales. People will say they'll be back with the cash, or get back to you later and then they forget, or change their minds and the sale doesn't happen.
  • Pro - People like to use cards for miles and rewards, they are getting art and a bonus.
  • Pro - If people start talking about the cost you can say, "I take credit cards."
  • Con - You have to set up some kind way to take cards.

It's easier to take credit cards than it used to be.

PayPal

Lots of people have PayPal accounts and use them on a regular basis.
PayPal allows you to send invoices, has a *BUYNOW* button you can use to send people to a shopping cart and has a card reader you can use on your smart phone, iPad or tablet. Fees for the sales are deducted from your sales total.
Money from your sales goes into your PayPal account. Your account can be used to make other purchases or money can be transferred to your bank account.
Find out more about PayPal here https://www.paypal.com/us/home

Square

Square accepts credit cards on smart phones, iPads and tablets with a card reader. You can also send invoices.

*Square allows you to set up an online store with a shopping cart feature.* You can send customers to your items by using links on your website, in an email, or any place you can put a web address.
Square deposits money directly into your bank account.  It takes fees from the total of your sale.
Find out more about Square here https://squareup.com/

Here's a video how to use Square https://squareup.com/payments

I use Square.  If you decide to use Square for your credit card payments use this link to get up to $1,000 of payments free of fees for the first 180 days.  I will also receive the same perk.


You can also set up credit card processing through your bank and other online companies.  If you are just starting out PayPal and Square are the easiest to manage and set up. But always do your homework and get the best service for you.

Delivery

How are people going to get your beautiful art pieces?

  • Do they come and pick them up from you?  That's easiest for you.  If they come to your studio or home they can see your other pieces, they might see something else they need.
  • Do you deliver? That's easy for the customer and it's a nice service.  It also gives you a chance to see what they like, what other art they have.  Is there any other piece you have that would work for them that you could suggest? 
  • Do you ship? via UPS, USPS, FedEx, or combo? With more and more people shopping online customers expect to be able to get items delivered to their door from far away places. All of these services let you set up accounts.  From your account you can print labels and pay for the shipping. You can arrange for  pickup or drop off your prepaid items at their service centers.

Shipping

Shipping is a learning curve, that's for sure.  It takes some time to figure out how much to charge, which service is best for what.  Plus, these days with large companies charging almost nothing for shipping, it could be a little bit of a price shock for your buyer.  Especially if your prices are low.  For example if you are charging $100 for a 16"x 20" painting and you tell the buyer the shipping is $30, that seems like a lot. 

You also will need learn how to pack your pieces with love so they arrive in good condition.
HINT: If you're not sure if it's enough bubble wrap it probably isn't.

If you don't want to do the packing, you can use a local "pack and ship" service.  This will cost the customer more.  However, the packing will be professional.  
You can say with pride to your customers.
"I have all my paintings professionally packed and shipped to ensure their safe arrival."
or something similar.

Things I've learned about shipping

As of 2017:
The post office is less expensive for smaller items than UPS.

 The post office is less expensive for over seas shipments.

 UPS is less expensive than the post office for work 11" x 14" and larger, unless it can be safely shipping in a padded mailing envelope.

 The minimum charge for shipping a 16" x 20" painting should be $30, it's not just the shipping fees it's the time as well.

Policies

What are you going to do if a customer is unhappy?
You never want that to happen, but occasionally it might.
My thoughts on this are it's best to stay fluid and not have "hard and fast" rules.

Do your best to find a solution that works for your customer and you.

If your customer has a problem, let them talk and then say:
  • How can I help you?
  • Let's fix that!
  • What would you like me to do about that?
Let them tell you what they want. Then do your best to help them.

Here are some things that could happen;

  • The husband/wife could not like it
  • It arrived damaged
  • The colors don't work
  • It's not the right size
Don't anticipate problems, but understand that they come up sometimes and there is usually a solution that works for everyone.

 Steps to a sale
There's a checklist of steps I use when I finish and sell a painting. 
If you'd like to see it GO HERE

Okay! You set up your foundations is Lesson One.

You've made some  business decisions.

Now let's move on to "Show and Tell" aka  Lesson Two







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