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#1 2007-08-02 04:38:43
- blackie
- New member
- Posts: 2
Deposit for bespoke
Hi all,
Having a few shirts made by Alexander Boyd in London. Paid a deposit for the first two shirts, one of them being the test shirt. Now he wants me to pay a large deposit for the rest of the order of six shirts. And this is even before the test shirt has arrived, worn and washed. My question is if this is standard protocol?
Regards,
Blackie
#2 2007-08-02 04:51:46
- rsmeyer
- Member
- From: Chevy Chase, MD
- Posts: 751
Re: Deposit for bespoke
A single deposit should suffice.
#4 2007-08-02 08:13:26
- Film Noir Buff
- Dandy Nightmare
- From: Devil's Island
- Posts: 9345
Re: Deposit for bespoke
I would be diplomatic about it but I wouldnt pay a 2nd deposit that was only broached to me after I paid the first one. Plus it's unecessary until you are sure he can make a shirt for you that you approve of.
Also, like Jprowls suggests, as a new customer, the sample shirt is important so what's the rush for the rest of the order? As the relationship warms, you can work out different arrangements. And there is no standard practice.
#5 2007-08-02 08:18:40
- blackie
- New member
- Posts: 2
Re: Deposit for bespoke
Thank you very much for your prompt and kind reply, gentlemen.
Regards,
Blackie
#6 2007-08-02 08:21:54
- jsprowls9
- Member
- From: Denver, CO
- Posts: 250
Re: Deposit for bespoke
You'll notice you opened yourself to differing opinions from the different boards. You'll need to take some time and weigh carefully the copious amounts of info (noise) you receive, now.
Though, Carl does raise a valid counter point. I stand by my previous.
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72048
Last edited by jsprowls9 (2007-08-02 08:24:25)
#7 2007-08-02 08:38:05
- The_Shooman
- A pretty face
- From: AUSTRALIA
- Posts: 13195
Re: Deposit for bespoke
Last edited by The_Shooman (2007-08-02 08:57:32)
#11 2007-08-02 22:32:31
- Horace
- Member
- Posts: 6433
Re: Deposit for bespoke
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#12 2007-08-05 08:43:54
- Film Noir Buff
- Dandy Nightmare
- From: Devil's Island
- Posts: 9345
Re: Deposit for bespoke
the bottom line is that you need to put down some money for your order. There is a goodly percentage of men who have second thoughts or distractions and never pick up an order. Whenever I recommend someone I always braoch the subject on behalf of the maker. The flipside is how amazingly how hard it is for makers to bring up money/deposits.
#13 2007-08-11 11:07:24
- MiamiRob
- Member
- Posts: 18
Re: Deposit for bespoke
I would pay the tailor for the entire order up front. I write the check for the full amount. Doing so is a strong gesture of good faith and shows that I intend to be a serious client. Tailors loose money on the first shirts they make because they have to spend so much time perfecting the pattern. At a minimum, I'd give him the deposit he is requesting. If you have concerns that his work is not going to be up to par, then cut off the relationship now. For a great tailor, a client waiting to see a first shirt before the client will pay for part of a larger order, is probably viewed by the tailor as an insult. I think that you are lucky that the tailor would even accept a two shirt order.
To me, it is a good thing that the tailor wants the deposit for the six shirts now. He is asking you to show him that you are serious. So do that and give him, at a minimum, the deposit he wants. If you are concerned that he won't deliver, charge it on Amex. Amex will definitely stand behind you if something goes wrong. I assume that the shirts are $500 to $800 a piece. So, at the most, you are risking less than $5K. It's not as if you are ordering six suits.
Rob