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I wasn't sure what was the right thing to do so I just let her slide but I'm wondering what others do in this situation.
I had a lady order 50 ornaments and 9 centerpieces for a party. She just called this morning and said she still wants the ornaments but changed her mind on the centerpieces. She hasn't even seen the ones I made so that is not why she cancelled and she said she would pay me a little every month starting the first of next year because she felt bad but I told her nevermind. That I would find elsewhere to sell or gift them. That is kind of killing me since I was counting on the money for Christmas and losing $180 hurts (especially since I gave her a discount price for ordering so much) but I just felt bad. What should I have done?

I have had that happen before and now I take a non refundable deposit around 50%. Also make sure that you have a invoice of the cost and the deposit and that she will not receive her deposit back if she changes her mind. Make sure she signs it and give her a copy.

I would not do business with her.

Sorry to hear about your cancellation.

Unfortunately cancellations are a part of any business. Unless you have some kind of poliies in place to protect yourself you pretty much have to accept it.
A non-refundable deposit is probably the best way to go. You can also state that with a pre-order it can't be canceled after a certain date (because you will have already started production).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rainee,

Maybe she should have signed an agreemnet paper.

Thank you all for the great ideas. I will definitely do that from now on. I didn't even stop to think about anything like that this time because it was a friend of my sister's but since she placed the order my sister said she has been acting funny so maybe she placed the order and then figured it was too much money for her to handle during the holidays or something. I'm not too worried because I already have 2 of them sold but I just figured I'd ask so next time I won't have to go through this again. If they give that non-refundable deposit it will make it harder for them to cancel especially with a signed agreement. Thanks again.

Hjvagar, I wouldn't know what to do either. But you were very kind and thoughtful.
But now you are a little smarter for the next big order that comes in.
People have to realize that handmade items or different then shopping at Walmart.
I think a non refundable deposit large enough to cover the supplies would be a good idea on the next order.