Contracts for Corsetmakers

Disclaimer

The details contained in this article work for me under all circumstances I've encountered so far. However, I do not claim that they are complete, failsafe or perfect, and neither I, Harman Hay nor Foundations Revealed can be held responsible for any problems arising from your use of them or from any omissions or errors. You remain responsible for the documents you provide to your clients and for the service you provide to those clients; this article is meant as a guide only.

The information contained here is, to the best of my knowledge, within UK law and written in accordance with UK Trading Standards. Although much of what I'm saying is sensible everywhere, the details may be different where you live. Do get in touch with your local small business association. They're there for you and usually give free advice.

If you run your own business as a bespoke corsetmaker, you'll know how fragile a process this business involves. People are not used to buying a product they can't yet see for a price that isn't fixed, and they tend to be nervous about it. Will they be ripped off? Will the result be what they wanted, and what if it isn't?

From your side of the equation, there are worries too. How do I know that this person will only make reasonable requests? How do I know they'll pay? How do I know that they won't ruin and try to return what I've made them?

The answer to all of these concerns is to have a solid process in place that ensures open and complete communication, a paper trail, and an assurance that you both know where you are and what to expect at all times. In this article I'm going to show you what I've learnt to do after fourteen years in this business, and what I've learnt from the UK Trading Standards officers I've spoken to. At the bottom of the page, you can download and look at all of the documents I use with my clients.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Trading Standards, the Office of Fair Trading or other relevant authorities in your part of the world, the ones whom your customer will go running to if they think something is wrong, are your best friends. The UK Trading Standards agency absolutely love it if you call them and ask them about fair contracts and conditions of sale; visit them and let them teach you how to do business well before something goes wrong. You'd be surprised how much you can learn. You are not at all expected to know how to do business wisely by instinct alone, and of course it doesn't hurt to have someone on your side who knows you in the event of a problem.

So go, find the equivalent association where you are, collect leaflets, talk to advisors. They'll love you for it and you'll feel supported and encouraged.

Explaining the process - the initial letter

When a new client comes to you, he or she is probably arriving with absolutely no experience of having a corset (or anything else) custom made. Keep this in mind.

Even if custom work is old news to them they'll need to know, or be reminded of, how you do business.

You will need to explain what to expect. I do this not only by chatting but with a friendly letter that I give out at our first meeting. It explains things like mock-ups, fittings, deposits, and even offers advice on how to decide what it is they want me to make. This is a fairly general, low-key document but the written version ensures, in the event of a dispute, that they were definitely told all they need to know.

Customers love to receive such a letter. They love having a recap of all the details to read when they arrive home having forgotten most of what you've said; they love knowing where they stand; they love that you are thoughtful and professional enough to take the trouble to explain in writing.

Learn from my experience

I learnt to include a letter explaining the custom process very early in my career, when I made a corsetted velvet gown for a bride.

All was going well until the very last fitting. Something seemed to be wrong; the bride left very quietly, without explaining, and I heard nothing more until her fiancé called me in a rage later that night. He wanted an immediate and complete refund. "This dress has just gone from bad to worse, hasn't it!"

Huh?

It emerged that from the very beginning, the bride had believed that every time I put a pin in the dress, it meant that something was wrong. Seeing me pinning the dress at every fitting, she'd grown more and more worried, but had said nothing until this final explosion, two weeks before the wedding.

At this late stage, no amount of protest or explanation would convince them that fittings are more than just an opportunity for the bride to see how it's going and twirl in her half-finished gown. They needed to have known this at the beginning. In the end, frightened and with little experience, I saw no choice but to give them the refund they vehemently demanded and be left with a perfectly serviceable almost-finished wedding dress. Years later I sold it on Ebay for a much lower price than I'd charged them.

Terms and Conditions

Along with the letter I include my Terms and Conditions, which is a firmer re-statement of all the important points in the letter in a numbered list. Literally, it states the terms and conditions under which I offer my services.

It summarises the stages involved in the making of the corset and emphasises things like the deposit being required before work can begin, and the full amount being due before I can deliver the finished corset.

Contract

This is by far the most important piece of paper in your arsenal. To quote the UK Trading Standards officer I worked with, the contract gives everyone concerned the who, what, when, where, why. All of the most important information is written here so that no-one's in any doubt; a copy is made for both of you, and you both sign and date both copies.

What should your contract include?

1. Your company name, address, telephone number and website: in the UK, if you're a sole trader using a name other than your own you'll need to state your own name too: "Amanda Beckett trading as Laced Up" - check local laws in your area of the world.

2. The title "CONTRACT", just so that everyone's clear!

3. The client's name, address, phone number(s), email - don't forget to check their ID as a formality, and have a tickbox to show this. In the UK, you have to ensure they're over 18 years of age to be able to form a contract with them.

4. Brief details of what you intend to make, ie. a corset designed by you in conjunction with the client's input and instructions as to style, colour etc. I include the words "according to the attached specification" (see below) so that I can include every tiny detail in an accompanying document.

5. The deadline, if any. If there's no deadline, make sure you state "Open deadline" - it's amazing how often clients with an open deadline change their minds later on when a suitable event comes up. "Oh, by the way, could you possibly have it done by next Thursday? There's this party, see..." If you have a contract stating that the deadline is open, you only need remind them of it.

6. A statement indicating that the client will be expected to sign for receipt of the finished outfit (more on that later.)

7. How much the outfit will cost, when the money is to be paid, and how much is refundable in the event of a cancellation.

Include a statement indicating what is not included, eg. travelling to fittings, alterations after we've begun, changes to the deadline and so on. In fact, this bit can be made to cover a charge for any sudden change - like that party, for example. "Yes, madam, of course I can do it by next Thursday, but I'll need to move other work around to accommodate it, which will incur an extra charge of $X, as stated in the contract, payable in advance."

8. A reference to the fact that this is a legally binding contract that you're entering into, and a confirmation that the client has read the terms and conditions.

9. Room for signatures and dates from both of you.

Don't be intimidated by having to produce a contract and hold them to it. A good client will love that you've got it all written down - it means that you're held to it as well as them. They'll be reassured by your professionalism. They'll know that you understand that you can't go changing things or backing out either. It's your written promise to each other that you'll do right by each other.

Specification

I find that it helps to keep the contract separate from the detailed specifics of the corset. This document is where you draw a sketch and specify all the details of what you'll be making. I attach a copy of the specification to each copy of the contract - the client's and mine - and then there can be no misunderstandings or lapses of memory. "But Cathy, you said there'd be a huge red bow on the back!"

"Was that on the specification, madam?"

Since corsetry involves so many little details, my specifications include a checklist of details. Having the ability to simply fill in a list - style, fashion fabric, lining fabric, type of boning, amount of boning, colour of busk, colour of eyelets, type of lacing, etc etc - ensures I have all the essential details decided upon, and any extras or differences can always be included for customers wanting something unusual.

Acknowledgement

The acknowledgement form is a final receipt that confirms completion of the contract to everyone's satisfaction. It's a deceptively short and simple document, but it stops a number of common horror stories before they can begin.

If the client signs this brief one sentence statement at the point of sale (ie the moment s/he makes the final payment and receives the finished corset), confirming that the outfit has been received, it fits, it's suitable for its purpose and it's undamaged, then the message is clear that the contract is complete. Unless the outfit is faulty in any mechanical way, the client will not have any room for changing her mind or trying to return it due to any misguided buyer's remorse six weeks later (or after that party next Thursday).

(Of course, you'll also have taken photos of your pride and joy before handing it over, and these can help too if you ever need to confirm that no, that stain wasn't there when she bought it.)

It's advisable to check what the law states in your part of the world about returns. In the UK a bespoke item is always returnable, like any other, if it is found to be faulty or unfit for its purpose; using an acknowledgement form doesn't change this. Just to be sure, I make sure this is covered (at least indirectly) in my terms and conditions in the last paragraph, where I invite the customer to call the Office of Fair Trading if they're unsure - I even give them the telephone number.

Fibre content and cleaning instructions

In the UK I am required to provide fibre composition details - what the fabrics are made of (the fabric/component supplier will be able to tell you this). You may also need to include washing or cleaning instructions where you are, although it's a good idea to include them anyway.

You'll have seen these details on the label of every item of high street clothing you buy. Luckily, in the UK and possibly also where you are, these details needn't be on a fabric label attached to the corset if it's a one-off bespoke piece; it's enough to provide a separate paper document. I put all the information on the final receipt.

In conclusion

In conclusion, I cannot recommend enough that you use these documents every time you make something for someone else - even if you're not running a business, even if the client is a friend or family member (in fact, use these documents especially if they're family or a friend.*) Not only will they deter time-wasters and those who would otherwise try to take advantage of you, but they will give off the air of professionalism that will keep good customers coming back time and time again. In a business in which the client can't see the product before they've paid, that peace of mind is priceless.

* I've even been known to fill in a contract and specification when I'm making something for myself, just to ensure that I know what I'm making, I treat myself as well as my clients and I don't shirk the responsibility to finish my corset for the date I wanted it.