When the piece breaks...what next?

[lunesse]

So if someone has comissioned you, and you are deep in it and it breaks...what do you do? Timewise? I had two matching dishes to make, one went great, the other cracked up the middle last night, not even all the way through! I'm out of the glass so I need to go buy more...it's for a friend, so this isn't horrid, but I do want to know how to handle this professionally. Do you request a delay? Ask for an extension? Tell them they are getting an extension? Price break (even tho it's more glass now, but obviously not the buyer's issue). How do you fit this into your schedule if you have other things lined up with the clock ticking? Aigh!

[MikeAurelius]

Call the customer, tell them one of the pieces broke in process and it's going to take xxx longer. They should understand.

Just a thought - maybe next time, quote a longer delivery time and then you look like a champ when you deliver ahead of schedule!

[lunesse]

Call the customer, tell them one of the pieces broke in process and it's going to take xxx longer. They should understand.

Just a thought - maybe next time, quote a longer delivery time and then you look like a champ when you deliver ahead of schedule!

Yep, a very good idea. It's all a learning process, that's why I'm letting myself practice on my friends who request things!

I just have this first ever deadline with an art show at the beginning of Nov. I don't have the time to spare, I have to be away one whole weekend as it is already...grrrrr....... I don't run my kiln while I sleep/am not home or this would be easier to stuff back together...

[Cosmo]

Granted, some customers may be more hard to get along with, but I would think that most anyone who has someone make a piece (or pieces) custom for them would understand that things happen that are out of your control. I'm willing to bet they will understand if you just let them know.