Olivia,
No, this does not provide a solution whatsoever. As an e-commerce platform, I am actually quite shocked that this is not a standard feature. Let me explain, my scenario:
I have been custom printing products for customers since 1992. Pre-E-Mail. Pre-Internet. Pre-E-commerce. I have had many discussions with my business attorneys as well as attorneys versed in my particular industry regarding this precise issue over these 31 years. (Note I am not an attorney)
Rule #1: Get customer approval before proceeding with a custom job. NON-VERBAL. NON ARBITRARY. i.e. 100% PROOF of customer approval, with backup in as many forms as possible. (Create a paper trail)
One product line that I manufacture are custom tile murals. These range from $100 to tens of thousand dollars. Producing the murals is VERY labor intensive and costly. All (100%) require custom artwork. I create the artwork (or a few versions) and send to the client at no cost, then revise the artwork until approved. (Step one in the 'paper trail' complete) .
If I was to create the mural and ship at this point, a client could say "That is not what I ordered" leading to potential litigation. If many artwork mockups/revisions were required, a Judge may rule in favor of the client as they may be 'confused' after many artwork revisions, although each mockup image had a unique file name. If I was to lose such a case on a large order, I could stand to lose several thousands of dollars. Most of my clients that order very large murals have very large attorney companies on retainer. I do not, nor should I.
Before the days of e-commerce, I created an digital order form that included a detailed description, a copy of the approved artwork(print and digital) that was signed/approved by the client. This was sufficient to protect me from this issue.
The murals that I create can involve maps that I create based on customer criteria. The final map region needs to be approved. I add location icons (Stars, circles, red, blue, etc) at the location of the customer’s request. This must be 100% accurate and approved by the client. I add a badge with GPS coordinates of the client's position if requested. This has to be 100% accurate and approved by the client.
The client has a choice of MANY tile sizes from 4.25" x4.25" to 12" x 12" and beyond. These can be a matte finish, semi gloss, gloss, or kiln fired for outdoor use. All of these must be approved by the client.
Paypal allows me to create an order in minutes, with artwork, and a description, and I have never had an issue with litigation. I do not get 'protest payment' since everything is in the order. (and my clients are 100% satisfied, I have yet to issue a refund or enter a payment dispute-due to my due diligence in customer care, communication, and customer approval paper trail.)
Yes, I could 'create a product' on Shopify with the approved art and details. No, for many reasons.
- My client and I have likely been in MANY e-mail conversations. I want this to be as easy as possible for my client. No more typing for my client.
- I have all of their info, and when I create an order can do the work for them (order entry) and send an invoice. If I ask them to go to checkout to an online product, they may back out. ( They could be asking 'my word, WHAT does it take to place an order with this company"') It has happened. If I send an invoice they can just pay securely with their cc. I have added their shipping addresses etc so they do not have to. This may seem small but it's huge. I'm all about customer service and making this process as easy as possible.
- Google and the world have no reason to see this product. NO need to add an internet webpage for a one-time product.
- Many of my clients are building new homes or renovating. They have MANY decisions to make. I try to make this process as simple as possible. Also the timing of the delivery of the product in time for the installation to their home is critical. If the product is incorrect, it can affect the process of a new home build or renovation. I do everything to alleviate that worry.
I could use your help.
Please add:
1. Artwork attachment. I need one. Other users may need more to show various views of their product.
- A complete description form without character limit.
From a completely business point of view, these seem like archaic requests from an e-commerce platform. It really should not be that difficult to implement. Please do so.
Once these steps are complete, I would have a seamless Shopify experience without the (COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY) Paypal intrusion to the order flow.
I do not want to create a product for the client to purchase. I want to create an custom order with artwork and detailed description, that my customer then can pay for.
Pretty simple.
Olivia,
No, this does not provide a solution whatsoever. As an e-commerce platform, I am actually quite shocked that this is not a standard feature. Let me explain, my scenario:
I have been custom printing products for customers since 1992. Pre-E-Mail. Pre-Internet. Pre-E-commerce. I have had many discussions with my business attorneys as well as attorneys versed in my particular industry regarding this precise issue over these 31 years. (Note I am not an attorney)
Rule #1: Get customer approval before proceeding with a custom job. NON-VERBAL. NON ARBITRARY. i.e. 100% PROOF of customer approval, with backup in as many forms as possible. (Create a paper trail)
One product line that I manufacture are custom tile murals. These range from $100 to tens of thousand dollars. Producing the murals is VERY labor intensive and costly. All (100%) require custom artwork. I create the artwork (or a few versions) and send to the client at no cost, then revise the artwork until approved. (Step one in the 'paper trail' complete) .
If I was to create the mural and ship at this point, a client could say "That is not what I ordered" leading to potential litigation. If many artwork mockups/revisions were required, a Judge may rule in favor of the client as they may be 'confused' after many artwork revisions, although each mockup image had a unique file name. If I was to lose such a case on a large order, I could stand to lose several thousands of dollars. Most of my clients that order very large murals have very large attorney companies on retainer. I do not, nor should I.
Before the days of e-commerce, I created an digital order form that included a detailed description, a copy of the approved artwork(print and digital) that was signed/approved by the client. This was sufficient to protect me from this issue.
The murals that I create can involve maps that I create based on customer criteria. The final map region needs to be approved. I add location icons (Stars, circles, red, blue, etc) at the location of the customer’s request. This must be 100% accurate and approved by the client. I add a badge with GPS coordinates of the client's position if requested. This has to be 100% accurate and approved by the client.
The client has a choice of MANY tile sizes from 4.25" x4.25" to 12" x 12" and beyond. These can be a matte finish, semi gloss, gloss, or kiln fired for outdoor use. All of these must be approved by the client.
Paypal allows me to create an order in minutes, with artwork, and a description, and I have never had an issue with litigation. I do not get 'protest payment' since everything is in the order. (and my clients are 100% satisfied, I have yet to issue a refund or enter a payment dispute-due to my due diligence in customer care, communication, and customer approval paper trail.)
Yes, I could 'create a product' on Shopify with the approved art and details. No, for many reasons.
- My client and I have likely been in MANY e-mail conversations. I want this to be as easy as possible for my client. No more typing for my client.
- I have all of their info, and when I create an order can do the work for them (order entry) and send an invoice. If I ask them to go to checkout to an online product, they may back out. ( They could be asking 'my word, WHAT does it take to place an order with this company"') It has happened. If I send an invoice they can just pay securely with their cc. I have added their shipping addresses etc so they do not have to. This may seem small but it's huge. I'm all about customer service and making this process as easy as possible.
- Google and the world have no reason to see this product. NO need to add an internet webpage for a one-time product.
- Many of my clients are building new homes or renovating. They have MANY decisions to make. I try to make this process as simple as possible. Also the timing of the delivery of the product in time for the installation to their home is critical. If the product is incorrect, it can affect the process of a new home build or renovation. I do everything to alleviate that worry.
I could use your help.
Please add:
1. Artwork attachment. I need one. Other users may need more to show various views of their product.
- A complete description form without character limit.
From a completely business point of view, these seem like archaic requests from an e-commerce platform. It really should not be that difficult to implement. Please do so.
Once these steps are complete, I would have a seamless Shopify experience without the (COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY) Paypal intrusion to the order flow.
I do not want to create a product for the client to purchase. I want to create an custom order with artwork and detailed description, that my customer then can pay for.
Pretty simple.
