The Armour Archive

What should be some guide lines to go by when ordering a custom helm from a well known armoury?
Payment set ups, time lines, finish dates, progress reports?
Just looking for some ideas. Thanks.

Are you asking what to expect, or how different armourers normally conduct business to model your own practices from.

For my part, I ask for a 50% deposit up front. This covers expenses of the project, (materials at any rate) and gives the buyer an insentive to make the final payment once it is done and gives the armoury a little carrot at the end of the stick to insure prompt completion.

time lines really depend on the amount of detail going into the piece, how much expertise and experience goes into the making of the piece, etc. Trying to keep orders no more than 6 months to a year long isn't uncommon. Regular progress reports is a good practice, but it does take away from production time, so it has to be balanced....I try to contact my clients at least twice a month, but realistically I am lucky if I get to it once a month or even every other month due to the length of the list of clients I need to stay in touch with.

Prompt answers to questions and complete honesty as to timelines and delays are a must. (even though I tend to be a little slow in response to questions during crunch times)

Thanks for your input. Yes, I am looking to order a custom helm and was looking for some ideas on how to aviod the loss of money with no product to show.
Thanks again.
sisu,
Jon