Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 149 “The Artisan Chronicles”

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Tell us about an experience you have had with an artisan.

I once needed the service of a carpenter to make a piece of furniture for me. We discussed what I wanted and agreed on a price and the date it would be ready. I paid part of the money upfront, expecting the work to be done properly.

Unfortunately, the work took longer than expected, (1 week and 5 days) and when it was finally delivered, some parts were not well finished. I had to call the carpenter back to correct some of the mistakes. Although the final result was better after the corrections, I was not completely satisfied because I expected better work from the beginning.

What do you think is the biggest problem between artisans and their customers?

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For me, poor communication is one of the biggest problems. Sometimes the customer explains what they want, but the artisan does something different. In some cases, the artisan may also change the price or delay the work without properly informing the customer.

Customers also have their own faults when they don't clearly explain what they want or keep changing their minds. Good communication from both sides can prevent many misunderstandings.

Should a customer pay an artisan the full amount before the work is completed?

I don't think a customer should normally pay the full amount before the work is completed, especially when it is a big job. I believe it is better to agree on a payment plan. The customer can pay a reasonable amount upfront so the artisan can buy materials and start the work.

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The remaining balance can be paid when the work is completed and the customer is satisfied with the result. This protects both the artisan and the customer.

What can artisans and customers do differently to make their working relationship better?

Both sides need to be more honest and communicate properly. Before starting a job, they should agree clearly on the price, materials, quality of work, deadline, and payment arrangement. The customer should explain exactly what they want and avoid changing the instructions later. The artisan should also be honest about what they can deliver and should inform the customer if there is any problem or delay, especially when the prices of materials changes.

Most importantly, both parties should respect each other, because when there is good communication, honesty, and understanding, there will be less arguments and a great job!