Tailor Archive

The problem I am having is explaining to a customer exactly what I can make without being able to show it to them. I can't wear women's or Wookiee garments and do I really have to carry around samples of each and every piece? What do the rest of you do?

I know that this probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but I always ask people to come to my store. I have a large selection of fashions on display and it usually gives people a good idea of what they'd like to buy. I can't count the number of times that people have walked in and made impulse purchases of flight suits and grand ball gowns.

I still haven't gotten my store yet, but that was what I planned to do ---- set the clothes out on display. Representative examples of each style, anyway.

For now, though, I just try to verbally describe the clothes. Since I only have Casual I, it's not -that- hard... for example, if they want a jacket I ask if they want long sleeve or shortsleeve... then if they want open-front or close-front.. that narrows things down a bit (again, because of my limited abilities at this point)... so then I just try to verbally describe the differences between the remaining choices or ---- if I can wear it --- I put on an example and show them. I have a backpack full of clothes that I can swap into to demonstrate most fashions.

There are great websites out there, but I don't know how many people would alt-tab out of SWG to go look at them... I'd hate to sit there waiting for them to get back, too. And too often when I do something like that, SWG crashes on me anyway.

As Alciril said, a store is the best way. I try to put together outfits that are unique too....everyone knows what a bustier and long skirt look like. What about a noble's skirt with a suit shirt? Desert command jacket with lined shorts? People in game (like in real life...you retail types know what im talking about hehe) like to buy right off the mannequin

When I sat in cantinas and sold right out of the pack (which I assume you are doing) I made afew basics and then put them on. "This is the small bustier. This is the sports bustier." etc....So modelling them yourself would be a good way to show them what you are talking about.

I don't know if you are on Lowca, but if you are I am a female dancer for hire to model tailor clothing. I don't require payment, maybe just an outfit at the end of the day. If you are not on Lowca I bet you could hire a dancer to do this for you, we are a profession desperately in need to jobs and nice clothing. Finding a wookie may be a little harder. This will probably work well until you get your shop or if you want to take your show on the road, perhaps you could even stage a fashion show in the theater or a hotel and get a bunch of models and then take orders.

Min'Tora Ehi; Lowca

If you don't have a shop yet (like me) there is another alternative. However, ti requires some trust that you're dealing with a decent person.
Throw together some packs. Make 1 of everything you have and throw it in the packs. Give the packs to the customer (remembering how many items were in it) so they can try things on. It takes a little more time to do it this way, but I find it gets the best results for satisfaction.
Now if there were only some way to let them choose their own color...

I let people try stuff on, unless I get a sense of distrust from them. Most people try them on and then hand 'em back, or /tip me the cash for them. I've not had anyone run off with one yet.

Yeah, no one has run off with anything I give them to try on yet. In fact, when I try and throw in free slippers with a fancy dress, they always pay me more than I've asked for.

-KalTheo Klepto, Tatooine Tailor (Starsider)
(Fashion 4, Field Wear 3, Tailor 1.)

Yeah, I think people don't want to steal from good tailors. I have handed 3 different colored Grand Ballgowns, Luxurious Gowns, etc to people at one time, and never had one item lost.

As far as displaying items, that is the greatest thing since sliced bread for Tailors. My only problem is deciding what to display with my limited house space. One way to get around this is to make one of every item we can and place them on a vendor with insane prices. Call it your Display for Custom Order vendor or some such. That way, it's easier to take custom orders. This will only be viable until they fix the maint rate for Merchant Vendors though. :/

Best way I've found to display is to make complete outfits, then display similar pieces nearby(i.e - Fighter Flightsuit decked out, with Merchant Flightsuit alone nearby). Saves a little on house space if you don't make boots/gloves/shirts for everything you display.