How the Job Board works for Fabbers: Bid on jobs

The Job Board is where Makers can post jobs to get (almost) anything made. Fabbers then bid on the opportunity to turn that idea into a real item.

It's your opportunity to bid on requests to make items and win the sale.

This guide will walk through the Fabber's side of a Job Board transaction, from making a bid all the way through to asking for a rating and review about the Fabber.

For a more information about the Job Board, please see:
How the Job Board works: Overview
How the Job Board works for Makers: Post a job

Step 1: Bidding on a job

Qualified Fabbers can visit the Job Board to view job posts on which they can place bids to win the sale. The Maker will select Fabber bids to be made and shipped to them. If you're not currently a qualified Fabber and would like to make custom items for people, check out how to join the 100kgarages community here.

To place a bid, you will fill out the 'Submit a bid' form and click to send it to the Maker. Let's go over each bit of the bid submission form in detail:

 

Describe exactly what you will make:	Describe in detail what you will make, based on the Maker's job post and your own skills and capabilities. This is the text you will use to describe exactly what you are selling and what the Maker is buying if your bid is accepted and turned into a binding agreement, so be sure to include all the relevant details (like its purpose, materials, colors, size/measurements and any other important info. You can also include web links to relevant images, sketches or videos).
How much will it cost to design and make (per unit)?	Provide your price for creating each individual item. Your offer may be different than the Maker's 'ideal price' in the request if you think it will cost more or less to make the item. All transactions are in United States Dollars (US$).
Estimated shipping cost:	This is what you anticipate it will cost to ship the item, based on the Maker's location and the description of the item.
When can you finish the item?	Your delivery deadline may be different than the Maker's deadline if you think it will take more or less time to create the item. Be honest, but keep in mind that the Maker might need the item for an event or by a certain date for a gift.
Terms of payment:	Let the Maker know how you will accept payment. You should also note if you require full payment up front, after the item is complete, or in installments.
How would you ship the item?	Explain your shipping method and packaging here.

Because your bid will be emailed to the Maker directly, your bid will only be seen by the Maker. You can edit the bid as many times as you would like when emailing the Maker.

Multiple Fabbers can bid on the same job request. The Maker can accept, decline or request changes to your bid. They'll email you if changes are desired, and you two can work out the details together. Be sure you edit your bid to reflect those changes before the Maker accepts it.

Step 2: Confirm the bid

Congratulations, the Maker has accepted your bid by replying to your email with a final decision!

Sometimes things change in the time between when you submitted a bid and the Maker accepting it. For this reason, once a bid is accepted by the Maker, you must confirm that you are still available to make the item. Once you confirm that you'll make the item by reply email, the request/bid becomes a binding agreement and both you and the Maker agree to follow through with the transaction.

Step 3: Accept payment

Once the Fabber has confirmed the agreement on email, you need to collect payment from the Maker in a mutually agreed way. You should then receive payment from the Maker according to the terms of the bid outlined in the email. You might agree to accept upfront payment or part payment now and final payment just before you ship it.

Step 4: Make the item and deliver it

Now that the transaction has been completed, its time to start working on the item. When it's time to ship, just collect any final payment that may be due from Step 3 above, then deliver to your excited customer.

Step 5: Asking for a rating and review from your customer, the Maker

Once you have received confirmation that the Maker has received their item, you will want to help build your status by asking the Maker to post a rating and review about you on your profile page here.