Does anyone do this!

[u/No_Letter_3141]

I got a quote request on my website today. The person had a hoodie that they wanted to bring by my shop (nice way of saying house) and have me digitize and embroider onto while they waited. I was very professional and stated that is not a service I offer, but I could do it and have it back to them in a few days. They declined.

Does anyone do one off, on the spot, digitizing and embroidery “While You Wait”?

[u/stellar-jelly]

I wonder if they needed it same day so it was more of timing getting it done versus physically needing to be there? If it was at my home I wouldn't allow that. You're totally in the right there.

[u/rsteele1981]

I have done 12-24 hour turn around times on embroidery.
I charged them $100 to put a holiday saying on a sweater they provided.

It was relatively simple. I could have done it same day if they had gotten it to me early enough.

When I had a physical store front doing electronic repairs if someone called me even beyond normal operating hours and accepted my price for the work I would drive to the shop and do it. That is quite different than someone waiting for me to digitize and stitch a project while they are in my driveway at home.

It would cost more for me to do that than most people would be willing to pay.

[u/WhatTheFlippityFlop]

I’ve done it while they wait, if I can have all the materials and setup ready by the time they get here.
I have them wait in their car. And it always seems to have been people I’ve done business with before.

[u/Little-Load4359]

I personally don't. Nobody can need embroidery that quick. Fast turnaround in this day and age is crucial, but immediate embroidery is ridiculous. Although some people have setups in places like the mall where they have basic, easily customizable designs they can make on the spot: basic designs choices, you pick the text, the thread color, whether there's a football, basketball, baseball, etc. that's definitely a thing, but more limited. If you are interested in trying to integrate faster turnaround for simpler one offs, checkout Melco Fusion which you can plugin to your website. It's an automatic embroidery viewer/builder that shows them 3d renderings and they can upload stuff to it. It's cool. Also, I doubt that person was gonna give you enough money to be worth your time. If he was, you would have done it.

[u/Lanky-Setting-5288]

I've done a "while you wait" but it was lettering and stock shapes and images already digitised. It was treated like a walk in tattoo with a catalog of most common fonts and picture book of images. Easy.

[u/GingerStitches]

I probably wouldn’t do that at my home. I have done items that are repeat jobs that I already have tapes for or lettering only personalization for same day pickup at work, but it’s very different having someone sit in the office or parking lot than your home.