I've just started doing some custom work again and have no interest in signing up to some kind of Union or standard operating procedure. I think customs are a private contract between the two parties concerned.

My method is pretty simple. You email me saying roughly what you want or if you're not sure asking me to send you my terms. Then assuming I'm happy with your idea (if you've sent one) I send you a document saying how much it costs, where the money goes and what you'll get in return (if you've only requested my terms to start with then you get the same thing)

We only go on to the next stage if we are both happy to do so. Then we discuss your idea/request in more detail and how to realise it. If I need to order costumes for example you pay just before I order them. Then once were ready to book/pay for other things you pay me for those. I don't actually buy or book anything until I have your money. Then I do the shoot and get the finished project to you by whatever means and format we agreed. Throughout the whole process I'll give you updates as we get things done, send sample pictures of me in costume etc if possible because as well as reassuring clients that I'm actually doing what they ask it's also fun for me and them to build up the anticipation ahead of the big day!

What actually happens though is people pay more than I ask for at the various stages, sometimes in full quite early on.

That's fine though because I have a folder on my PC for each client (not personal info like names and addresses though - discretion and trust are THE most important things for every client in custom work) where I keep a spreadsheet for the budget of each custom so I can keep track of who has paid what and when (useful when you're running more than one custom at a time).

I've never not completed or delivered a custom once it's been agreed and even if that did happen I'd be able to refund because I have accurate records of what clients have paid. I've never failed to deliver on a custom yet though and this is quite simply because I don't take on projects that I either don't want to or know I can't do.

The worst thing that has ever happened was when I cancelled a provisional booking I'd made with a client because I had a firmer offer for the same studio time slot made to me while I was wanting for the first client to respond. When we subsequently talked about it he understandably felt let down and was a little frosty but no money had changed hands (if it had I would never have entertained the other offer) and we had a very open and frank talk about it. As such we are still on good terms.

My terms and costs are very clearly set out and if you think it's too expensive, don't like my arrangements re payment or are worried about my credentials (in other words I might rip you off) then you have a the right to take your trade to someone else who's terms you like more and that fine. As such I don't feel the need to participate in any kind of UMD rating system or "Guild of custom producers".

The clients are factor in this too. In my experience they are not stupid and wouldn't part with their money if they thought the arrangerment was dodgy. I have got to know a few clients quite well over the years and can't see them being interested in using a rating system. However that maybe because I've never messed them about.

My final advice to anyone commissioning custom work would be follow your instincts based on the service you get from the models first response onwards. If you think it's got grief written on it don't get involved. In any case if you do go ahead you should do it knowing that you may have to take legal action to recover your money if it goes wrong (as is the case in many business transactions we all do all the time) or if you dont want to do that may have to accept the loss. This maybe harsh but ultimately no one has to get involved in these contracts (which is what in law they are) if they don't like the terms or risk factors.

Sorry to get to this thread late but as a model/producer I would LOVE to see a verification system in place. For one I do plan on retiring when I am too old to do this shit anymore and I don't want people using my images after I am gone and ripping people off by pretending to be me. There are already fake dating profiles using my images because I worked with some less than honest site owners who pretend to be me to get traffic to their bondage site. It's sad but the reality is people do these things and as a model you lose control over your image once there are thousands of pics of you online.