Skuff’s Tips For Selecting The Right Fursuit
I was a consumer long before I started making fursuits. Back then there weren’t as many styles or studios to choose from. But now, it seems there is a new studio every week offering something new. Different styles, different prices, different time frames, different materials… Here are a few questions you may want to ask and find out before placing a commission with anyone.
Are they a licensed studio? A legit company with have a state business license and possibly a business lawyer and accountant.
Is this their full time job? A company that works full time instead of part time or as a hobby usually tend to be more organized and professional. They rely solely on the business for their customers as their main source of income.
How long have they been doing this professionally or full time? Experience goes a long way.
How many suits do you make in a year or month? Does their workload seam too high or too low? Can you commission be pushed back with the slightest mishap? Do they allow extra time in between projects for the inconsistencies of running a business?
Have you looked through the gallery? Finding a maker with a consistent style might be important to you. Have they made something similar to what you want? How diverse is their portfolio? Have your seen their work in person? You can’t always see everything from a photo.
Have you talked to previous customers? Ask around! Find out what other customers have said. They’ve already been through the process. Were they quick to respond? Did they finish on time? Was it an enjoyable experience?
Do they warranty their work? What’s covered? Will they fix something that goes wrong?
How custom can you customize? How much of their work is from a pattern used for everyone? Will they let you tweak sizes and shapes? Can you pick out your own fur or colors?
The fursuit business seems to be run mainly by word of mouth. You should educate yourself as much as possible before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on anything. Never believe everything you hear as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It’s no secret how diverse the fandom is, and it’s no different when it comes to fursuit preference. While this market is highly driven by word of mouth, do your research also. Make sure you are comfortable with the product AND the business.