How would you set this up ?

[Trees2wood]

Yea changing the prices dont sound good, dont want it to be confusing. I had thought about the coupon way but with no way to force its use somebody would go ahead and pay ,maybe even thinking that would help them get it quicker. people dont always read the info on the page anyway.
What about this , I could have a category of knives for sale and one for knives that have been sold. I could set it up so they see a sold out button , and could change the product info to say if you want one like this you can email me. hummm

[devlyn]

I sell "made to order" items too. Why don't you want people to pay up front? I have a policy that I get paid up front for everything. I've been left holding the bag too many times when people "change their mind".

[Trees2wood]

Not really worried about getting stuck with it , I could just put in the for sale category and would have store stock.
Why I wont take deposits, I like keeping my work as stress free as possible. If I want to fish for the next 10 days I don't have to ask permission from anybody and if my customers have not paid me they shouldn't have a reason to be mad. If that does make them mad it is a lot easier to part ways if we owe each other nothing.