Pricing in Dollars or Naira? Quoting Diaspora Clients

Quote diaspora clients in the currency they will pay in, usually dollars or pounds, when your main costs also move with the exchange rate. Quote in naira when your costs are in naira and the client agrees to pay at a rate fixed on the day. Whichever you pick, write the currency and the rate rule on every quote.

This guide is for tailors and designers who sew for clients abroad. If you also use the ZeDaq tailor tools for orders and invoices, the same rules apply there. It does not give financial advice, and exchange rates are yours to check on the day.

Why is quoting diaspora clients a currency problem?

Your client earns in one currency and you spend in another. Between the quote and the final payment, the exchange rate can move, and one of you carries that change.

If you quote in naira and the client pays in dollars, they may pay more or less than they expected. If you quote in dollars and your fabric costs rise in naira, the dollar price may be too low or too high. Someone always holds the risk, so decide who it is before work begins.

When does pricing in dollars make sense?

Dollar pricing works well when:

• Your fabric, trims or shipping are linked to the dollar, for example imported lace.
• The client lives in a dollar country and wants a clear total.
• You send payment to a dollar account and want to avoid repeated conversion.

The same logic applies to pounds for UK clients. Quote in the currency your client thinks in.

When does pricing in naira make sense?

Naira pricing works when most of your costs are local, such as local fabric, rent and helpers. It also suits clients who are used to your usual prices and plan to pay through a naira route.

The risk is that you leave the conversion to the client. They may feel the price moves from week to week, which can cause arguments about deposits and balances.

How do you compare the two options?

Question	Quote in dollars	Quote in naira
Who carries exchange rate risk?	You, until you convert	The client, until they pay
Is the total clear to the client?	Yes	Only after conversion
Fits imported-fabric costs?	Usually	Needs rate updates
Fits local-cost work?	Needs a review of your price	Usually

How do you protect yourself from exchange rate changes?

Use a few simple rules in every quote:

1. Name the currency. Write "USD" or "NGN" next to every amount.
2. Set a validity period. A quote is valid for a short time you choose, then must be refreshed.
3. Take a deposit up front. Use it to buy fabric so your largest cost is covered early.
4. Fix the rate or the price. Either lock the price in the client's currency, or state the rate used on the day of each payment.
5. Add a review clause for big delays. If the client delays the final payment for a long time, say you may re-quote.

None of this needs complicated software. It needs the same wording every time. Our guide to managing diaspora clients ordering from abroad covers the order process around the quote.

How should the quote and invoice show the currency?

Show the total in the currency you agreed, plus the deposit and balance in that same currency. If you also show a naira equivalent, label it as an estimate and write the date of the rate.

ZeDaq.ai supports invoicing in multiple currencies, including NGN, GBP and USD, so you can issue an invoice in the client's currency. The article on multi-currency invoicing for tailors shows how to lay one out.

What does a worked quote look like?

Here is a simple wording you can adapt. It is an example, not a legal template.

Agent dress, USD, total agreed in US dollars. Deposit due now to start work. Balance due before shipping. This quote is valid for the period shown. If payment is late, we may re-quote.

Notice what it does. It names the currency once, says when each payment is due, and says what happens if the client pays late. A client who reads this knows where they stand, and so do you.

For a long order, such as a wedding set for a whole family, split the quote by outfit. Each person has a line, and the client sees the cost of every piece. It also helps if one outfit changes later.

Is a spreadsheet enough to track this?

A spreadsheet can hold the numbers, but it won't remind you of a deadline or keep deposits and balances in the right currency. Many tailors outgrow it once they have clients in more than one country. For a fair comparison, see ZeDaq.ai versus Excel for tailors.

FAQs

Should I tell a diaspora client the naira rate?

Only if you want to. If you quote in dollars, the dollar total is what matters, and a naira figure is an optional estimate.

Can I change the price after I send a quote?

Only if your quote says it expires or can be reviewed. Without that wording, changing the price may upset the client, so state the terms upfront.

What if my client pays in a different currency than I quoted?

Ask them to pay the amount you quoted in the quoted currency. If their payment route converts it, they carry the conversion cost, so say that in your terms.

Do I need to take a deposit?

It is strongly recommended for any made-to-measure order, and more so across borders. It covers materials and shows the client is committed.