At this stage timeframe is undetermined; the next stage, should I go ahead, is for them to produce drawings based on my sketches, and after approval of those drawings, for them to manufacture. I imagine it might take a month or two, if they are not terribly busy. About payment, when I bought a Brompton seatpost from them, it went through escrow - I received the post, OK'ed it, and then they got the money from the holder. So I guess that means upfront, yes, but only once the manufacture is completed, so again after a month or two from now.