Con Commissions

[blakcat71388.livejournal.com]

I don;'t think I will ever commission from a convention again, I have been ripped off too many times:

2006 Nekocon - Didn't pay, thankfully, but never heard word about a watercolor commission
2006 Otakon - Two commissions, one to Max Blackrabbit (who I have not heard from in quite a while) and another from "Asashi Kaigami" (Who's last reply to my e-mails came in December)
2005 Otakon - Completely forgot about this one, it was so long ago. "Enki Kaikan/Katree Irmen" hasn't replied since 2005.

I just.. Don't get it. I've been contacting these artists and they seem to have fallen off the face of the earth. I'd love to be repaid what I gave them because I'm broke now, but I.. I don't know where they went!

If anyone has heard of these artists being alive and active, please send them my way because I want either my artwork or my money. Plenty of time has elapsed for them to complete it.

Comments

[rakshepsaar.livejournal.com]

I've actually heard several complaints about Max Blackrabbit going MIA with unfinished commissions. One would think that an artist with such a wide reputation in the fandom would be a little more reliable, if only to save his reputation. O_o

[blakcat71388.livejournal.com]

I had written about him.. A little while ago on here. And he replied to me then and said that he'd get my art to me. But... Still nothing. >

[kimpers.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend bought a commission from him one year, and never heard from him at all, and he never responded to emails. Was a paid commission too, so he bolted with the money.

[filthy-animal.livejournal.com]

He's on FurAffinity if you're looking for him, I commented below with his FA link:

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/maxblackrabbit/

Still posting art regularly, as well as asking for money.

[duraji-synth.livejournal.com]

It's people who do that that power my response to artists who wish for all the money in advance before they even start anything.

Money is a great motivator. They should never touch any of the money until they've completed their side of the deal.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Artists get screwed over by would-be customers just the same as customers get screwed over by artists, a 50% payment in advance is perfectly acceptable.

[duraji-synth.livejournal.com]

Agreed. That's why I said that giving ALL the payment is not a great idea. The trouble though, of course, is that there's an equal number of unreliable commissioners as there are an unreliable number of commissionees... it's not an easy thing to work out, certainly not as easy as it should be.

[kimpers.livejournal.com]

I've commissioned two people from Otakon - the only commissions I've ever bought - and both artists dropped off the face of the earth without so much as a sketch. One was from 2004, the other from 2005, and I've given up on both.

So I feel your pain. I don't even want to commission anyone again at all after getting burned the two times I've tried.

[filthy-animal.livejournal.com]

Max Blackrabbit? I'm watching them on FurAffinity, they're over here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/maxblackrabbit/

Still posting art regularly, as well as asking for money.

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately that is the risk you run with commissions. It's possible to lessen the chances of being ripped off but there's always that one time.

I'm slow at commissions too

[arshes.livejournal.com]

But I make sure I never take money I can't refund.

However, you might want to see this: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/107044/

Re: I'm slow at commissions too

[blakcat71388.livejournal.com]

But I think a year is a liiiiittle too long. Especially considering I paid a good amount of money. >

Re: I'm slow at commissions too

[arshes.livejournal.com]

Oh I can understand that and if the person wants their money back I give it to them. I can also understand being upset when waiting this long, I think at least an offering of a refund is in order.

To tell me someone is worth the wait, umm no. It's a piece of entertainment at most, if he can't fulfill the obligation, then give a refund. Don't ever bite off more than you can chew because it does get people upset with you.

Well...

[sorien.livejournal.com]

Max WILL get it done. He's just not quick. Get ahold of him as those above have mentioned- His work is worth it. :)

[unclekage.livejournal.com]

I concur. Max is a good fellow. He's just mad busy and doesn't read his email as often as he should.

[maxblackrabbit.livejournal.com]

Awww, I understand your position but please don't give up yet. For my part I apologize, I get so buried in my job, friends, travel and the whole art thing that I push too many things to the back burner, without constant reminders, it takes me forever to get back to people sometimes. I'll try to complete sometime soon.

(see, this is why I'm reluctant to take any new commissions at this time. :)

Well I'll be honest

[arshes.livejournal.com]

Just taking it from a position of a person understanding business practices. You do need to organize yourself a bit better.

I'm reading this guy's post. According to him, he went to a con you attended, and I kinda doubt you went to the con to lolligag so much to make money on the side.

Furthermore, if I was an observer and noticing gift art was going out faster than a commission I'd be more upset.

It's understandable if you have a life and other obligations, but people paying money, there is no excuse for them not to take priority in the list of art things to do. If you can't fulfill the obligation once again, give them a refund.

This is not about you are a bad person, but rather just an even minded perspective of treating people who paid you up front. Those that haven't well they don't take priority of course.

Re: Well I'll be honest

[maxblackrabbit.livejournal.com]

This is also why I'm taking less and less work home with me from conventions (unless it's someone I know personally) I need a secretary.:)

Re: Well I'll be honest

[arshes.livejournal.com]

Well, if you need any help with getting things organized, drop me a note on FA. I am usually good at organizing stuff for people XD