Watch out for saber_fang_wolf

[ashgrove.livejournal.com]

For around a year now, I had been taking commissions from a former friend, saber_fang_wolf. Most of them were erotic in nature and he paid really well. However, his payments were always late. I didn't mind so much because he was the only paying customer I've ever had for art, and it didn't get really bad until I got to college.

I got to the end of the year where I was really pressed for money and he owed me $600 for a series of drawings. He promised he'd send me the money, but he'd send me the money in three sets of $200. I didn't get the first payment until sometime near the end of the year, then one more payment after that. I'd been waiting for the last payment and he'd give me excuses like, "The post office must have lost it again. I'm very willing to send the money again." (I've never ever seen such "post office problems.")

Finally, we get to about a month ago, when I started asking again for the $200. I asked him to send an Amazon gift certificate, since I've had friends send gift certificates and I knew how long it would take. He "finished" the gift certificate, then quickly signed off his MSN. I never got a confirmation email, nor have I gotten any contact from him otherwise. I'm not planning on fighting him for the last of the money, and I've certainly learned my lesson. I just want people to beware and not lose out on money like I did.

Comments

[pinkpuppybelly.livejournal.com]

It's always such a toss-up when you take friends on as clients :/ I've had both good and bad experiences with it; It sucks that your situation ended so badly!

[ashgrove.livejournal.com]

I'd previously had good experiences for friends wanting other things done, like websites or whatever. There were other things about him that hinted he lied to me constantly, but I didn't really start looking at them until he decided to screw me over money-wise.

[gothwings.livejournal.com]

$600! That's a lot of money not to ask for up front.

One must always be able to separate business and pleasure, thankfully the friends I've worked with have understood that, but perhaps only because I really drive the point home.

I'm interested in seeing your art, it must be impressive to charge such high amounts.

[ashgrove.livejournal.com]

It's not really all that impressive. And it was ten pieces, so only $60 per finished inked and colored piece. It's kind of embarrassing to admit that my drawings got that much.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Colbert love.

About pricing, you need to take in account the cost of the supplies you used and the amount of time you spent on them multiplied by at least minimum wage. If you're delivering a service and the customer has seen and agreed to the quality of service you deliver and is willing to pay you for it, you're not overcharging.

60 bucks is very fair for an inked and coloured piece.

[ashgrove.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the Colbert love.

And thank you for saying that. I know I should be thinking that, I just can't get over the usual insecurities. :)

[thaily.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel any better, even professional artists you look up to still have those feelings. It's just that the numbers they struggle with are higher.

[ashgrove.livejournal.com]

Thank you again.