Commissioner is MIA:

[thecreativepen.livejournal.com]

Hi all, advice needed!

I do custom shoe art, and I was recently commissioned by a Tumblr follower for a pair. They sent the payment (as well as a very generous tip) promptly, and we collaborated via asks on what they wanted. Ever since I received the payment, however, I haven't been able to get in touch with the commissioner. I sent an email about 4 days ago with the WIP of the nearly finished shoes for feedback, and to also tell them about some other things I planned on adding on. They didn't respond to it. I've also sent two asks as well since sending the email {they've "liked" a few things on my page during this time, and seem active on the site), and also no response. I know Tumblr isn't the most reliable way to speak to a customer, and asks can get lost/not sent, but how should I go about this? I'm afraid of completing them without feedback, and don't want the commissioner thinking I took their money and ran. At this point, I've used the only two means of contact I have to get in touch with the individual. :( Help?


Edit [3/22]: Still no luck getting in touch with them. At this point, I'm feeling like I should give it another week, and then send back a partial refund (minus what I spent in supplies, and provide proof of receipts). Does that sound like a good plan? I would let the commissioner resend the money at a later date, if I was finally able to contact them.

Edit [3/27]: Decided to mail them as is this Friday. But the commissioner finally got back in touch with me today! Yay!

Comments

[michele fancy (from livejournal.com)]

If they're liking your stuff, why not make a post with the one of the WIPs and just say "Hey, to the commissioner of these shoes, check your email!" or something along those lines. You know they're paying attention to your posts, so it would most-likely catch their attention.

[dilario.livejournal.com]

I'm agreeing with this! Notes are notoriously untrustworthy since they get lost so damn easily (often something about using ellipses, last I heard?).

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

This! If they are checking your stuff, totally make a public post about it, and link your email for them to use.

[thecreativepen.livejournal.com]

Great idea! Last night I did reblog a post of theirs, and left a message saying I was trying to get in touch with them and to check their email.

I should dangle the beautifully almost finished product in their dashboard. That should hopefully get their attention!

[buttercupsaiyan.livejournal.com]

That is a very good idea, I think this is the correct thing to do in this situation.

[ladyelysium.livejournal.com]

Did they pay via PayPal? There should be an email address linked to the payment. Try that?

[thecreativepen.livejournal.com]

Yep, used that email to get in touch with them. I only have their tumblr blog and email as a means of contact.

[nxcritter.livejournal.com]

I'm also having a similar issue, back early feb they won an auction and never paid for so i never did the work seem simple but then the same user contacts me about other commissions they would like... so i give them the quote and even a discount cause they want 2 character's in one image so have them a few buck's off. then the say ok and then disappear after placing them on my list..

I gave them till the 25 till i reopen the slot's but is that enough time?

[catwithpen.livejournal.com]

You should probably make your own post to keep things on topic, but I think your commissioner sounds unreliable; if they don't pay within a few days of getting the slot, give the slot to someone else.

[snowyedges.livejournal.com]

I'd send them a fanmail (more reliable than regular messages I think) on top of making a post with your WIPs.

[thecreativepen.livejournal.com]

That's actually how we'd been getting in touch with one another. Definitely going to do the post thing. I also realized that their ask link is disabled now, so that might explain why the "fan" messages haven't been received.

Off topic, but I don't understand how fan mail is different than asks.

[michele fancy (from livejournal.com)]

Fanmail doesn't have a character limit and you can send links. Asks I believe only have a certain character limit and you can't post links. I think it's to cut down on spam?

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

Last time I tried to fanmail a link it told me not to include any and wouldn't send.

(edited for punctuation)