Beware: Capt Rico Sakara

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

WHO: Capt Rico Sakara

WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/captricosakara/

WHAT: $30 digital art commission

WHEN: From roughly October of 2012 to April of 2013

PROOF: Payment sent: http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/Untitled-2_zps406d4e89.png

Conversations on commission updates and attempts to contact: http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/May7th2012_zps824f0cd4.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/August20th2012_zps11a69452.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/Contactattempts_zpsc30a0fc9.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/July9th2012_zps1fac88b7.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/October21st2012_zps84bbe9da.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/October9th2012Paymentsent_zps4bd6ff75.png

1st refund attempt:
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/March20th1strefundattempt_zpsedaee6c6.png

2nd refund attempt and Artist_Beware warning:
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/April25th2013Commissionrefund_zps847a6b3b.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/April25th2013part2_zps53f0c7bc.png
http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/April25th2013part3_zpsbcc50d6c.png

EXPLAIN: Basically, I had paid for a commission back in October. His way of the business was the customer put down half the commission price as a pre-payment and then pay the rest for the approved sketch. So I made the payment and waited for him to get work on it. I had him added in my skype and asked them occasionally how the commissioning was going and he'd always said he'd get to it soon. However, during the whole 6 months, he had only uploaded 2 pictures from 2 year overdue commissions. After almost 7 months of waiting, I just asked for a refund. He hesitated at first, but I finally got my money back.
My basis for this, DO NOT COMMISSION HIM! He'll take your money and make you wait for months on end. He keeps putting commissions off to write fan-fiction and play online games and when you try to ask for a refund, he'll try and manipulate things to make you seem like the bad guy. He is incredibly rude and I would not recommend him for artwork to anyone!

Comments

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

I'm probably the first in a line of people that are probably not happy with what he's doing. Yes it was a dick move to make the post in the end, but he's not going to learn if something isn't done about it.
And in response, tell me how I was rude? His skype status was always set to online so I have no clue when he's actually "online" so that's why I message him so much cause its the only way to get a response out of him.

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Saying "I will make an Artists_Beware post if you DON'T give me a refund." and then making one anyway means that you have gone back on your word.

Is that worse or better than not getting a commission on time? That's not up for debate, they're two different situations. I think it's in bad taste to be dishonest in a threat like that, and it seems petty.

Aside from that, you keep saying in comments that you used Skype socially, but you also listed it as "proof of contact" meaning that it was proof you were trying to contact him -about your commission-. That level of constant, nagging behavior is rude to me. In addition, if you wanted to know about your commission, being upfront and saying "Hey, just curious how it's coming along!" is much more honest than coming off as a social nudge, then throwing a business related conversation.

And also, insisting that a hobby is someone's job the second money is involved is unfair and wrong. I have a friend who makes pottery on the side as a hobby. She makes money from it, but it is not her job. Does this mean that anyone working as a hobby artist should have bad business practices? Obviously not, but taking money does not make something your job.

I understand you were upset with the artist, but you came off as very rude to me, and that's why I said what I did.

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

Its simple supply and demand. When I give someone money and they take it, does that not entitle me to get something in return? Does that not mean that it is then their responsibility, job, etc to meet my demand? I understand how harsh that sounds but that's basic business. Whether you do it for a hobby or you do it to make a living, it all comes around to the same thing. When someone pays you for something, they are then obligated to give something in return.

And yes...for the thousandth time...I went back on my word. That's been established already, but I'm standing by it.

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Its simple supply and demand. When I give someone money and they take it, does that not entitle me to get something in return?

Yes, and when you didn't, you got a refund. Congratulations, the ledger is back to zero.

Does that not mean that it is then their responsibility, job, etc to meet my demand?

You are misusing the word "job". When something is your -hobby- it is not your -job-.

And yes...for the thousandth time...I went back on my word. That's been established already, but I'm standing by it.
When I posted my comment, I was the first. You responded, I responded. The fact you are unapologetic about being dishonest makes me incredibly uninterested in ever working with you as a customer, as well as your continued use of the term "entitled".

Good luck to you, I've got nothing more to say.

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

When you charge someone for something, it is no longer a hobby. It is a job.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

Just to sort of step in:

You're going to have to understand that there will be many people echoing this sentiment - going back on your word and all. You don't need to defend it over and over again however. Many people agree with Sigil that it was a bit shady to use AB to get the refund, and then continue to post one.

I noticed you're acting quite defensive and responding to every single comment, you should probably step back and just let people read and voice their opinions at this point.

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah I've noticed that. However it seems people are kinda overlooking my side of the issue and just focusing on the negatives on my end "Oh you went back on your word", "You bugged him everyday", etc and it does get under my skin a bit when there's evidence against someone with poor skills but they immediately go after the guy who lied and did something anyway.

I know people are going to keep focusing on that over and over. I just want them to understand my point instead of just focusing on "You lied. You're the jerk."

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

I can't speak for other members , but I understand your side of it. If you didn't have a valid reason to be here, we would not have posted it. However, your actions in the post are fairly negative and many artists would not put up with it.

They are going to focus on what evidence is right before their eyes, and you going back on your word as well as skyping the artist repeatedly (despite open social communication) doesn't look good. Whether or not you defend it will not change the opinion that it looks sour on both sides. What the artist did was very obviously wrong, there's no need to explain or discuss that.

What people WILL discuss, is how you (the OP) acted and could also change your behavior so you don't run into this situation again. Try not to take it too personally, it's the nature of this community to analyze and pick things apart and get to their very core.