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

[pyroro.livejournal.com]

Well in some cases I can understand mentioning Artist_Beware posting if the artist/commissioner or what have ya, constantly makes excuses, puts off the work and it may be the only way to get that fire under them to put out something.. I mean..I've seen others use it before. I can see how the OP was a bit abrasive in tone though. As mods of the community are commissioners allowed to mention A_B if it is at that final straw, past the paypal dispute 45 days?

[kasune.livejournal.com]

I have seen it happen in other posts too, but I myself don't like it. That's just my personal opinion though. I wouldn't want a commissioner doing that to me. If I had an issue with an artist I wouldn't use being posted to A_B as a threat.

Yeah it's a way to kick them in the rear and get motivated, but it doesn't always work. (Example, another artist whom I won't name has been posted here MANY times now, with no change.)

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

It varies with artists. And like I mentioned in the above post, it had been 7 months so this was my last straw moment. No artist OR commissioner would want their name posted on this page, though if their business ethics are bad like mentioned above, then hopefully this gives them a wake up call.

And with what you said, sometimes it doesn't always work. Then isn't that the more reason to post them on here? If they aren't going to change how they run their commissions business, then other artists, commissioners, etc should know what this person does. If it gets them motivated to change things, then they'll be able to rebuild their reputation. If this doesn't motivate them to change things, then the post warns people that this artist doesn't really care about things.

[kasune.livejournal.com]

You do have a valid point, and I agree that posting artists and commissioners with bad behavior and ethic is justified by what you mention. If it gives them a wake up call, great. If it doesn't, yes, then it's a good warning to others. That can be seen throughout this entire community- we've had repeat scam artists posted here that owe commissions from several YEARS back. As a result they lose/have lost business.

However, threatening to post someone to A_B to rush them to get their commission done or give a commissioner a refund comes off as guilt tripping- which is why I personally find that it was not a good route to take, coming from an artist who has been guilt tripped before. It's awful and it is NOT a motivator. It adds more pressure and stress, as well as tension between both parties.

You could have said "I'd like a refund by Wednesday." If the artist didn't meet that refund deadline, you could THEN say "Since you didn't meet the deadline as asked, I will be posting you to Artists_Beware." It doesn't come off as a threat, but a statement- I see that as more acceptable. There's no pressure or guilt-tripping, but more of a "I have waited and given you time, now I'm going to take further action."

I'm sorry if I repeated myself at all, but I feel like I've said everything I had to say. I also apologize if I come off as rude or condescending- that wasn't my intention.

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

Well did you see the screencap that I posted?

This one: http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/FriskeCrisps/April25th2013Commissionrefund_zps847a6b3b.png

I did actually follow your advice. That's the thing there, when I made that statement, he gave me the refund right there which, thinking back on it, does have me a little suspicious that asking him before that he didn't want to refund me but when I bring in AB, he suddenly has the money.
Anyway, don't worry about it. You weren't rude or anything. Just different opinions. No one is wrong or anything. Just different sides of view.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

Allowed sure, but is it suggested? Not really. Threats hardly ever work, and aren't entirely necessary. Sometimes they can be useful, but rarely do they change the artists ethics.

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

Well if this happens to be one of those rare chances that it does work, then I'm glad he'll be able to change his ways. If it doesn't, like you said, then I guess this serves as a warning to other people about this guy.