Question: Not working on commissions/ lack of inspiration?

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Sorry for asking two questions, but one's as a commissioner and one's as a seller.

I'd say about a month ago I saw somebody was having a sale on FurAffinity and paid them for a flat-colored piece. Sadly I have no evidence because they deleted the submission it was on and we never talked VIA notes.

Since then, they haven't done a single commission and keep doing personal artwork. They post a lot about exams and then being extremely tired or emotionally unstable... Then will do a liveSTREAM of personal artwork. They also keep posting about commissions being open and new deals, despite not actually working on any commissions. I think people have asked them how commissions are doing because she'll post stuff like "I'm too tired to work today".

I woke up this morning ready to write a note asking for a refund and saw that they posted about their mother passing away in the night. Now I'm not too sure if it's a good time to ask about my commission.
--

My second question has to do with selling.

I make fursuits and have about 5-7 on my commissions list at the moment. However I do have periods where I want to draw and don't feel inspired to work on fursuits at all (which is happening right now).

A customer who hasn't even paid me for their commission yet (and I haven't started on it) keeps PMing me stuff like "Why do you keep working on artwork when people have paid for their fursuits?"

Is it okay to take a break for a week or two and then go back to commissions?

Thanks.

Comments

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Just from my first thoughts on both of these so you are getting the visceral reaction.

1) I would give it a week or so before asking for the refund unless you did it through paypal, then I would do a charge back within the time frame allowed esp. since there is no evidence that the transaction existed but don't let it go over the allowed refund time.

2) Do you have hard deadlines on things? If so those are the time frames you must meet in order to stay in business. One also has to be careful about how one is perceived here. Do you meet deadlines in a timely fashion? Do you get your work done in a timely fashion? If so then don't worry about one person who hasn't even put down money on your product. If this is bothering you, might want to do some self evaluation of why it is bothering you so much.

I meet most of my deadlines and if I don't I make sure that the other party knows why and the revised timeframe of when they can expect their puppet/doll/mask/costume.

[dinogrrl.livejournal.com]

1. Even if what the artist is posting is true, which would be a terrible situation for them, it's not your issue. Whether or not a family member has passed away, the artist still needs to be in contact with you, even if just to say "Hey I've had some really bad things go down, I need to go on hiatus for a bit to take care of stuff." You are perfectly within your rights as a paying customer to send them a note asking the status of your commission. I would give them a chance to at least respond, but it may be easier to ask for a refund and give them a chance to get themselves back in order before approaching them commission-wise again. Like the other commenter said, if you paid through Paypal, don't let their chargeback time frame slip past you, but yeah, at least give the artist a chance to respond to you before taking that step.

2. That customer sounds a bit demanding, yeesh. I'd tell them that you'll notify them as soon as you've begun work on their piece, please be patient. :}

It's fine to take a bit of a break every now and then, so long as it's not interfering with your overall completion timetable, or making you miss deadlines. Sometimes a change of pace is needed in order to clear your mind. If it's really bothering you, though, maybe just do even one small thing a day on the fursuits to keep progress moving forward at least a tiny bit--like, tonight, cut out one piece of fabric. Tomorrow, cut out another piece. I find that if I can do a little bit at a time to slog through my artist/writer's block, progress won't completely stagnate on me, and eventually I'll work past the block and start zooming along again.

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

Totally only my opinion, and based only on the information given, with a dash of my own previous experiences in situations similar (but otherwise utterly unrelated) to yours.

1. If the flat-coloured piece you paid for has some manner of emailed receipt (like from PayPal) or record of transaction somewhere else online, screencap it. Email that screencap to the artist, with a polite message along the lines of asking, "Do you remember this sale about a month ago? I'd like to know if you've started mine. If you haven't, I would like to cancel my commission and request a refund. If you have started, could you please show me a work-in-progress?" No need to bring up observations of recent livestreams and others' comments. Keep it calm, professional, non-accusatory, polite.
2. "A customer who hasn't even paid me..." [nagging at you] - this is why I put the very thorough preface on my reply. Frankly, my response to somebody who has requested work but has not sent money, and nags me about my workflow is, "Thank you for your interest in commissioning me. At this time, because no money has changed hands between us, I must cancel your request." And take him off the list, and probably not let him return to it within the next year... while getting the other stuff dealt with.

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

Definitely take snobahr advise for both. They're phrased very well.

RUN AWAY FROM DRAMA!

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

I copy and pasted your little message into a note for them. I'm expecting to get a giant rant in return or something, but it's getting out of hand.

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

If the person gets all Ranty McRanterson at you, nothing says you can't Block, and go on with your life.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Oh, but how would I get my money back?

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

I thought you meant the client who hasn't given any money, yet. My apologies. If it comes to it, you can send an invoice to the person you paid, for the amount you paid. You hadn't indicated what method was used for payment - I'm going to guess it was via a method that would allow you to invoice somebody. Otherwise, politely request the refund, and if only rants ensue, then it's time to Name Names (and keep screencaps).

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

So, rather than reply DIRECTLY to me, they posted a journal saying this:

"Commissions will be done, so please for heaven's sake don't rush me.
Because this really was unexpected and it is hurting me, my family, and half of the county.
I wouldn't push you and stress you, if it happened to you and I was waiting on something from you.
Patience is all I ask.
If I don't get patience, then, when your commission is done, I'll never work with you again.
Please don't be so selfish.."

At this point, I just want a refund. That's all I want. This is getting TOO out of hand.

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

"My condolences on your loss. I would like a refund, please, by (name a reasonable-to-you date, like, perhaps, the end of July)"

The reason I say end of July is that gives him some time to scatter lost thoughts and whatnot.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Would it be correct to quietly go onto PayPal and just ask for a refund on there? I REALLY don't want to deal with this person any longer, and I don't want a commission from them if I'm going to be treated like this.

[blekarotva.livejournal.com]

How long until you run out of time to open a Paypal case?

If you still have a week or so, do as snobahr said ask for a refund within that time. If you don't get the refund or get a refusal from them, open the case before the time expires.
But going quietly to Paypal without warning may be seen as a dick move on your part. I would not recommend that.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

It's a dick move on their part that they won't reply to my notes without posting a journal about how "selfish" it is to ask about commissions.

I apparently have 180 days. Cool.

I had asked about the refund, see the response above. >>;; I just really want a refund now, I don't care about my commission.

[kyotosorae.livejournal.com]

Well seeing how they said "If I don't get patience, then, when your commission is done, I'll never work with you again." I'm pretty sure that the future business with them is out of the window by now, so either ask again after a day (or two?) or just go trough the PayPal.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

I realized I made a mistake when they started making up excuses when other people commissioned her and then asked about it, too.

I'd like to ask tonight but I'd get shanked if I do. Maybe try for tomorrow?

[kyotosorae.livejournal.com]

I personally would ask tomorrow because it seems like others are asking the same from them and they seem to be really mad about it, but if they still tomorrow keep that tone and attitude (in public) i'd go trough the PayPal honestly ._.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Oh, alright. That makes more sense.

They have posted journals directed towards past friends and commissioners about how bad they are and how they'll "burn in Hell for what they said". Scary.

[blekarotva.livejournal.com]

Staying calm and professional on cases like this says good things about people.
Proceed with the Paypal claim then. Say something along the lines that you're sorry for their loss, but that you do not wish to do anymore business with them and have decided to follow this course of action.
Do as you feel right. I recommend to stay polite.

Also, how do you get 180 days period to be able to file a claim? I only get 45.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Can I just shoot them a note right now with it and just get the claim on PayPal?

I have NO idea. Sadly I can't decipher which e-mail is hers because she deleted all of the comments where we did business together and she has a fake name.

I'm so afraid of her posting about me on here or to other people because I want a freaking refund.

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

Ummm you are entitled to a refund if work hasn't begun yet. If you gave been professional in your contact; any claims they have for a beware wouldn't hold.

I presonally don't get the paranoia of being "put on here". If you do as you're suppose to, you wouldn't end up here at all! We don't accept every beware under the sun, its gotta have weight to it, and someone dodging a commissioner but has enough gall to refuse to refund them isn't exactly gonna show up.

[blekarotva.livejournal.com]

Does she have a public email? You can search on your paypal transactions that email and the search will show all payments made to that account - even if they're different emails.

Also do you remember the date you sent payment?
Search on your Paypal transcations that date and the amount of the commission. Should be rather simple if you don't send a lot of payments.

If you don't find the transaction though, shoot them a note asking for her Paypal and inform them that you'll be opening a claim if they decide to not refund you.

If everything fails, well, you can always post them here.

Good you luck with this!

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

If you remember the time frame and the approximate amount, you can look it up under the transactions tab on Paypal.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

1. I wholeheartedly second what Snobahr suggested as a way to formulate the note. The artist may not even feel up to getting to commission work after losing a parent, so maybe it would be in both parties' best interest to just refund and go.

2. I'm sorry nope. This isn't a sketch commission or a simple art piece. This is a fursuit. They're sending up red flags by nagging you before you've even started. I would cancel and just run while you can. If they're this demanding at one week or two of you not working like a machine on fursuits (that they haven't even paid for!), they may only get worse.

Dealing with blocks

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

To deal with your personal block, devote some time to the boring technical details of the commission so they get done and when inspiration hits, you can spend it on the creative part, not the drudgery.

Things that would fall into that sort of routine, non-creative stuff"
* Organizing or cleaning workspace
* cleaning or ironing fabric or fur that's been folded or stored for an extended period
* maintenance on the sewing machine
* quality control where you have to inspect stuff
* some of the measurement portions
* taking photos for approval
* repairing or cleaning tools
* shopping for supplies
* communication with client about technical details

Go ahead and draw as well, but do the technical fursuit related stuff as well. This way when you go "AHA, I know just how to do this portion, FINALLY!" your sewing machine is ready to go, everything is to hand, and you don't need to make an emergency trip to the craft store because you're out of a specific color of thread. Make it so easy to do your work that there's no reason to avoid it.

Everybody goes through periods of creative stagnation where they don't feel up to CREATING (or creating in a specific medium) and need to refill that well somehow. But making sure all the bland details done ahead of times means you're good to go when you're ready.

Think of it as being ready for spring. You want to get out and DO something, but may be stymied in your efforts if you didn't get your tools ready ahead of time. Don't miss the chance to let your creativity bloom because your tools and materials weren't ready.

Re: Dealing with blocks

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

We've had snow here for WEEKS (twice as much as the normal here in New England) and I think this will help me very much. I want to go outside so badly now that the weather is nice!

Thank you.

Re: Dealing with blocks

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

I feel you on that. I resorted to hitting the snow pile with a pickax to break them up so I could throw mulch in the garden here.

GO AWAY, WINTER.

Re: Dealing with blocks

[wuvvumsoc.livejournal.com]

I am originally from New England as well and I heard it's been a real hell. Down south it got unusually cold as well, but I know the feeling of the cold really keeping you indoors and unmotivated.

Mod Note

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

I'm going to be screening this because the OP of this post was asking for advice and did not actually out you at all anywhere in here.

Secondly, your attitude is wholly atrocious, calling the OP a child and the like? Not cool in the least, even with your situation.

Lastly, asking for advice about an anonymous person (or someone that was anonymous til you outed yourself) is not unprofessional in the least.

Re: Mod Note

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Not too sure if it's okay to be replying to a Mod's note.

They did copy and paste that into a note and sent that to me as well. I'm not phased, but I don't really know what to say/do at this point. I just want to move on.

Re: Mod Note

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

Its fine. I didn't freeze the thread to stop replies. All I can suggest is just continuing to be polite/professional (and brief) with them, and once its all over with, cease contact.

Re: Mod Note

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Will do, thank you very much.

Re: Mod Note

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

I'd almost say their actions are deserving of a beware at this point, but for you I can see the hassle not being worth it.

While I feel for them on the loss of their relative, their attitude is not cool.

But as I did with their own comments, I'm screening this one to shelter their identity.

Re: Mod Note

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Understandable! I was shown this and told that I should link this to this post as well.

I'm afraid to write a beware and I agree, the hassle would not be worth it in the end. As I've said this entire post, I want to move on and forget. This was simply a bad commission experience, but not one worth getting worked up over.