Looking for advice: Requesting a refund from an artist

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure if I should have mentioned this in the title so I felt it was better to keep it in the body. Essentially I'm considering requesting a refund from an artist due to having to wait several months for having a commissioned piece done. However what's troubling me is that the artist says they are suffering from depression and that they are doing what they can to get mine and other works done. I'm not sure of what to do here cause I feel like if I ask for refund, a whole new set of issues are going to arise from it and that I might be causing the artist more grief on top of their current situation. So I'm a bit lost of what to do.

Comments

[jessibean.livejournal.com]

As someone who also suffers from depression and generalized anxiety disorder, I can understand where they're coming from. HOWEVER... I feel like we need some more information here in order to really give you a good answer. How often have you been in touch with the artist? You say several months but how many months is it really? How many other commissions do they have hanging?

Having depression sucks, but you also have to learn what you can and cannot handle. If they suffer from depression but continuously take commissions that they cannot or will not complete, that's a problem regardless of any issue they have.

Also, as terrible as this sounds... there's always the chance that they're lying. I know that's horrible to say, but there are LOT of people on the internet that - sadly - use illness of any type as an excuse. Whether they use it as an excuse for bad behavior, for just being a jerk, or for not finishing a project, it's just... frustrating. It takes away from people who really DO suffer from these illnesses, and it makes it really sad and sickening that I even have to bring up that it might just be an excuse.

[friskecrisps.livejournal.com]

Its been roughly 3 months going on 4 now and I'm not sure how many others but I keep seeing the person posting for new commissions

[jessibean.livejournal.com]

If they're posting for new commissions while actively telling you that they are too depressed to work on yours, I think you are well within your rights to ask for a refund.

[sacch.livejournal.com]

This. OP should definitely ask for a refund! I suffer from depression/anxiety disorder like the OP has stated the artist does, so I understand getting motivation to do work can be difficult. However I think there's no excuse for taking more commissions when they've already kept OP waiting. Taking more commissions while owing some already would put a bad taste in my mouth regardless of their situation.

[sbneko.livejournal.com]

Are they actually new though? It could be they're finishing up their list.

Unless you saw them take new ones, and then post those.