Advice: Rushed commission with little-to-no payment?

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Hello, I've felt conflicted about this situation for months now and really need help.

Around December 2013 I opened up for commissions and my client asked for a fursuit partial done in time for AnthroCon. Although I don't take deadlines, I told him I would still be able to get it done in time for then.
The partial (head, feet, tail and paws) is completed a month before the con, but only because he asked every few days for WIPS and info on the suit. This was his second commission from me and unlike the first, he rushed me along. That did not effect the quality.

My problem is that I told him I would not start until I received most/all payment and he told me he NEEDED the suit done in time for the con. He had a job and then lost it right before the AnthroCon; he still went and took the suit with him.

It's now December 2014 and he's only paid $167, the last payment being in May. He just got a job recently and I asked him in October about payment, when he saw my message and never replied.

What can I do at this point? I feel cheated and incredibly awkward being in this new situation. I don't know how to ask him to finish paying for the suit, or even if I should post about him to here. He's a local and very nice, I'm afraid of being given a bad rep if I mess up with communication.

Thanks.

Comments

[signy.livejournal.com]

If I'm understanding this correctly, he is currently in possession of the suit? If he took it to Anthrocon, he's had it since July, correct? That's really not ok. It was very nice of you to allow him to wear the suit for the event he wanted it for, but unless he pays for it, he shouldn't get to keep it.

If he's not able to pay for it, or come up with a payment plan that is acceptable to you both, I'd recommend telling him that you're going to need the suit back until he meets the owed balance. You can tell him that you'll hold it for him for a certain amount of time, or that you won't resell it at all. (Given the amount of time that it's been in his possession, allowing for wear/tear/odors ect., it might not be re-sellable anyway.)

It really sucks that you have to worry about taking a reputation hit for his bad behavior. If anything ever does come out that reflect negatively on you, I think a firm, concise and professional response is the best way to go. Don't over-explain, don't bring in personal feelings, and just be calm about the whole thing. "XYZ hadn't paid for the suit I made for him. I let him wear it to the event he wanted it for, but I still need to be paid for it."

Edit: I really feel like he's taken major advantage of you. I don't think you should do a beware just yet, since you are local and want to resolve this as smoothly as possible. However, if he keeps ignoring your notes and dodging payment, you really should consider making one.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

That's correct, he's currently in possession.

I posted this earlier and have IMed him asking if he's going to pay or not. I feel that, if he says no a third time, I'm going to just write him up on here.

I don't even know why I did it in the first place, it's against my TOS. I think him bossing me about the deadline got to me.

[signy.livejournal.com]

Wait - are you saying that you've asked for payment and he's outright said no to it? Twice?

That's beyond taking advantage of. That's outright stealing from you.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Because he lost his job.

Then, y'know, went on some trips and went to a con.

[exo-formicidae.livejournal.com]

if he lost his job then the con and trips really should be on the bottom of a to-do list :/ Or apologize and let you keep the partial for re-sale at the least.

How was the original payment plan? I only ask because if he was paying in steps then you could hold him accountable at (x'step will be done when y'ammount of payment is done).

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Here's the message he just sent me:

I just started my job. I'm working on paying the rest off once important outstanding bills are taken care of first. You should have it by the end of the year or the beginning

[exo-formicidae.livejournal.com]

well that does at least sound promising :)
I still find the behavior really rude though, and would not want to work with them in the future - but it is ofcourse your decision if you want to make a full beware or not :)

Also apologies if I come off as a bit strong, it just infuriates me so much when people run over other people's good intentions, and have been burned so many times on the same mistake (luckily only for digital art).

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping he keeps his promise. Ugh.

Yeah, there's NO way I'm working with him again in the future. Should I still write up against him?

[vauvakolibri.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend it. Even if he eventually pays, there's been a ton of inexcusable red flags as a whole from start to end.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Will consider writing this tonight. Thank you!

[frisket17.livejournal.com]

Keep the email safe. That is your written 'contract' that he acknowledges payment, and you're due and he's anticipating paying you within a given time frame.