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

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

He and I aren't exactly "close friends". He's tried snaking his way in, saying I'm like a younger sister to him, but if I was that image then is cheating me out really that excusable?

I've already pushed away 3-4 locals who wanted to do business but couldn't conduct it without being rude or not even replying to my messages. This guy, though, a lot of people like him. It's why I'm slightly worried.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

He doesn't want to be your friend, he wants to take advantage of you. If people support him in that, then they also want to take advantage of you. Telling someone to pay for your services is not rude, it's good business. Tell him to pay up or look into taking legal action.

This guy is wasting time you could spend on a decent customer.

I have 2 older brothers and they would never treat me this way. They know this is my work; they get paid for their work and I deserve to get paid for mine.