Artist MIA - Need advice?
Feb. 1st, 2015 01:18 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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artists_bewareHi all,
I'm relatively new to this community but I could use some advice, as I'm also new to this commissioning business. I won't post a full beware yet, as I've given the artist a deadline that has not yet passed.
Basically, I started commissioning artists early this month to get gifts for someone. I found this artist with an adorable style that I loved, and commissioned them for a $7 chibi. This was on the 4th of Jan. I asked them what the approximate wait time was, but they read my note and didn't respond. Unsure what to do, I checked their journal where they said the wait time was 2 weeks for a chibi. I left it for 2 weeks. Once it hit two weeks, there had been nothing from the artist (no contact, no wip, no art), so I sent another note just politely asking how my commission was coming along and if things were okay on their end. No response, and not even read. I decided to give them another week, and at the 3 week mark I sent another message stating my concerns. I did keep it civil and polite. I told them that I don't mind of there's a delay for any reason, but I'd at least like to know what's going on, and that if they don't at least respond after a month (8th Feb), I'll be looking into getting a refund. So far it has not been read. They haven't been terribly active online, only posting some art 2 weeks ago, and haven't posted a journal saying why there might be delays. There's also no links on their profile to any other accounts, so I have no way to otherwise contact them. As soon as I paid, they stopped communicating with me, not even acknowledging my payment aside from putting my on their "paid" list.
Basically, I'm stumped. At this point I'd rather take my money and commission an artist with better communication. But at the same time, I feel silly making a fuss over $7.00 and should wait longer. But then again, I'd happily wait longer if they'd at least communicate with me. What should I do? Should I follow through with my deadline, or was that too rash of me and should I have waited longer?
I'm relatively new to this community but I could use some advice, as I'm also new to this commissioning business. I won't post a full beware yet, as I've given the artist a deadline that has not yet passed.
Basically, I started commissioning artists early this month to get gifts for someone. I found this artist with an adorable style that I loved, and commissioned them for a $7 chibi. This was on the 4th of Jan. I asked them what the approximate wait time was, but they read my note and didn't respond. Unsure what to do, I checked their journal where they said the wait time was 2 weeks for a chibi. I left it for 2 weeks. Once it hit two weeks, there had been nothing from the artist (no contact, no wip, no art), so I sent another note just politely asking how my commission was coming along and if things were okay on their end. No response, and not even read. I decided to give them another week, and at the 3 week mark I sent another message stating my concerns. I did keep it civil and polite. I told them that I don't mind of there's a delay for any reason, but I'd at least like to know what's going on, and that if they don't at least respond after a month (8th Feb), I'll be looking into getting a refund. So far it has not been read. They haven't been terribly active online, only posting some art 2 weeks ago, and haven't posted a journal saying why there might be delays. There's also no links on their profile to any other accounts, so I have no way to otherwise contact them. As soon as I paid, they stopped communicating with me, not even acknowledging my payment aside from putting my on their "paid" list.
Basically, I'm stumped. At this point I'd rather take my money and commission an artist with better communication. But at the same time, I feel silly making a fuss over $7.00 and should wait longer. But then again, I'd happily wait longer if they'd at least communicate with me. What should I do? Should I follow through with my deadline, or was that too rash of me and should I have waited longer?
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Date: 2015-02-01 02:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-02-01 03:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-02-02 02:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-02-01 04:50 pm (UTC)Don't feel silly. It may be 7 dollars but you still paid money to an artist and they have not been communicating with you. If you do not hear from them by the deadline then go ahead and get a beware ready.
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Date: 2015-02-02 02:30 am (UTC)Oh I do agree, I feel that I have paid for a service that has not been provided (no matter the amount), and that's still theft... But I can't help but feel a little silly at the same time ^^; Either way, I won't let them just walk off with it, though.
Looks like I'm probably going to have to post that beware regardless.
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Date: 2015-02-01 08:40 pm (UTC)Any professional artist will not ignore you after payment is sent!
I would do a chargeback if you still have not heard from them after the deadline. Also since you're new I hope you did not send payment as a gift as you can not get your money back if you did.
It does not matter how much a commission was, if you paid for something, then you should get it and if you don't you deserve your money back!
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Date: 2015-02-02 02:34 am (UTC)Thankfully I sent it as a normal service payment, because I was cautious about this kinda thing happening. Just my luck it happens to be one of my first experiences!
Sometimes I feel bad, like what is something awful is going on in their personal life, but then I think I *am* their paying customer. Surely they can take a minute to bang out a quick note to me? :/
Once the deadline has passed, I will most certainly open a case and post a beware here, if this continues.
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Date: 2015-02-02 02:03 pm (UTC)As its your first time commissioning people I would suggest asking people you know who they had a good experience with that they would suggest. I would also suggest checking out the Positive Review post on here :3 they post one every month where people post who they had a good experience commissioning recently.^^
If you like you can send me a note on FA(same name) and I can suggest people I have commissioned personally who I had a good experience with. :3
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Date: 2015-02-03 12:01 pm (UTC)That's a really good idea actually, thank you ^^
Unfortunately I do not use FA but I do have a DeviantArt, if you do too? :)
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Date: 2015-02-17 08:05 am (UTC)