Beware: Kammymau

[gamedoge.livejournal.com]

WHO: Kammymau, Mandymau, Mandymau5

WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kammymau/

WHAT: Headshot sketch

WHEN: Paid on the 29th of December to be delivered on the 5th of January. Refund deadline of 3/4th of February.

PROOF & EXPLAIN: Originally I was going to wait until I've received my refund, but after how unprofessional she's acted I feel I can post it now just dealing with her attitude alone.



Kammymau posted for 12$ headshots on the 29th of December which I quickly nabbed up and sent payment for that same day. It was stated in the journal that they were "For Next Week" and my slot was for "Monday." Later in the week, red flags popped up regarding her attitude towards commissioners, and I began to become wary of whether or not my slot would be completed on time, namely the 2nd of January when she posted this journal. Luckily two days later, the 4th, she stated she'd be back to work.

On the 5th, my date, she posted she'd be working on headshots that day, but needed 4 more slots for it to be a "batch." ???
By the end of the day there was no sign of the headshots being done, but on the 6th she posted she'd do them when she's "free again" followed by an art block journal the next day.

I continued to wait, and finally on the 20th I sent a note requesting an update. She replied that she updated in a youtube video? and that she'd be doing it next week. On the 26th she posted a journal saying that she accidentally deleted SAI followed by that her computer may have a virus.

----

After taking account of the advice from an advice post I made here, combined with what I had witnessed in stream and being not 100% sold on her continued excuses, I sent a note stating I'd be more comfortable cancelling my commission than waiting an undetermined amount of time for it.

She replied rather aggressively, which I was shocked by.

I replied and tried to be as to-the-point as possible, expressing that I had never agreed (nor could find?) a ToS.

She replied with one of the most unprofessional statements I have ever seen, and made me feel extremely uncomfortable as a commissioner. Furthermore, if she had sketched it, why not have brought that to my attention first instead of after I insisted on a refund? I sent my final reply, stating I'd wait a week again for the refund.

She still has two days before the deadline I gave hits it's mark, but on the 1st she posted a journal that I felt was also another strike against her professionalism in direct relevance to this situation. http://puu.sh/fo6Fr/2a6bac8765.png

In conclusion, she does great work but has an overall poor attitude in regards to separating her business and personal life, as well as handling her clients, and has issues meeting deadlines.

EDIT || I actually paid 15$ instead of 12$ which I forgot to add in.

On 2/3 I sent her a note as a reminder before I disputed the transaction. She replied, then shortly after posted this journal. (http://i.imgur.com/NPRkTep.jpg) I've also now received the refund.

Comments

[gamedoge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this; I've edited to fix the cut and added the resolution. I've revived my refund at this point in time so that is resolved, but the beware on her unprofessional behavior and attitude still stands unresolved.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

It bears repeating despite how many times it is said.
1. You can't legally deny a refund if work is not completed.
2. If you are spending money before completing the work, that's not the client's problem.
3. If you can't survive doing commissions, can't handle your business properly, and can't treat your clients properly, then this isn't the job for you.

[unicorn-magic.livejournal.com]

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6472690/#cid:44227224
This thread is alarming.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

That will never stand up in court, and Paypal will happily prove them in the wrong.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Goodness gracious. If she were any more passive-aggressive she would be upside-down.

[maxx attax (from livejournal.com)]

I browsed some of her journals, and it's not just passive-aggressive, it's full on aggressiveness. It's really a shame because her art IS nice. :C

(frozen)

[dragontripmon.livejournal.com]

And what surprises me she admitted torrenting SAI it's almost like she could'nt either afford it or even use free alternate programs like Firealpaca which is what i use for stable lines.

(frozen)

[puddingpaw.livejournal.com]

because nobody torrents things o m g

[maxx attax (from livejournal.com)]

"Plus I do not do refunds which is in my TOS like nearly every artists."

Um, it's not in my TOS to deny refunds. It's not in the TOS of any artist I've personally known.

I really don't get why....some people think they can just deny a refund?? Like who do they think Paypal will side with in a dispute? I would just...really like to see one of these people get a dispute against them and then go to Paypal and be like "no you can't take my money, see, it's in my TOS that I don't do refunds!". Does anyone know where this mindset comes from?

[galaxy-deer.livejournal.com]

^^^^
My TOS states I do refunds on case by case. Like sketch is done, but you want a refund. Cool I'll just charge for the sketch and refund the rest.

:T Idk where these folks get the idea that no refunds in their TOS isn't legally binding...? And the fact that perhaps some people will be hella wary commissioning you because you might just run off with their money.

[staple-gunner.livejournal.com]

wow that journal is a beware in and of itself, asking to borrow money and cursing up and down... plus the good old no refunds clause. beware well warranted!!

[pinstripedtiger.livejournal.com]

Even if I hadn't seen this beware, one glance at their journals would have steered me FAR away. Yikes!

Posting a journal literally asking people to "lend" (read: commission) them to pay back money they hadn't earned. If you haven't done the work, that money isn't yours to spend yet. You don't get paid before you work all your hours at any other job.

Also I'm not exactly the most prudent person around but all the cursing in asking for the $15 is seriously offputting and aggressive.

[latiro.livejournal.com]

She's very rude, passive-aggressive and aggressive to not just her commissioners (especially from the journal asking for $15 while cursing up a storm), but also to one of the artists she commissioned. (and that artist happens to be Pirate-Cashoo if you check Cashoo's FA page)

Not someone I would work with.

[pinstripedtiger.livejournal.com]

Jeez, 2 years is a long time but that aggressive bullying tone is way over the top.

[maplecake.livejournal.com]

It was quite ironic to see her here since I had a passive aggressive encounter a few days ago regarding a refund from me on a YCH. It was resolved in the end but she made me quite uncomfortable in the process with her blunt and aggressive replies. I was debating whether or not to post these screenshots since I didn't want to cause any trouble but I decided it is something that needs to be shared. However, I do acknowledge that I was in the wrong for not noting her earlier about the delay on her YCH as it was ordered around mid-Decemeber. If she had noted me with a deadline, I would have gladly accommodated her request.

http://i.imgur.com/ia1pmn5.png

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I guess it's different when she's the one that wants a refund. Funny how that works.

[mazz.livejournal.com]

Ugh using her kid as a scapegoat for her not doing her work by a deadline made me rage. -watch

[eli-daggertooth.livejournal.com]

This! The amount of times they brought up their kid to gain pity was shocking. They milked that cow until it was dry.

[lackoflollies.livejournal.com]

Oh my gourd.

[ramthedragon.livejournal.com]

Wow, just wow! This person is an example of so many red flags.
No refunds ToS (the nerve to say that's how all artists work, I will fully refund you if no work has been started), passive aggressive journal entries, huge queue delays (5 months!!!), spending commission money without having finished work, general rudeness and guilt tripping.

I am so sorry you had to deal with such an unsavoury artist and I am glad you managed to get your money back.

[spartanwerewolf.livejournal.com]

*chinhands* After scrolling through her journal list, all I can think is: She's certainly not gonna get hired for WWE with a work ethic like that. Professional wrestling is an industry that requires you to work your ass off for very little pay if you want to actually get anywhere.

And you cannot legally deny a refund if work has not been completely. That, children, is what is calling theft and tends to be frowned upon. I like all the folks in the journal going,"Well, it's only $15!"

If it's "only" $15, why can't she refund you?

[gamedoge.livejournal.com]

I'm just very happy for the no name drop policy because of that journal. How many people think I'm horrible now because they didn't get the full story? @-@ And she knows I read her journals, why would you so blatantly make someone feel so badly? I don't understand the logic.

[the-spiner.livejournal.com]

I've been watching her for ages. I've had an issue before with her in the past - was in the same YCH bid with her, and she ended up hiding and retracting her bids.

But anyway, I'm honestly surprised this has taken as long as it has to get up there with that attitude of hers.

Context

[devonne (from livejournal.com)]

I actually know what was happening with this - And this is completely out of context as to what actually happened.
Kammy isn't actually at fault here, she's had a lot going on - makes that clear in updates and journals, updates everyone as often as she can bearing in mind everything with stress in worklife, eg losing her computer to a ridiculously bad virus, then losing SAI - Which she was asking if she could borrow someone elses so she could GET this specific commission done as well as others, she was then suspended for asking for SAI so she could get commissions done resulting in further delays. Plus her son was sick which OBVIOUSLY takes priority over work or something leisurely like art. If you had a child who was sick would you not take a day or two off work to make sure they're okay?
Come on now, have a sense of empathy? Really?

And the Notes themselves were not aggressive in anyway, I've heard them - If they come across as aggressive then that's how you've perceived it and now how they're intended.

She does great work, that's undeniable.

she would have had the commission done had all these problems not happened at the same time.
And to be perfectly honest, anyone who says they would put work before they're own child? Clearly hasn't got children of their own...

This "artists beware" has been posted completely one sidedly, and doesn't take into account all of the problems that came up within the website and personal life, nor does it take into account technical issues.

If you went to see a concert and there was a power outage would you still expect the band to play? No. You'd expect them to make time for another date where they can play the venue.

I really don't see how this works mainly because she even was suspended for a few days... which I don't see mentioned anywhere which she got suspended for asking for SAI so she could finish everyones work o.o

I know the situation personally and I see you put it in words to make people feel bad for you instead of the fact she had a broken SAI, Virus, THEN her computer was at Geek Squad to get fixed and when she got it back to log in she was suspended..

Her son was really sick we even heard him coughing up a lung in her streams which she had to AFK from a lot because she had to take care of him...

This whole thing I find unfair and unjustified. Not to mention that "aggressive journal" you refer to, that could have been about anyone. She had a few people questioning what was going on and explained it to them and they understood it fine. It seems it's only you who had a problem with it....

Re: Context

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

She's more than welcome to share her side. We have nothing in our rules that says she can't. However, I will note that "this is unjustified" toes very closely on our request not to argue if something is bewareable. Items are moderated and reviewed by us. We decided that this is bewareable.

With that said despite any personal issues she's having it does not excuse denying a refund and guilt tripping clients. All of us who do this job have personal lives. It's not our client's problem what happens to us barring catastrophic incidents. If it was "only $15" then she needs to issue the refund. No ifs and or buts about it. The concert may get canceled due to no electricity, but the band is liable for refunds and is committing theft otherwise. The same applies here. The client doesn't want the art. Give the refund. If one can't handle that, then this is not the business for them.

[✎mᴀɴᴅʏ mᴀᴜ (from livejournal.com)]

I also was wondering if this could be taken down due to the misunderstanding and it being 'resolved'? I am getting notes left and right about it and to be honest I'm kinda tired of explaining myself about this. xD Lol.

[lovelesskiax.livejournal.com]

Bewares do not get deleted, just a resolved tag.

[lovelesskiax.livejournal.com]

Really not helping me see a better side to Kammy with her posting the AB on her FA, really.
So many people insulting OP. :/ Not necessary at all.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

She can't really control how her fan base reacts. Whenever this happens most people tend to brown nose to get on the artist's good side. (Sorry, you're probably not going to get free art lol.)

[crazy-sharklady.livejournal.com]

The attitude alone was enough of a deterrent for me to never commission them, especially some of those folks that are defending her at the most littlest thing said.
I know she said in the journal regarding the article that she 'doesn't want to sound like a robot' but you don't exactly curse at your customers in /any/ sort of workplace.

[tyrano-tiggs.livejournal.com]

See, as a parent, I wanted to feel empathy with Kammy. I've been there when the choice comes to your work or your kid and my kid always wins.
But there's a way to handle these things. Being rational, polite and apologetic costs nothing.
The attitude from Kammy and her "friend" stinks. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Own up that you made a mistake and could have worded things better (not just to OP but regarding the other screenshot in here. "That's pretty fucked" is a horrid way to speak to an artist about their skills).

And when she explained her side and accepted some responsibility, I again, was leaning towards the side-eyeing but not blocking.
Sharing to FA, encouraging harassing comments by agreeing with them and making more drama over this than was necessary? You bet your ass you've been unwatched and blocked. Unprofessional, uncalled for and just disgraceful behaviour.

[maxx attax (from livejournal.com)]

Yes, exactly. Oh my gosh, like politeness goes SO far. You can't just disrespect people and have them go "well it's okay" because it isn't. :C

(frozen)

[✎mᴀɴᴅʏ mᴀᴜ (from livejournal.com)]

This situation has been solved. I don't get why people need to continue to comment on something that's been resolved.. I'm confused? I know I fucked up which I said sorry for multiple times.. I don't get why this is still a thing?

(frozen)

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

People generally trickle in for a few days afterwards as they come in and check their accounts.

However your journal certainly didn't help things where among other items said, were plenty of ill wishes against the OP ("get hit by a bus") and name calling.

[jane vakarian (from livejournal.com)]

seeing how this all panned out later on, is alarming.
I dont think ill ever do business with them.

[kattotang.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Despite this being "resolved", her reaction to the whole thing just made the idea of doing business with her even more off-putting.

[pikaapaws.livejournal.com]

Yikes...all the delay journals and the aggressive replies, what a nightmare! I'd be so embarrassed...No artist should make you feel their personal life is your responsibility. I know that commissions are a rather unconventional way of work, but it's work nonetheless and needs to be kept in a professional manner.

[lilteafox.livejournal.com]

I just had the same issue with this artist. she was very rude in a note and so i disputed it, she noted me with poor attitude saying that she needs food for her son and such, when the day before she posted a journal opening for commissions for SECOND LIFE currency, and there was at least 4+ people interested at $50-$60 dollars commission. I want to post a AB as well but I am very new here and still learning the site...

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

Howdy! If you're interested in making a beware please make sure you "join" the community first. The link is at the top of every page. Once you join the link will change to "post to community".

Here is our posting template. (http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/432731.html)
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