Need Some Advice/Community's Opinion

[kayla-na.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of having this dilemma atm. I've commissioned an artist back in March of this year for a quick art piece. I've commissioned said artist before, and never really had a problem with them before on terms of business. This latest commission though, I've been waiting for a while. Like, two months. And I didn't see my name on their que list. So in May, I poked the artist and inquired about an update about my commission. My note was read on FA, but I got no reply for like a week.

After a week, I poked them again, asking if everything is ok, and that I asked again about my commission. They said stuff was going on in their personal life, and that they were working on it. Ok, no big deal. I know that life throws curve balls, but keeping your customers in the dark for two months makes one kind of worry.

My name gets added on their que list finally, and I just gave them space. Haven't seen any sort of update for another month, but said artist was apparently updating their tumblr, and they accepted another round of commissions when I saw no sort of progress on mine (Like, I didn't see anything/proof that mine was being worked on).

So, I kind of just got fed up after this point, and politely asked for my money back, because with the stuff going on in her personal life, and the lack of updates, I just wanted to cut my loss of time and just take my business elsewhere with my refunded money. She read my note, didn't reply, but two days later, my commission suddenly shows up in her gallery.

It's not what I originally wanted, but I didn't specify clearly after rechecking my description (I wanted my character clothed, and sent her drawings of him in clothes in the original journal, but I sent another ref I forgot of my character in notes as well). My fault on this part commission description-wise, but I wanted my money back, I didn't even care about the art anymore.

Anyways, I'm asking the community if it's worth bringing this up to the artist about the whole not refunding, and immediately doing the commission after I asked for my money back, or just move on or..something. I'm a little frustrated at this point.

Comments

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd call them out on it. Regardless if they had done what I wanted or not. Nothing irks me more than people who skirt a client's request for a refund by quickly finishing the piece. Once a client has asked for a refund the commission should cease immediately. If work has already started be honest and up front about it, but not this. It's shady.

[kayla-na.livejournal.com]

It sucks because I really like this person's art, but this last transaction has left kind of a bitter taste in my mouth in how the transaction was handled. I wouldn't even know where to begin with speaking to them.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

Just a heads up your post is f-locked! If you want more visibility you can make it public.

[kayla-na.livejournal.com]

Oh, derp, how do I do that? >_

[kayla-na.livejournal.com]

nvm I think I found it. Not used to LJ

[fromeyo.livejournal.com]

I say post a beware. They clearly only did your commission because you wanted a refund-If you didn't request it I no doubt believe that they would have continued to string you along.

[jebboy.livejournal.com]

The fact they didn't reply to you after reading and just finished the commission you didn't want anymore is pretty shitty.
Like yeah they did the work you paid for,but only after complete silence and you not wanting it anymore. And to be honest I think it is their mistake that your character isn't in clothes. They didn't check up with you or send any WIPs to be approved. Just did it the moment you wanted your money back.

[timelapsedecay.livejournal.com]

What a dishonest thing to do! In your shoes, I would probably continue to pursue a refund, and based on the "forced" art and bad communication, would write a beware whether I got that refund or not. That's pretty unacceptable business practices in my eyes. I *suppose* it's possible that they could argue they read it after the image was finished, and was just late in posting it, but the fact that they waited two dang days with no reply really makes that excuse too suspicious to believe. I'm inclined to think they didn't respond because they wanted to just skip the difficulty of working out a refund with you and just "force" you to accept the art.

[hunty belmnt (from livejournal.com)]

I can't comment without breaking the rules as far as the artist's work ethic. Post a beware.

[aerospiritual.livejournal.com]

I... had something very similar happen to me as well and I've been trying to figure out how to go from this point onward. =/

It's pretty dishonest, imho, and I don't like the idea that some people think they can get away with this kind of action.

[kayla-na.livejournal.com]

Thanks,everyone for your opinions. I was also encouraged by a friend to go ahead and write a beware, so I went ahead and just did it. It's something I really don't want to do but I feel like it must be done.

[kupoming.livejournal.com]

I don't usually comment here, but this is just upsetting and even insulting.

I think I know who the artist is, and I have to say what they did is completely disrespectful. They clearly ignored you. It's not only unprofessional, but unacceptable (not to mention selfish). It's extremely frustrating that they chose to keep your money at the expense of your satisfaction and trust.

I too admired this artist and considered commissioning them at some point, but if this is how they treat their clients then I'm extremely disappointed with them.

I'm sorry you had to deal with this :(

Edit: Ack accidentally replied to your comment instead of leaving my own. Can you tell I don't use LJ? Lol >

[hunty belmnt (from livejournal.com)]

I can't comment without breaking the rules as far as the artist's work ethic. Post a beware.