BEWARE: Z-flesh

[tinyforestprinc.livejournal.com]

WHO: Z-flesh on deviantart

WHERE: http://z-flesh.deviantart.com/

WHAT: A digital icon commission paid via paypal.

WHEN: January 4th 2017

EXPLAIN: So I had posted a journal on deviantart asking if anybody could make me an icon for $1 or so I could use on tumblr of a video game character I really like. The game is somewhat unknown, so I cant find any free to use icons and I wouldn't feel right using somebodies artwork without asking, not that I could even find fanart of them.
Z-flesh had commented saying they were willing to do it. After showing me examples we agreed on the price of $1.50 for the icon and they had noted me with the email. Fast forward to January 24th. I have gotten no word at all about the progress of my icon and I was getting a bit worried. So I noted Z-flesh and was told they have a messy sketch done and thats it. They made the excuse that they "lost the note" for why they never contacted me but deviantart has a feature where you can star important notes, and I gently told them to perhaps do so incase it happens again. I also asked to see said sketch, and they never replied to me.
I checked their "who I owe" journal and found I was not on it. It is now March 3rd and I decided to contact them again and they, once again, used they excuse that they couldn't find me (despite me telling them to star my note). They said its finished and that they'll post it when they get home from school, but I'm a bit skeptical and feel that they'll 'forget' to do it again.
I will update if they actually post it or not, but either way, very unprofessional. I feel it is not my duty as the buyer to continue contacting and hassling them to finish my art, and they should of taken steps to finish it, let alone remember who I am. Even if they do post the icon, i'm leaving this up to warn others. I also feel the need to add, in the time span they were suppose to be doing my art (and owed nobody else) They had posted multiple ych's and accepted other commissions.

PROOF:
NOTE: My deviantart is tiny-forest-prince. So that is me.
Them offering to do the work and providing examples

Them sending me their email and me confirming I sent it.


Me asking for an update and them just...never replying.

Their to do list, which does not have me on it.

me messaging them today (March 3rd) and asking if it was done, and them telling me it is but 'wont be uploading it today'


The suspicious amount of hidden comments on their gallery (just extra. Makes me suspect somebody else perhaps didn't get their art)

even more hidden comments on their commission journal

take it as you will. I'm just not very happy about this.

EDIT: so they posted the commission...After all that time...and after me giving them a link to what the character looks like AND giving extra info on how i want them to look...they managed to draw the complete wrong character from a different game in the franchise... i'm a bit exhausted.

EDIT2: So after being told I should, I made myself ask them to redraw it or give me a refund.
me doing so with help of a template I was given

so lets see where this goes I suppose. I'll update when they reply. if they even do.

EDIT 3: so they've replied with this and claim the character they drew is the one I wanted... now I just feel like I'm being picky. I mean.. to me, as an avid lover of the video game and it being my favourite game, It looks nothing like the character. I cant tell if its just me being overly precise and picky or if it really doesn't look right. I'd appreciate some help. This is the character I wanted (specifically asked for them to have a pony tail or hair bun due to his long hair) Close up of his face/hair and this is what they drew Am I being picky or does it really look nothing like what I asked for? to me it looks more like the MC of the third game, which is this guy. Either way, they still didn't even offer to re-draw or edit it, just said it was what I asked for.

Comments

[tinyforestprinc.livejournal.com]

I understand, but please understand I do not think I can force myself to tell them. When I say I am anxious.. I am not lying. I have generalized anxiety which I have to take excessive medication for, and confrontation is... hard. I don't think I can force myself to tell them to re-make it. If others think I should then I may try but... I dont really fancy having a panic attack yaknow?

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Hi! I understand you have anxiety, so we decided on a compromise. You can either tell them to do the correct character in more clear terms, or you can choose to save yourself the trouble/anxiety and accept the icon as it is.

If you choose to go with the first option and it's resolved, we'll mark the post resolved as we do. If you choose to go with the second option, that's okay, but we'll remove the Beware tag.

Ultimately, to be fair to the artist, they need a chance to resolve the issue, so we think this is fair. Let us know what you'd like to do!

[tinyforestprinc.livejournal.com]

i mean..I dont feel its fair to remove the beware tag since the actual post is about their poor communication and lack of contact. But I guess i'll try to tell them? I dont know how to word it though and it makes me horribly anxious thinking they might straight up deny me or worse.. I feel like me telling them the character was wrong should be enough, just because I was kind about it doesn't mean I liked it yaknow? it is cute, its just not correct. Iunno, maybe im just bad at social cues or something. If its really so important that I tell them then i'd appreciate some help to try and figure out what to say to them without it sounding like im mad

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

If they deny you a refund or a redo, that just validates your beware on them, don't you think?

But at the end of the day, we're here to try and get a resolution for those who post here. I know its hard, but once you do it the ball is in their court.

"While the icon itself is very nice. It still is the wrong character so I was wondering if I could get a redraw of the icon to Sparrow.

I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!"

[tinyforestprinc.livejournal.com]

ahh alright.. i'll go paste that to them and try not to panic too much. Hopefully they dont respond rudely.. I have a feeling that they will say they'll redraw it but just wont. Will it remain "unresolved" until they complete the correct drawing? I've never actually posted here so im not sure how it works.

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

Please do not do it publicly. I was about to add that in when you replied. At this point it really needs to be kept between the two of you.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

The problem with your original statement is simply that it makes it sound like you're accepting the icon as it is even though you mention it's the wrong character.

I would send them a private note vs. another public comment, as they're more likely to be defensive if they feel like they're being embarrassed publicly. Simply ask them politely if they would be willing to do the icon you actually paid for. If they say no or don't do it, you don't lose anything you haven't already lost, and will definitely merit the beware tag.

If it helps, you can use this:

"Hi! I wanted to note you to ask if it would be possible for you to redo the icon to be what I originally asked and paid for (insert references to character you wanted here). The icon you did do is nice, but it isn't what I asked for. If you would rather not, I would take a refund of the 1.50 to (your paypal account). Just let me know!"

[tinyforestprinc.livejournal.com]

ah, thank you.. I'm glad people here are understanding how nerve wracking it can be. I'm just really scared they'll get mad at me, but I'll try noting them. At least through notes if they're rude, they're kept and I can add it.