What to do?

[purpledraco.livejournal.com]

Hello community,
I was wondering about something. I've commissioned an 8$ sketch almost 5 months ago, and I fear the artist won't actually come up with her part of the deal. I feel like I'm getting fobbed off with excuses every time I ask. I'm not being an obtrusive ass, but I guess it's not too much to pop a note her way once a month on the status. It's not a complex piece, and I've been told months ago that it was practically finished and only had to be digitalized. The artist has been posting other art (gift art, naughty, non-naughty) in the meantime that must definitely have been in line after my piece, or even on the side.
What can I do? I won't name names at this point, I'm just asking your honest opinion on this.

Update 08/22:
After a longer conversation via private notes, the artist has agreed get a snail-mail letter underway for the piece in the next few days. We'll see.

Update 12/28:
Snail-mail letter obviously failed because it got returned to the artist, BUT: I finally received a scan of the finished commission today! So yay. Took a long time, but got resolved after all :-)

Comments

[rogue1717.livejournal.com]

personally for 8 dollars, I'd just write it off.

[frisket17.livejournal.com]

While the amount may seem insigificant, the artist did agree to that.

If I were the artist in this situation, if a customer was concerned about not getting their work in a timely manner, I'd offer a refund (though if work has been done, just not finish, you agree to an amount to be taken out of the original commission fund and refund the rest)


I hope that made sense :)

[raethdragon.livejournal.com]

It's not just money, it's the principle of the thing. But you're right, in that I doubt Purple Dragon will see the money again. However, I think she should be named so that others can be aware of the shaky practices.

That's up to Purple though. :)

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

I'd let them know you plan to post them by name here if they don't finish it soon. Then post here, I like knowing who not to commission.

[frisket17.livejournal.com]

Be up front with them. While the amount invested isn't great, I do understand your concern. However do be honest with the person, as Skull mentioned, and simply tell them you either want a refund of the $8 (or less depending on how much work has been done on said images...) or a deadline to see the image done.

Remember always to be civil and most people will be civil in return. Just don't go at the artist with guns drawn and uppity -- it'll save drama in the long run :) (not saying you'd do that, but often seems a running theme with AB posts... Things coulda' been easily solved with a sit down and a talking to.)


If it has been this long, though, and they upload other things, there's a good chance they just burned out on the piece and felt like they got the short end of the stick and don't know how to tell you. Give them a way out would be my suggestion... A conclusion.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Yeah I wouldn't write off $8, even if it isn't much, you still have a contract.
I suggest you ask for a full refund, or a partial if she finally gives you the unfinished work she supposedly has so far. If she doesn't cooperate with that, air out the dirty laundry.

If she can't finish an $8 commission, who says she won't also fail to deliver an $80 one?

[growly.livejournal.com]

If you're getting antsy, I say ask for a refund. I've had no problem giving out refunds to people that have been waiting a long time. It bums me out I don't get to do the work, but if this artist is even somewhat responsible, she'll give you your money back or your art once you let her know how you feel.

[purpledraco.livejournal.com]

I went that route now and sent a last, still pretty calm reminder with a deadline. If the deadline isn't met, I have no problem posting the artist's name here, as well as demanding a full refund. As Skulldog above said, other people might also like to know who not to commission if they are looking to avoid hassle.

[anjel-kitty.livejournal.com]

I'd ask for a refund, since it is 8 dollars, and you can get a commission for that much from a more prompt artist on teenycom
I wouldn't expect to get a complex sketch piece for that little bit of money. I think the artist probably got in over their head and now doesn't want to do because they realize they are underselling themselves. Usually sketch pieces with back grounds that are "complex" are going to run you around >20. But at this point it is Nothing or the refund so you can be done with the artist and maybe put the money to an icon or another commission.

[maddogairpirate.livejournal.com]

My rule of thumb on any art piece is usually that the 6 month mark is unacceptable. You're quickly approaching it.

I'd ask nicely, point out how 5 months is a very long time and ask where you are in her queue for her to get it done.

And, if a month from now it's not done, post to A_B after letting her know you're tired of excuses.

[aerotheacrobat.livejournal.com]

I've waited for over a year for more than one artist in the past (waiting for one currently for that long). As an artist myself I know that is NOT okay, but I'm too nice. It's best to get it resolved sooner rather than later. For a sketch, that is way too long.

[gymnopedie.livejournal.com]

man... people here would flip out if they commissioned me. if it takes me a month, I'd be worried I was going too slow :S

8 bucks is 8 bucks (that's like a full meal at wendy's). Foot down, point them to this post here and ask when they can have it done by or a refund when that deadline passes.

I known a lot of artists that NEED to have deadlines (I always ask for one) otherwise they sit on it for months and months :(

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

5 months is way too long for a sketch, I do mine in under a week and that's with getting feedback from the client (unless they're unusually tardy about telling me what to change).

At this point I'd be asking for a refund because you have not received the art within a reasonably timely manner, there are far more reliable artists you could commission. If the person refuses to refund, then post about them here.

[midnightfury.livejournal.com]

I would ask for a refund. But after a trying for that a couple times, I'd just write it off, personally.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Was this ever resolved?

Yay

[purpledraco.livejournal.com]

Actually, I finally received the finished piece today.