Am I being jerked around?

[kitkaze.livejournal.com]

I commissioned an artist in August of 09, but did not set a date on which I wanted the commission finished. At the time I had no rush for it, and the artist didn't have a queue. So the artist told me they'd have it done in a few days.

I was then informed in september, that they were experiencing computer difficulties, but would finish it soon. In october I emailed for a status update. I was informed then that they had other commissions they were working on. In december i asked for an update again, this time i was told they had added a lot more detail to the commission and I would be getting more then I paid for. 

Then in january, a reason emerged for me to finally have the commission completed, so I contacted them again, asking. They had told me I'd receive it that weekend 'probably'.

This month I've asked them for a date I can expect to see the completed commission, but I have not heard back as of yet.

I have still not heard from/seen anything from the artist, am I being jerked around? 

I've tried to keep this vague, as I do not wish to post specifics at this time.

EDIT: After finally getting a response from the artist, they have told me they will deliver the scanned art tomorrow. If this occurs I will consider this closed, if not I will post specifics. Thank you all for your advice. ^_^ 

EDIT EDIT: I can happily retract this post! ^_^ 

Comments

[baronyiffington.livejournal.com]

What is it you commissioned? The only info you gave was "artist", which could mean anything. You don't have to give details, but telling us if it's a drawing or something else would really help. I am, however, going to assume that it is a drawing - if it isn't, then disregard most of what I say.

First of all, you mention that they had no queue when you commissioned them, but that in October they were working on other commissions. Were these other commissions paid for after yours, and completed before yours? If so, that is a huge red flag right there.

Personally, it seems like you're just being jerked with right now. They keep giving excuse after excuse and are refusing to give a solid completion date.

Demand a completion date. Not a completion range, or a rough time, make it one single day. Don't be mean about it, but be very firm that you are tired of waiting.

If they refuse to give you a date (or don't make the deadline and can't show proof they have begun the work), I would request a refund. If it's a drawing, six months is plenty of time. If they refuse to cough up either the drawing or the refund, give us details and names and make it a formal warning.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Have you seen any sketches yet? If you haven't, you need to ask for a refund :/

[pixie-punch.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with the other comments. If they promised a few days, and now its turned into half a year, they need to show you some sort of screen cap of the work completed so far. If the commission hasn't even been started (which is what I think is happening) just request a refund. :<

[mialattia.livejournal.com]

My answer is yes, yes you are.

If you haven't seen ANY progress on it at all, even...

refund-demanding time.

[kitkaze.livejournal.com]

yes beg pardon, it is a drawing.

[maddogairpirate.livejournal.com]

In a word, yes. Perhaps that's not the artist's intent, to belittle you, but you are being jerked around.

Your commission, it sounds like, should have come before the others. Usually artists go by a queue of sorts. It's not unusual to work on #2 or #3 or something to mix it up, but the idea generally should be to get #1, which it sounds like yours, in gear. It sounds like your #1 got bumped down.

Did you pay? Whole thing, part thing? Usually partial makes it nice for the artist as there's always the carrot to keep going. Whole is messier. Sometimes artists see the money as earned and it's hard to motivate for the project. So I find, anyway.

At any rate, I always use the ballpark of 6 months to really get fed up, as that goes beyond bad circumstance, usually, and into don't-wanna for the artist. I'd try another time or two to get work done, point out it *has* been six months and you should've had it done by now. Ask for an upcoming date in the next few weeks to see solid progress on it. If he/she delivers, awesome, and set the next step together in the commission, and on and on.

If there are a dozen excuses or he/she disappears, that becomes a naming names thing, to me.

You've been more than patient.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Could you please remove the strikethrough code in the post? It's not necessary with the edits. Please leave the original text up, thank you!