(no subject)

[quaidezmaster.livejournal.com]

I hope this doesn't come off as a ridiculous post but, I've never really dealt with something like this before, so I'm curious as to get other people's opinion about this (since I'm still pretty new to getting commissions).
Yesterday someone posted a journal about how they're in a dire financial situation and how they can't find a job. They also mention how they're borrowing money in order to stay afloat.
Today they've sent me a note asking me for a commission. Now, I don't know how what type of commission he wants and my work ranges from $5-$25.
I'm wondering, should I not accept a commission from someone who has already mentioned that they're financially unstable?

This does not seem like the Allan incidents, since said person is not taking donations from anyone. So, while I don't know if they're making up the story for attention, I can assume that they're at least not making it up to get money.

Also, they've had a pretty good history of giving me payment, so I'm not really so much worried about getting payment so much as I don't want to enable a bad financial situation to get worse.

Note- Apologies for the lack of tag. For some reason, LJ isn't allowing me to add tags to the entry for some reason. :/

Comments

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

We who approve your posts do the tagging for you.

[quaidezmaster.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry about that. This is the first time I've ever made a post here.

[bonegrind.livejournal.com]

In my own opinion I would. I think its kind of shallow of them if they are using the money that's supposedly for a dire situation, but that really isn't your problem.
If you don't feel comfortable with it you could tell him you're busy with other commissions.

[glowstick-juice.livejournal.com]

At the end of the day, it's the customer's money to do with what he will. Gas stations don't turn down lotto ticket sales to people down on their luck.

I vote for taking the commission.

[lobotomysoup.livejournal.com]

we want to though, I'll tell you what.

[stormslegacy.livejournal.com]

If it were like, a $50 dollar commission I *might* be concerned but a 5 dollar one isn't going to break the bank in horrific ways even if you are broke. Journals are a venting kind of thing, so it might not be *quite* as bad as it sounds. You never know, someone could have given the money or be giving them the money as a gift.

Personally, I don't concern myself with my customer's personal lives..I accept money upfront so I don't have to worry about payment. Their problem = their concern.

[onfourwejump.livejournal.com]

This.

Right now I'm the only one working in my household and things are TIGHT. But occasionally, I'll have $5-15 lying around that doesn't need to go towards anything, and I'll check teenycom to see if I see a commission I like. Living in a household where you barely get by is TOUGH, and sometimes it's nice to just treat yourself once in a while. It also makes you feel like things are a little more under control since you can afford something for yourself now and again.

[lurkerwisp.livejournal.com]

This. If it weren't for occasional small treats the stress would really be awful.

[grygon.livejournal.com]

Just make sure you get some money before sending in any work. I usually send a fuzzy pic to non-payers, then larger scans or pics once I see money. It does seem fishy that they're advertising for a dire situation and then turning around and buying art, but it's their money to do with as they see fit I suppose?

[grygon.livejournal.com]

Forgot to add- if they were accepting DONATIONS, it would be a whole other ball game for me and I'd say I was busy with other art at the moment. But as you said they did work for that money... so it is theirs to do with as they choose.

[baronyiffington.livejournal.com]

Depends on the situation.

As long as the person isn't pulling an Allan (taking donations then flipping around and using them to buy porn), then I don't see a problem.

[kurenaipaladin.livejournal.com]

It is not YOUR responsibility to look after the finances of another. You do not truly know what his or her financial situation is. He could be saying that to get some pity from friends, you don't know.

Bottom line, you are there to do your job and if it is a person you are comfortable working with, do it.

[lovegonnadrown.livejournal.com]

Personally I wouldn't knowingly accept money from someone who has admitted to having money problems, but that's just me and in the end it's really up to you. If you do take the commission on you should do what grygon suggested and not send any work until you get paid.

[mandyseley.livejournal.com]

If you decide to take the commission, then that's fair. What they do with their money is their responsibility, and it's not your job to monitor their personal financial situation. If they can pay you, that's all that you need to know: This is a business transaction, not a counseling session.

If you decide not to take the commission, that's fair too. You are not obligated to accept any commission that comes your way, and you don't even have to give a reason for turning someone down. If for ANY reason you're uncomfortable with it, you can tell them "no."

So the way I see it, this is really up to you, and what you're personally comfortable with. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules for what "needs" to be done here.

[chronidu.livejournal.com]

Pretty much this to a T.

[chronidu.livejournal.com]

I would point to there journals asking for money in response, and ask them about it.

In all honesty it truly isn't you're responsibility, but it's completely possible the person is over dramatic and exaggerating. Regardless it's your choice whether you take the money for it or not.

[myenia.livejournal.com]

This is something I've struggled with as well, as I have people send me messages saying "I really shouldn't spend the money/I really don't have any money, but I'm going to buy this anyway because I want it."

My response is "I'd rather you are in a better financial situation first and then commission me. You will be more likely to be happy with it because you won't regret spending the money." But, in the end they are adults and it is THEIR money.

I think its important though to say SOMETHING. After all, a commissioner who shouldn't spend money may later regret it or feel resentment towards you and the commission. I would always encourage a commissioner to be financially comfortable (whatever that means to them) before commissioning me, even if I need it pretty badly.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Are you sure they're not just saying that to you in hopes you'll feel sorry for them and bring down the price?

[myenia.livejournal.com]

Its irrelevant because this post is about to handle it when people DO have legitimate financial problems, not whether or not there may be an alterior motive. They can say whatever the hell they want, I'm not so good about feeling sorry for people. The "why" is irrelevant if I've never dropped a price over it.

My post was about the resentment and dissatisfaction a commissioner who DOES have financial issues may have towards a commission that they shouldn't have gotten. It can put you in a bad position and its best to first confirm with them before taking it.

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

Like you said your omissions range from $5 - $25. If he's looking at the $5 - $10 range I wouldn't really freak out. I mean think of it like someone going out and buying a pack of soda. You don't need soda to live yet some people will buy it even if they have financial troubles. Now if he's looking at the $25 end of your commission hierarchy, I wouldn't refuse him but I might not commission him for anything because maybe his commissions are a scam.

Either way you can't tell him how to use his money. Maybe he's managed a budget so everything is paid off and he's got $___ around to commission you with when he broke it down. It's his money after all and you don't really have an obligation to tell him what to do with his money no matter how potentially irresponsible/scammy he is with it.

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

Oh I thought I'd add (ahaha almost bedtime whee's my brain) that if they were taking donations instead of solely commissions, I would be hesitant to take any money from them since the situation seems more desperate and the rate of potential money flake out loss rises. Since he doesn't seem in a position that he needs a hand out, I'd assume there's a budget/another source of income besides commissions around. Now if it were a donation, I'd suggest you talk to him about the journals and such and if he really wants to do this commission or maybe just decline depending on how he was coming off.

[lobotomysoup.livejournal.com]

I know there are plenty of people that when they are down will try to buy a small pick me up to help them. It isn't always the best idea, but when you're hurting on cash it can help mentally.
Just at the end of the day, it doesn't lol

[blackberrypie.livejournal.com]

I've done this. I shouldn't get things but when I'm upset and I need a pick me up and I have 5$ laying around on paypal I'll go on TeenyCom and get something to make me smile. I know I shouldn't but I do it anyways because it makes me happy. But all in all its their choice to spend it. :)

[lobotomysoup.livejournal.com]

Limiting yourself is the best idea with it. Planning ahead.
I was really bad in the past, put myself in debt :C

[blackberrypie.livejournal.com]

Yeah I've been limiting myself to at most 2 5$ things a month or less. XD

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

All up to you whether you take it or not: This is where that whole, pesky consumer vs. morality portion of our ethics courses comes back to haunt us. Money is king in artist's line of work- besides, who are you to dictate how they waste their crap? Besides, if they need to be looked after like an infant, I think that one artist trying to be kind won't go very far- they'll probably go somewhere else.
Frankly, I'd say- at the end of the day, you'll have more money in your pocket. So go for it.

[ninykinin.livejournal.com]

If it was $30+ I would refuse to do it. I don't desperately need the money, and they don't desperately need the art, so I'd rather not have the guilt of accepting money from someone who has more important things to deal with.

However, this is only $5-$10. I don't approve of the person buying art when they are financially unstable, but $5 isn't much. Anyone can afford that.
Just make sure that they understand that the art is non-refundable.
I had a girl (Sue Parsons) commission me a while back. She sent me the money from one paypal address (was not linked to her name), and later asked me to refund it to a different address(was linked to her name). I strongly suspect that the account she sent the money from was not her own. In the end she made a $15 profit and still got the sketch from me.

If you feel uneasy about the money thing, maybe you could consider doing it as a trade instead?

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

If they're in dire need of relief (financial, emotional, etc) a little splurging won't do any harm, in fact it may cheer them up. I've done it as a pick me up sometimes (I really need to take teenycom off my "watch" list). But as most have said, $5-$10? Ehhh, not TOO big of a deal. But any more and it just becomes a huge stink.

I know one person was like "Bawww, I can't afford insurance. Emergency commissions open!" and someone generous donated a good chunk of money (I'm unsure of the amount. Probably in the $25-$75 range) and not even a week later I see him commissioning others (myself included) and I've yet to see art for them from him :/

[onfourwejump.livejournal.com]

Hahah fucking teenycom. I'D HAVE SO MUCH MORE POCKET MONEY IF IT WASN'T FOR THOSE CHEAP BASTARDS!!!

[frazzled-niya.livejournal.com]

it can do harm...If you are like me when I'm depressed and buy something to make yourself feel better and then feel crappy about buying something you shouldn't have and buy another thing...etc nice big ol' vicious circle.

[pixie-punch.livejournal.com]

I agree with the general sentiment of it not being your responsibility to police them. I would also feel bad, and would probably try to talk them out of something expensive. However, if they're intent on getting a piece of art, they're going to get it regardless of what you say and just go to another artist. You're probably not going to be of any help by turning it down, and might do more good by just giving them a REALLY well made commission as a pick me up.

I know this may sound silly (and down right nutty), but when I have commissioners who seem down...I try to put as much positive energy as I can mentally into the art so that it'll transfer to them when they receive it. It ends up giving me lots of really grateful replies, even if they don't know what I did that was different.

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

For me it would depend on how well you know the person, if you're confident that you know them well enough (ie you're friends), you might want to explain your concerns to them.

If you don't know them well though? Well at the end of the day it's up to you if you want to take the commission or not, it's not your job to police the finances of a stranger, they are presumably an adult and therefore can decide for themselves if they can afford to spend the money.

[keeperofdreams.livejournal.com]

I feel if they're in enough dire straights that they need donations, getting art of anything should be their last concern.

I've been there. Hell, in this economy I'm still sometimes there. And when it comes down between keeping a roof over my head/food in my belly or frivolous purchases, 9 times out of 10 I'm gonna go with the item needed to survive.

If they get back on their feet, splurge. If not, well, art's most likely the last thing they need, mood lifter or not.

But I'm harsh so have this grain of salt and 2 pennies.

[lozpie.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't think it was any of my business, honestly. :x

off topic, your icon is terrifying!

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

I had a situation similar to this recently. A customer agreed to a commission with me and was going to pay in installments. I was not going to begin the work until after the first payment was made.

A week after the deadline the first partial payment was supposed to be made went by and I still hadn't received the money so I told them I was going to cancel the slot. They responded with some hard-luck story about how they could hardly pay their bills etc. Which made me think, if you can barely keep yourself afloat why try to buy art? It's a frivolous thing that doesn't really matter. Necessities come first, and if they didn't have the funds to pay why try to commission me in the first place? The mind boggles.

I wanted to respond to them saying that if their financial situation is so bad that me cancelling the commission was probably in their best interests and hopefully we could do business in the future but I thought that would come off as too patronising. =/ Either way it was awkward all round.

I can't really advise you on what position to take because I'm torn. It's a matter of personal ethics I suppose. If you wouldnt feel bad taking money from them and if it's an inexpensive transaction, go for it. If it's a higher-end one and you feel the need to question it, then explain to them you feel uncomfortable about it since they are borrowing from people etc.

[fyphfoko.livejournal.com]

take it so long as they pay up front

for all you know, they could have come into some money, or they could be splashing out a little for morral

[frazzled-niya.livejournal.com]

Hontestly I have hit some money problems and I've been having trouble knuckling down with budgets. I know this and I've paid for it. If they are dire in need of money that $5 shouldn't be spent.

But I do agree with what other people have said. It isn't your responsibility what people do with their money. If it's not you it's someone else or something else....If you do accept take the money straight up.

Either way it's up to you, you have to feel comfortable with what you decide on.