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[ichigoneko33.livejournal.com]

Edit

I have taken kappyjeanne's advice and given him a deadline to get back to me. After that, I'll just continue on and finish the commission with ought approval. Thank you for the advice! 

This is more of an advice post then a beware.

On march 17th, someone commissioned me for a flat colored image. I got paid shortly after and all was good. I sent them the sketch, got that approved. Then I sent off the inks a week ago. Wondering what was up, I went to check their FA page to see if they've been active. Since some people simply forget to check they're email, which is what I use to communicate with commissioners.

Well, I found a journal stating they were moving and might disappear for 7 months time. I have to be honest, I'm pretty ticked that they wouldn't let me know this at all. Now I can't work on the commission (as I only work with approval firs) and I don't really like the idea of keeping it for months. Especially since by that time, my style will surely change, as well as the quality and I'd not feel too good working on it anymore.

Any idea what I should do? Would it be better to refund them, or just wait t'ill they come back? There's also the options of just finishing it with ought approval, but I've always worked with getting approval at each stage, so I don't know if it'd be wrong of me to go against that randomly.

Comments

[teahound.livejournal.com]

I'd see what they prefer if you can - just say 'hey, since I work on an approval-based system, which of these options works best for you?' and lay out the options you listed here. If you don't hear back from 'em in a while, you can always just refund them with a note explaining what you explained here. That you prefer not to keep unfinished work lying around for 7 months because your style is likely to change and ultimately you just want them to be happy, and that they're free to re-commission you when their life is settled if they still want to.

[ichigoneko33.livejournal.com]

Problem is, it seems they won't be around at all for the 7 months. It's because they won't be getting net. It's possible they might, so I'd keep a look out at their page, but it doesn't seem so.

But thank you, I'll try doing that C:

[kiriska.livejournal.com]

I would just refund them and explain. If they're still interested whenever they get settled, they can contact you again.

Personally, I have it in my TOS that if a commissioner doesn't reply in a timely manner (two weeks or less) at any point during the commission process, I reserve the right to cancel.

[suewithers.livejournal.com]

I'd honestly refund the difference between a sketch commission and a flat and call it delivered.

[ichigoneko33.livejournal.com]

I actually did the inks, not just the sketch. You think I should only keep part of the payment for the sketch instead? (Just making sure)

[taasla.livejournal.com]

I would refund the difference between inks and flats. You're the artist. You have the right to cancel a commission at any time.

[suewithers.livejournal.com]

Sorry, missed the part about the inks. I'd say then refund the difference between the inks and the flat. The rest is work rendered.

[kappyjeanne.livejournal.com]

Just an alternate idea to throw in with the others that have been mentioned... You can always let him know that you will be going ahead with the flat colours if you don't get a response within a certain date.

Some people think their verification is needed only for the sketch process, (I've had many clientele wonder why I wait on ink approvals) and this could have been why he didn't inform you ahead of time. This could be one way to compromise at least, without compromising the art quality and completion time.

[ichigoneko33.livejournal.com]

That's true. I've had a couple people not know that they need to reply. Even when they give me a good reason though, I just can't ever understand why I wouldn't want a reply if I sent it.

But! I think I may be going with this idea after I try some. It would be a waste to just not finish it and refund.

[kappyjeanne.livejournal.com]

If you do go ahead with it, you could always offer edits as well if the file is digital. That is, if they request them :)