ITS A COMMISSION NO WAIT ITS A GIFT NO WAIT

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

A few months ago, someone I'm friendly with commissions me for a pair icons for them and their new S O. I was having art block (but made honest attempts. I have the sketches on my PC still!). I quoted them $5 per and they said they didn't even have that much, I let them pay me less (it ended up being $7 or $8). They don't have a paypal, so they get their lover to send it to me.

They break up like a week later and the person who I'm friendly with tells me to forget about it and to consider the money a gift. (which kinda struck me as odd since it wasn't THEIR money to begin with)

I sent my condolences and went about doing my business.

They send me a note now saying "HEEEEEEY REMEMBER THAT MONEY I SENT YOU A WHILE AGO?! Can you do me those icons for me and my new lover."

I said yes, mostly because I didn't wanna deal with the kid. They're kind of annoying when it comes to you owing them art. Like, they do the obnoxious frequent poke thing after it being like 3 days or something into the job.

But I'm kinda boned now since I agreed right? Haha. Just wanted to check in with you guys here.

Edit: I got a hold of the ex, gave them their money back and told the guy that going back on a 'gift' wasn't cool. Hands are clean and conscience is cleared. Thanks all! Plz to be marking as resolved :3

Comments

[teahound.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if they said to consider it a gift and you have proof? I'd just say, 'well you said it was a gift' and maybe offer to refund it if you don't want to do the icons. Since you were already underselling yourself, I wouldn't do them personally.

[raeraesama.livejournal.com]

Eh? Their ex paid for it and now they want a commission with their current SO? That's...kinda crappy and not something I'd want to get tangled in.

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

Well if you said yes then yeah, either stick with it or else refund (the original person who paid) (hahahaha)

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

I think I'm just gonna refund it, because on second thought that's really slimy what he's doing. :/

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

YEP. That's it in a nutshell. Sorry if it sounded confusing, I just really wanted to keep the identities of the person involved as vague as possible.

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

I still have all of my notes, so yep!

It's not worth my time tight now, especially since A. they were underpaid and B. I've got stuff backlogged and paid for MORE than the acutal value that I need to finish.

[tobekiyoshi.livejournal.com]

I was in the same exact situation. Like, it's scarily how similar, I wonder if I know said person. XD Good luck!

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

Well I'll be damned XD! Best of luck to you too.

[armaina.livejournal.com]

yeah really, if the money was his Ex's I would just refund them and tell them that you refunded them. If they want new icons they can pay for it, that is, if you're accepting commissions. Doesn't seem right to do it off their funds in the first place.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

I agree with refunding it. That's really.. tacky of them to do.

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

Then I'll probably refund the guy this week then or at least note the ex so I can see what they want (I know a refund will probably be in his best interest).

I'm currently closed for commissions. I took on a major job a few months ago that I'm taking my time with since I want it to look polished when I finish. And the guy paid well over the actual commission value, so I'm trying to make it worth his time.

[alcyione.livejournal.com]

Good idea. What that person is asking you to do is morally questionable. :/

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

The person in question is quite a bit of an artwhore (I hope that's not breaching the community rules), shamelessly at that too.

But I'll get in touch with the ex and ask them if there's any compensation or refunding I can do for him.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

I have trouble with people like that. They tend to be some of the worst offenders in how they treat artists and how much they value the effort put into it. They want everything quick, cheap, and then they get picky about it. Very entitled and obnoxious.

[techno4tomcats.livejournal.com]

Refund and wash your hands of it. Ech. Got involved with something like this and it got ugly fast.

[notveryathletic.livejournal.com]

Agree with the refund recommendations, best to wash your hands of it and it's not like it's a huge amount anyway...

[neive.livejournal.com]

So wait..they talked you down in price saying they didn't have enough, then had their then-partner pay for them instead? That alone is kinda "wth" worthy. D: Like a less-offensive scam to get cheaper commissions.

[puritikoneko.livejournal.com]

Oh wow...

That's definitely some nerve they've got there. I can't say as I'd be too pleased if I were put in the situation you are.

But I think I'd have to agree with the general consensus and refund the original sender and wash your hands of that commissioner altogether. @.@

[paradiseforlorn.livejournal.com]

I agree with what everyone said, with refunding and how really tactless this was. In a nutshell, it would be his ex paying for new icons for this guy's new lover.

Which would make it so this guy actually gets 2 free icons. Shady, tactless and just plain Ick.

Refund the ex, tell the current guy that you're too busy, and wash your hands of it.

You'll be better off for it.

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

They aren't the one who paid you so they reaaaally have no position to say that you owe them or anything. There shouldn't be a problem as long as you're not rude about it, just point out that they said it was a gift and that it wasn't their money anyway if they try to push the issue.

If needs be you could talk to their ex who DID pay you and see what they think about it.

[silvershinelion.livejournal.com]

Agreed with the refund comments + why.

If they give you a problem : You refunded the money to the person whose account sent it. That is the end of your responsibility and knowledge (aka any bawwing about how its 'their' money, you have no facts or involvement in, so it is not your responsibility).

The more they push, the more business-like you get. It shows you mean business and won't be walked on again. (And you can be business-like without being rude, it's just the rest of the world that thinks anything without smiley emotes and asspats is offensive elitist ranting.)

You gave them kindness, and now they're abusing it :/ If anything they could prolly pay for one icon with the money they sent you, since it wasn't the full amount in the first place (if you wanted to risk further involvement I mean, then I'd say have them pay the rest, get it done, and treat any further inquiry from them with caution.)

[thaily.livejournal.com]

If it wasn't their money to begin with, I wouldn't even be discussing this with anyone other than the original owner of said money.

[red-mess.livejournal.com]

Off topic, but Kayla_la, who made your icon, it's adorable!

[tea-lover84.livejournal.com]

Tell this manchild to take a hike; it's not his money and you're basically working pro gratis for him.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Teaparties (http://www.furaffinity.net/user/teaparties) did! Be wary about commissioning her though, it took her like a year or something to do this for me because she kept 'forgetting'. It was a bit of a frustrating experience.

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

I seriously HATE when people do that. Especially when it's sent as a donation and a month later they come wandering back and say "HAY REMEMBER DAT MONEY?!" Yah no. I'd show them proof of the 'gift' and tell em to screw off. :\

[tabernak.livejournal.com]

It's also ten bucks, and that's the most dick move to pull over ten bucks, haha

[tabernak.livejournal.com]

I'd just draw them, no big deal.

Going FORWARD, any time someone takes a business transaction and says it's a gift later, politely refuse the gift. Pretty good advice for any situation

[teahound.livejournal.com]

Normally I would too, but it wasn't them that paid - it was their ex.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

It's adorable, but it's what, 2 frames? How long could that take?

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

I think so. I love the icon SO MUCH, but I'm definitely not commissioning her again if getting a simple chibi icon is such a pain in the butt.