Artist: DCrabbit

[rockin-rizon.livejournal.com]

This is actually my first time posting here (and hopefully my last). I really hate resorting to this, as I am the type of guy not to want anything bad happen to them. However, this has gone on too long and something needs to be done once and for all.

WHO: DCRabbit

WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/dcrabbit/

WHAT: A commission drawing featuring his female character Busty, my character (Rockin), and Doral's character. (It was a NSFW type of commission)

WHEN:  We spoke about it last year on Feb. 15, as well as paid for it on that said day. He said the payment was 40 dollars. i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/RockinTH2009/DCProof.jpg

EXPLAIN:  I have asked DCRabbit one day to please make a commission (Remember, it was a NSFW type of art commission), due to the fact I was a bit intrigued of his art style and how he drew some of the characters. Once the payment was made, I began my wait.

Normally, when it comes to commissions, I'm fairly patient as long as I know there's been some progress made. I can be understanding if a situation on their side arose, as everyone should deal with their life problem before worrying about their customers. I feel I should give the artist the same type of respect I should expect them to give to me.

Two months have passed and I decided to prod him slightly, wondering if he has done any progress. I was actually able to get a response from him (he explained he got a bit of black mold poisoning at his place, and thus why commissions were going a bit slow). I understood and let him be. I've also been told that he said he'll work on it as soon as he can.

I've soon noticed that it seems, from certain times, he has some sort of illness on him. I figured it wasn't too serious, seeing as he still draws from time to time (and has been doing commissions with no problem. I decided to just relax and see how things go.

On June, a few weeks before Anthrocon 10 , I gave him a prod wondering if my commission was done. Sadly, I didn't get a response. However, I was thrilled to see DCrabbit in person at an artist alley table (this all happened on friday, mind you). I asked him in person if the commission was done, and he said it was! There was only one problem: my commission was in his car, and he forgot it. He said he'd give it to me tomorrow. Next day, saturday, I arrive at his table again and....he explained he forgot the commission in his car...and that he'd give to me on sunday for sure. Sunday comes...and I don't even see the guy. I wondered what happened to him, and I don't believe I remember anyone telling me what happen.

When I got home on Sunday, I saw this on his journal http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1508489/ Turns out his body starts to fail on him and he bails out of the con so as to make himself feel better. I'm glad that he was alright, at least.

At this point, I began to question myself towards the artist. There has been no proof of any effort done whatsoever on my art, and I keep being dodged from time and time again. I know he's not feeling well, but jesus! It was at that point I began prodding him more and more about the art

i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/RockinTH2009/DCProof2.jpg

Every.

i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/RockinTH2009/DCProof3.jpg

Single.

i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/RockinTH2009/DCProof4-1.jpg

Time.

i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/RockinTH2009/DCProof5.jpg

But there has been no answer from him through these notes whatsoever. I even tried posting on his page in regards to him to look at his PM, but there has been no answer for the past week. I've been waiting a year and a half on a commission that probably hasn't even been drawn yet., and it's irritating.

I didn't want to have to resort to this, due to his condition and all, but something has to be done...=/

 EDIT1: Okay, someone suggested I look through the info of his address on Paypal so I can make a small claim case on him. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it (not sure if I'm doing this right. I went to the transaction log and don't seem to find his info), Even now, I send him notes and he doesn't seem to respond to them (while at the same time, updating his journals). There's a fair chance I'll see him this year at Anthrocon 11.

My only question is what to do from that point WITHOUT making a big ruckus out of it? I don't care whether he gives me a refund or if he gives me the picture at this point. I just want it done and done.

Comments

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

Sick or not, by looking at his page I can see that he's scanned and uploaded artwork in the last month. So really there's no excuse for him not to have scanned it then if it as he claims is already done.

I presume you used paypal? And the payment was from a credit card it seems, contact your credit card company and explain to them that you paid for something and haven't received it, while paypal has only a limited window for disputes, credit card companies can demand the money back for far longer. I would dispute it, you paid for artwork and have not received it or any proof that it has actually been done, you're entitled to receive it or your money back.

If the credit card company gives you no joy, you can take him to small claims court by sending him a registered letter detailing that you expect a refund or the art by X date (X date should be a reasonable time away) Keep a copy for yourself and if he does not provide either than file a small claims case against him, the court clerks at the small claims court should be able to give you the paperwork. Either way, good luck.

[rockin-rizon.livejournal.com]

Yes, I used paypal.

Technically, it was a debit card that was charged as a credit, but eh lol. Unfortunately, I closed down my debit Chase card account three weeks ago, due to a issue I had with them (it was understandable, and it was resolved), so I can't turn to them to fix the issue. I can try the small claims idea if needed. Gonna need to speak to my grandmother about that one.

How would I get the address if he can't even respond to a Note, though?

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

Check your paypal, you may find it there in the original transaction.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

If he can do any art at all, he can do your art.

I'm someone who gets sick a lot. A LOT. I'm pretty much constantly tired and run down, and I've always been this way. So what I do is only take one, maybe two commissions at a time, and work on them any chance I get. Just finished one yesterday morning when I woke up and wasn't feeling too bad, even. And if I'm particularly bad off, I just don't take them fullstop.

He's yanking your chain, even if all these times he's sick are legit. If he's too sick to work, he should refund.

[silverfalln.livejournal.com]

I get run into the ground a lot too. I don't take payment until the work is done, because I know how my health is, and I have a very physically stressful job (even the easy ones make me feel like crap).

I'd keep on his ass, and, as said above, go to your credit card company if you have to to get your money back. :/

Good luck.

[mel-the-hybrid.livejournal.com]

Ok, let me just say, I'm glad that you took my advice, and decided to make a beware post after you've told me your situation.

Again, as I mentioned before, it sounds like he's giving you the run around. I would feel a little differently if he actually sent you a WIP of your commission, and is just REALLY slow on his part (Usually a sit down polite talk with an artist and asking why something is taking so long motivates them to finish your piece).

A year, I'm not sure if Paypal will dispute transactions that happened over a year ago (I think 45 days is the max), so you could probably take the claim elsewhere to a small court that deals with issues like this.

[rockin-rizon.livejournal.com]

Yeah Mel, thanks for telling me.

I really hate using this method. As I explain to you before, I dislike putting people in a bad position, especially if they're not physically well. But eh...it has to be done.

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

It's been too long for Paypal to do a chargeback, but you should still report him to Paypal. Even if they can't help you immediately they sometimes do take action if they get enough complaints against an account.

[rockin-rizon.livejournal.com]

How do I report to him, actually on paypal? (sorry it's been late).

A Year

[dynesolweaver.livejournal.com]

I had a commission from him and it took almost a year to complete(Nov 08-Oct 09), but he never mailed it. I kept on for 7 Months for him to mail it and it was I'll do it Monday or next week etc. He uploaded it to his gallery, so I know it's done; but I never got it. At the end his attitude became dismissive as though he didn't care about whether I got what I paid for or not.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2854516/

[rockin-rizon.livejournal.com]

Small update to the situation.