Need advice please

[riotshark.livejournal.com]

Hello, I've been a lurker on here for a while and would like to avoid making a beware but it seems a current commission may be headed that way.
I was hoping to get some advice on the situation as I'd like to avoid posting/drama.

I commissioned a foam head base over 2 weeks ago and the commissioner said they would have it to me by this past weekend. Aug. 5-7.
It is not here and the con I need it for is this coming weekend. I gave her until the 9th to get it to me.
After a semi rude journal she posted I got curious, also because I never get updates unless I ask her and borderline bug her for them. She promised pictures Friday but never posted any of mine but did 3 other commission pieces.

Turns out she's been on here 3 times before...

If it's possible give me some advice on what I should do in this situation?

Comments

[romani123.livejournal.com]

Hmmm if its who I think it is dont expect it very soon.
I commisioned a head from them back in Aug of 07 it was not to me until February of 08..

[riotshark.livejournal.com]

It very well may be. I'm going to just ask for a refund, she's notorious for being late apparently.

[ocelotish]

I would emphasize that you need it by then and would ask for a partial refund if the artist is unable deliver the head. If this was a solid deadline, and that was part of the commission, if she can't hold it then you're entitled to a partial refund.

[zaulankris.livejournal.com]

This. Artist needs to get their ducks in a line and either learn not give out deadlines they can't meet or learn that there are consequences for being unreliable.

If this is who I think it is I was pretty >:( when reading their journal and thought it was major unpro to get angry when the people who are giving you money ask for you know, that thing they paid for.

[riotshark.livejournal.com]

I'm just going to ask for a refund at this time. I have no proof from her that she's even STARTED my head and later found out after I got worried she's on here 3 times. :/

[mactonight.livejournal.com]

I wasn't angry at all when I wrote that journal. As explained below, I was getting over 10 notes every morning and at least 25 by the end of the day and was getting extremely stressed out. I just needed people to stop noting me for a few days and let me get caught up with things. I can see how it was rude, though, and I apologize if I offended you.

And yes, I really do need to work on my time management. People give me reasonable deadlines that I'm sure I could meet...then the deadline quickly creeps up and I'm sitting there wondering "What the heck was I doing all this time!?" It really does make me feel bad and I'm having a hard time fixing it.

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

This. Some artists also respond to threats of being posted here, though I'd suggest you post them so for people to avoid her attitude.

[riotshark.livejournal.com]

I have and she posted the journal I mentioned not long after. I don't even know if she started it yet. She claims she has but her information she gives doesn't add up. :/

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gilligan_/]

If I Think who it is you might be waiting a while, I would say if you don't get it by x time you will post her here, That's how I got my head bases.

[riotshark.livejournal.com]

I would but the con I needed it for is THIS weekend. She assured me it would be done and I only commissioned it due to not having the time to make it myself. I expected it on time as she promised, I do not see this happening and have no need for it since I have no suit for this con now due to waiting on the head.
I'm just going to ask for a refund and post a general beware on her time management.

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

Can you do a chargeback or paypal dispute?
If so, don't let that window run out

[riotshark.livejournal.com]

It's only been a little over 20 days so I can if needed.

[mandyseley.livejournal.com]

I think you should ask for a refund and give her a hard deadline to get you your money back. If she really did get it done, and can provide proof of it, I'd probably settle for a partial refund and for the work that's been completed to be sent. You deserve at least part of your money back since she didn't hold up her end of the contract (the deadline was not met).

Be polite but firm when you tell her the options, and if she replies rudely, don't take the bait and start and argument.

You're still in the time frame for a Paypal dispute, so if they don't give you a refund within that time period, file the dispute.

[mactonight.livejournal.com]

Hey, I know this journal is about me, so I'm going to be up front about it.

Like I said in the note I sent earlier, I'll gladly give you a refund tonight. You're entitled to a full refund since I missed your deadline.

I'm bad about getting WIP pictures. I started the basics of your head base, but never did finish it in time. The three things I posted were ordered before yours. I don't usually send updates since I'm working with so many people right now, but I absolutely don't mind being asked for updates!

And lastly, about that journal. I really didn't intend for that journal to be rude, but I can see how it is. I wasn't angry or anything when I wrote it, just very stressed out. I'd wake up every day to over 10 notes and at least 25 by the end of the day and I just needed a few days to get caught up on things. It wasn't aimed at any specific person, and most certainly not you, just a general announcement. I apologize if it offended you (or anyone else). It wasn't my intention.

I do have deadline issues, but I don't think I'm a rude person. I try to be kind to all of my customers and I have no problems giving refunds. The last time I was posted here I kind of lost my cool (my friend was also really not helping...). It's hard for me to explain myself when 30 people are replying to me/scolding me/over-analyzing my words and tone. I have a lot of patience, but it kind of ran out during that beware.

[growly.livejournal.com]

Hi hi! Just poking my nose in for a minute.
I tend to put off replying to difficult to answer emails and things, where I'd have to actually get up and check something... so I only open my email when I'm fully ready to go run around and answer questions. I bring this up because it seems you're similar in that you've been looking at your notes when you're busy or otherwise not ready to answer them. So I would work on people's heads during the day, then at night, fire off any progress updates to people who's orders you worked on that day.

You could also post daily updates in your Costumes by Belle FA account journal, or make a work Twitter like some people do. :) I think if you make updates really easy to find and readily available, you won't get so many notes from worried customers.

[mactonight.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like the idea of a work Twitter. Though I think I'd rather use Facebook, but that's not important.

I tend to look to see who noted me in the morning and reply to them that night. I get a lot of non-commission related notes as well, which I don't mind, but it contributes to them adding up. And then they end up backing up and then people think I'm ignoring them. I would never ignore a customer (or, anyone for that matter).

I realize that I have a problem missing deadlines and I'm trying to work on it. I'm closing up shop for now until I finish all of the current fursuit commissions I have; and I made myself a strict schedule of what I need to finish each day. After that I'll be trying out a waiting list so I don't get overwhelmed and completely lose motivation. I REALLY do not like this reputation I'm gaining and I HATE the amount of times I've been posted on AB. Especially the last time. My God, that post made me look like the worst person on the planet. Even after all that, I bought the customer a pair of latex pawpads for her fursuit because she didn't want a refund.

[growly.livejournal.com]

I made myself a plan for if I had to take commissions full-time for whatever reason...
I'd only take on two at a time, and while I'm waiting for materials/customer approval on the one, I'd be working on the other. Then I'd go to my waiting list and poke the next person in line a couple days before finishing one so I'd be ready to get to work on the next one immediately. Perhaps something structured like that would help you?