I really could use some help.

[posterslapper.livejournal.com]

I commissioned someone over a month ago. Granted it was a little bit of a complex commission, but she seemed fast and reliable. It’s a acrylic painting of one of my characters. So I can understand the bit of wait. It’s just…I’m getting frustrated at this person (no going to state any names). I was SECOND on her commission list and the first one was already done by the time of me commissioning her. And after 3 weeks of waiting I dropped her a nice note just asking how it was coming along. She replayed saying “I was going to start on that really soon btw!” I’ve done some more waiting. And still I have gotten nothing. And I know she is active because she some how managed to make two masks, like rubber prosthetic masks, at lest 3 molds for soap and several bars of soap all in one month. She had announced she was going to start making soap the same time I had commissioned her, so they’re not old projects.

So I sent here another not asking for another update and she reply’s with “I’ll submit it Monday maybe.” But yesterday I checked FA many times, no art was posted from her.

The main reason why I am so frustrated is because she is submitting oodles of personal work and is giving little to no communication. And I am not sure what I should do. Should I wait a week? Should I just demand my 40$ back now? Or am I just to impationt?

And if you think I SHOULD refund my money how should I word it with out sounding like a jerk? This so far is my only "failed" commission thus far, and I just dunno what to do.

Comments

[skittlewolf.livejournal.com]

"Granted it was a little bit of a complex commission"

Relax. A month isn't that much time to wait ESPECIALLY if you got something complex, as you said. Artists are not machines ready to pop out commissions. It is annoying when an artists posts other things that are not your work but you have to remember sometimes they need breaks from a commission to work on something else so they don't get bummed out or anything with working on a piece continuously for awhile.

The lack of communication is annoying, yea. How many times are you messaging her? Are you pestering her? I know some artists are less likely to respond if you CONSTANTLY heckle them for progress.

[taelifoe.livejournal.com]

Very much agree with this. Depending on things like the size of the commission, work with a traditional media, such as acrylics, can potentially take longer than something like a digital painting.

And it's okay to ask now and then how the work is coming along, just be careful that you don't overdo it so that you come across as harassing them.

[leahtaur.livejournal.com]

Surely she could have gotten the sketch for the painting done in three weeks though? I think OP might be worried about the 45 day deadline for Paypal chargebacks, which is their only recourse if the artist has no intention of finishing the piece.

OP, given her overly laidback attitude as evidenced in her communication, I think you're justified in asking for a deadline for the sketch or a refund. Keep an eye on the date so your chargeback deadline doesn't go by.

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

Asking about progress once a week or less is not in any way "constantly heckling"

and /zero/ progress shots on a current commission after one month is starting to push it. A painting can take a lot of time, but first it has to be sketched out.

To the OP: Do NOT demand your money back yet. First communicate that you're willing to be patient but were under the impression your commission would be started on quickly, and that you would like to know when you can expect to see progress and when it will probably be finished. (if that is how you feel, if you have some more urgent need for the picture then say that) Ask for solid deadlines. If you are thinking about a refund, introduce the idea now "if you're too busy I don't mind a refund" or "if you don't think you can get it done by (y) I would like a refund"

Make sure dates set are reasonable. I don't know how quickly the artist usually does acrylic paintings, or how complicated a painting this is, but the expected finish date should be /at least/ a month I would say.