Advice needed about commissioner

[cremate.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone! I’m a total newbie when it comes to commissions so I am seeking some advice for dealing with a client I have.

Basically, my client has commissioned me for a waist-up colored sketch. We have agreed on a price for this, and since he does not have a paypal I told him I would accept a gift card. I would complete the sketch and once he approved it, he would mail the gift card to me and I would finish coloring the picture.

Right now I am in the process of revising the sketch for this guy. I sent him the initial sketch I did, and he asked me to add many more bells and whistles on to it that wasn’t included in the description of his character. He also asked for a background and wanted many changes done to his character that weren’t clearly stated in his reference (no proper visual reference and his grammar is absolutely awful). My picture is also now going past the waist to accommodate an incredibly detailed belt

I did these changes and sent him the revised sketch, and he wants me to edit it even further (including undoing changes I have made in the last revision lol). I still have yet to receive any payment, and I feel that the price we agreed upon is simply too little for all of the details I’ve added.

He said he will not get paid until November 1st (a disability check nonetheless) and had I known any of this I would not have taken the commission. He is also overloading my inbox with many notes per day and is sharing way too much personal information with me.

I told him I will no longer be changing his sketch until I get the gift card for the price we agreed upon, but at this point I am feeling uncomfortable and overwhelmed with this client. I am unsure whether or not I should continue, or if it is appropriate for me to ask for more money.

Thanks!

EDIT: Am I allowed to edit? lol

The person is Mattmayhem/salemgrim

I want up upload these screenshots of our notes

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/xlaq_/mattbad1.jpg
I sent this note to him after making this beware post. The bottom note is a small portion of his contradictions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/xlaq_/mattbad2.jpg
His new FA account. Watch out for salemgrim

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/xlaq_/mattbad3.jpg
a list of all the notes he sent me. There are small snippets of character detail and description in each one, which made it impossible to get the character right, especially when he kept changing his mind. Asking him to cut back on sending notes was no use. All the he notes sent on the same day were all sent at the same time.

EDIT again: Just got these lovely notes after cancelling on him:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/xlaq_/mattbad4.jpg

Comments

[taasla.livejournal.com]

Firstly, I would put a stop to this asap. Personally, I do not allow major revisions to a sketch, period. It is a sketch, not a refined rendered commission. I would explain to him that you are going way beyond what is in the parameters of a "sketch commission", and that you would need more via payment or the bg and extra details need to be cut out. (yes, that includes the belt.)

TBH, it sounds like he is trying to get as much out of you just by the fact that you haven't gotten paid yet.

[everainsley]

Pretty much this. He's trying to get more than what he's agreed to pay for.

[genkigami.livejournal.com]

He's just trying to see how much bang he can get for his buck at your expense. He also sound incredibly creepy. I'd tell him to give you your space, only send notes regarding the commission (no more TMI, you're an artist not a friend,) and then do one of two things.

1. Tell him to pay up for the extras he weaseled out of you (since it was not part of the initial agreement.) If he doesn't, all his little details will be removed. (Basically what Taasla said.)

2. Screw everything and tell him to take a hike since he didn't pay and cancel the commission.

Personally I'd go for door number 2. If he's making you feel uncomfortable and stressing you out this much, it's not worth it.

[taasla.livejournal.com]

Yes, I should add to my post that I would have dropped him by now. 2 sounds like the best idea.

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

Agreed w/ everyone else. Don't do anything else till you get payment. They are getting to buddy buddy when you clearly (as I read) just want to keep this as buisness like as possible.

Personally I would cancel the commission, and if the card magically reached your door send the it back and end it if it were me.

Get away before it's too late.

[squirrelly-kaku.livejournal.com]

My goodness, this sounds almost EXACTLY like someone I had to deal with once. @_@; He was picky to the extreme, kept changing details he wanted that wasn't part of the original agreement, and got uncomfortably personal during the whole process as well.

I finished the work for him, but I changed my ToS to have a limit for revisions to only 3 before I start charging extra. I suggest if you don't have a policy like this in place before taking this commission that you do so next time to prevent something like this from happening again.

I ended up finishing the commission for him, but I also blacklisted him as a future client for myself. I couldn't handle the stress of him nit-picking and his indecisiveness. ._.; So I'd say, if you're going to finish it, don't do anything until you get payment, and tell him that any additional charges will cost extra. Or, I'd ask for payment for just the sketch, cancel the commission, and let him keep the money for the coloring part. You deserve at least something for your trouble. :/

Good luck to you!

[synviver.livejournal.com]

Agreeing with the other posters that have said he's trying to leech more work from you than you agreed on. A sketch is supposed to be something quick and minimally detailed.

Personally, I don't offer revisions of any kind on sketches. Also, what Ryunwoofie said: "I would cancel the commission, and if the card magically reached your door send the it back and end it if it were me."

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

Honestly I simply do not provide art, or work on art until payment is received first - and this sort of instance is why. I don't think he's going to pay you at all.

I would cancel this asap, and ask him to make no further contact with you.

[cesarin.livejournal.com]

just be careful, the way you describe this individual.. reminds me of a Canis dude (don't remember his full name, but always tried to milk as many sketches as possible before claiming you breached of contract and refuse to pay... his char was usually a muscular wolf in macho bondage suit)

[aerospiritual.livejournal.com]

Canis Claxis (http://www.vivisector.org/vivblog/index.php?/archives/10-Good-Morning-Hot-Buns-The-Canis-Claxis-Saga.html)?

[syrusb.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't give up on being paid quite yet.

I would inform him he's crossed a couple lines.

Politely remind him he's a client not a buddy and you would like to keep your relationship a business one.

Don't give him any more images. Remind him this was a sketch commission and the changes/additions he's asked for were not part of the original deal. Inform him you will be making no more revisions until you have received the original agreed payment. Additionally, if he wants further revisions you will require a fee of [X].

Inform him if he fails to pay the original agreed price by [X] date, you will take the appropriate action, be it blacklisting and/or beware.

If his behaviour doesn't change and/or he refuses to pay (for any reason), cancel the commission, tell him not to bother you again unless he intends to fulfill his part of the contract and take the action you outlaid before.

[cremate.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I've sent him a note stating that I will be charging extra for the additional work, and I've given him up to a week after he gets paid to receive my payment. I'm not so sure what I am expecting out of this but I guess we'll find out.

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

Please keep us updated. :3 We like to hear if things work out for you or not.

[sbneko.livejournal.com]

So, I dealt with this guy too, but get red flags before I ended up actually working with him, which I'm really glad for.

I've only read a few of those notes, once I stopped replying, I just couldn't bear to keep reading as I have a bit of anxiety in such situations , though I should be fine now, but apparently it's very bad, my friends said. Here's some screencaps in order:

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/1.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/2.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/3.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/4.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/5.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/6.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/7.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/8.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/9.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/10.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/11.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/12.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/13.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/14.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/15.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/16.png
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/sbneko/17.png

All those messages by him were done in pretty much one go. I saw two, let my friend on to read them as I restarted my computer and about 8 more poped up during that time. I stopped replying or giving the full answer he wanted since it was pretty obvious it would just get worse if I did.

[syrusb.livejournal.com]

That series of notes is a traaaaaaaaaiiiinwreeeeeck! Wow.

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

Holy. Crap. I would've been terrified getting all of those messages! There's something a little off about this guy... >>

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

Very well deserved beware. Both names to the block list. :|

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

...
This person seriously does not seem to Get It, and I don't think any amount of explaining will ever correct that.

Thanks for the beware.

[otherscape.livejournal.com]

I saw the edit and, yikes! This guy needs to seek counseling.

[genkigami.livejournal.com]

Beware needed. Holy moly, he seems unstable.

[taasla.livejournal.com]

Jeez, thank you for outing him. I've blocked his accounts.

[karthegrax.livejournal.com]

This person confuses me.

For example when he quotes business ideals then asks later what ideals are. His actions scream troll to me... they scream art scammer.

Too often we give into these people, especially in real life. You'd ask him for money, and he'd play on the guilt and "I dont understand" devices. Like when a foreigner comes through the checkouts and pays you the wrong money and you simply cannot make them understand the item costs more. You just let them take it, you're not going to snatch it back or stand there arguing all day. (some people might lol, I never do)

He may not be. He might just be some 13 year old kid who's completely legit and just wants some internet buddies, but idk... beware warranted, nonetheless

[karthegrax.livejournal.com]

Additional: That many notes is absolutely obscene. ...wowzers

[likeshine.livejournal.com]

wow, beware definitely warranted... yikes!

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

I feel like this dude knows what he's doing. He's trying all sorts of different ways to get what he wants, like a child throwing a tantrum.

First he acts "stupid" so you'll give him extra attention.
He then acts "poor" so hopefully you'll pity him and either 1. finish his art before he sends the cash and it 'mysteriously' gets lost in the mail or 2. he pays less for the art then what you've asked.
When you pick up on his weirdness and refuse him, he turns to:
self loathing (another pity grab),
attacking you (I don't really know what response that is trying to get...IM SO MAD I WILL DRAW FOR YOU),
belittling what art is (Oh its just a picture? It's just drawing? let me change my mind!)
attempting to say YOU are attacking HIM

ugh it just goes on and on.

Good on you for picking up on this early.

[starcharmer.livejournal.com]

This guy is gonna get so confused when he realizes how many block lists he's on...

Thanks for the warning, the edit is kind of scary.