Confused on a commission?

[spike sutcliff]

So, I'm truthfully unsure what to do about a certain situation with an artist that I commissioned in May of this year.

I'm not going to name names at the moment, since I'm still kind of confused, and would like to try and just work things out, and will refer to the artist as 'Leo' from now on.

I was introduced to Leo through another close internet friend of mine quite a while ago. Internet friend and Leo were incredibly close. I did like Leo's style, so I decided to commission her on a site that allows commissions to be taken in online currency.

Shortly after, Leo got sick and left the site, although she still remained on dA to talk to Internet friend.
I never received anything for that commission, but didn't really mind, since it was just fake money, and went on with life as usual.

Stupidly, a couple months later, Leo posted a journal on dA, asking if someone with a paypal account would buy her a character design that was being sold for $9 in exchange for a commission, and I agreed.

She contacted me with the user's paypal information, and asked what I wanted, and I offered her two character designs to choose from. She said she'd be happy to do both, and I paid for the commission, buying her a character design.

I didn't hear from her for a while, but I did occasionally check back in to see if the commissions were finished. Then, a few weeks ago, she posted a journal apologizing to her commissioners, and saying she had two left to finish, and posted their names. I was not one of them.

So I sent her a note, reminding her of the commission, and saying that I could provide notes or paypal information to prove that I'd bought her this design in exchange for a commission. She read the note, but never responded. It's been about a week since then, and she's been posting some journals on occasion, but I haven't been able to speak to Leo since I commissioned her.

So now I'm confused on what to do.

Since I did not actually give money to Leo, I can't file a claim with paypal asking for my money back, but at the same time, I never spoke to the artist whom I paid for the character design.

I'm not sure what my next move should be,and any advice would be greatly appreciated ;o;

Comments

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

The lack of contact and being ignored is a huge red flag and in my opinion this is worth making a beware out of.

[otherscape.livejournal.com]

Agreeing with Skuki.

I'd contact the user you sent the money to and explain the situation. Maybe they can do something. Or did Leo already buy the design?

[spike sutcliff (from livejournal.com)]

I bought the design, then gave it to Leo in exchange for a commission.
However, I never actually spoke to the artist of the design and it was set up with Leo as the middleman. The dA posting of the design lists her as the owner.

I was considering doing that, but I really have no use for the design that was purchased, and I'm not exactly sure what they could do x.x

[otherscape.livejournal.com]

Yea, now that you gave Leo the design, it probably wouldn't do any good to involve the middleman. I'd make this an official beware since that's been known to light a fire under the artist.

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

As I see it, you have two main options

1) warn her that you are becoming unhappy with her behavior and give her a chance to do right by you before you go public (set a deadline, "I need a response by ____ and a firm date when I can expect the art")

2) Go public now since she's already done several shady things to you (apparently dropping your old commission, dropping this commission, ignoring you) and let her know she can save face by making contact and doing the art she owes.

[mgsfriedchicken.livejournal.com]

Do the beware. She could be doing this to other people.

[snowyedges.livejournal.com]

I highly suggest messaging her again (especially if the note was read/not responded to and she's been active on the site), saying you'd like the art you're owed from both occasions and that you aren't happy with the way she's handling her business. While one was paid using "digital money", it's still no longer in your possession and you got nothing in return for it. It's really no different, and is still pretty unprofessional.

Even if she comes through with your art, I think a beware is necessary. Communication is pretty vital when it comes to commissions and I know I don't want to deal with someone who brushes my notes off and responds whenever they feel like it.

[spike sutcliff (from livejournal.com)]

I'm very bad at situations like this xD
Makes me very nervous...

I'm compiling things to put together for a beware, although she appears to have deleted the original journal. I've still got the notes and things though...

The communication could be a little bit my fault though, as I forgot for a couple months. I'm just more miffed that she's not responding now, yet still posting and taking commissions on the site :/

[sepp.livejournal.com]

My opinion from what I've read so far, I don't think the communication situation is your fault. It should not be your responsibility to check up with the artist you've commissioned just to get a progress report or especially the finished product - giving an artist two months to work on your commission without emails or notes is generous, even if you did accidentally forget. The artist should absolutely not use that as an excuse as to why she did not finish your art, or contact you. Don't be hard on yourself :)

[synviver.livejournal.com]

Completely agreeing with all of this.

[snowyedges.livejournal.com]

Definitely agreeing with Sepp on this~. :>
I totally get the whole "being too scared to contact an artist" thing - it happens to me a lot, but sometimes you just gotta' go through with it or else you could lose money and get walked on by anyone who knows you're too timid to contact them about things that they owe.

[holydust.livejournal.com]

Sounds like she's been pretty clever about her dealings. I'd almost venture to say she might be making a habit out of letting people pay other people for her things so that she's protected from chargebacks. I mean, you have to admit that's pretty convenient for her.

This is two times she's dropped the ball and it seems possible that it's been deliberate. Feel free to give her another week (and a few more polite warnings about your intentions) before you post the full details on A_B, but I am willing to bet she's avoiding you because she doesn't think she has to acknowledge you.

That won't change unless you put your foot down. You don't have to feel bad about it -- just be firm but polite. How she reacts (and if she reacts) will at least give you some peace in your decision.

[conigliomannaro.livejournal.com]

^This. Tell her you will wait another 14 days, then post a full blown beware about her over here. It's annoying to have to resort to threatening people, but since you got what you paid for you can't issue a dispute with paypal, so you can't work on that side. Although, you paid for the character design in exchange for the commission, so technically that is still yours, isn't it? Not sure what you can make of it, but you could try on that side also. I don't know. Trying with the 'threat' might be your best shot.

[holydust.livejournal.com]

100% in agreement with you there.

And, OP, I'd take that design and run with it if I were you. You didn't get your half, so she doesn't get hers. It's not like she owns copyright on it or anything, and I'm positive the creator of the design would give you their blessing (and even deliver a message to the other person for you, if you ask nicely) if you told them the situation.

[spike sutcliff (from livejournal.com)]

The only thing I'm really worried about with making that threat is Internet friend :/
We're still close, and I know she favors Leo over me, and it's never really bugged me, but I'm afraid if I say something to Leo, she'll tell Internet friend, and then bad things will happen x.x

I'm a big wimp ;o;

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

Then that friend isn't much of a friend. You can favor one person over another if you must (but it sucks), but when money comes into the situation friendships need to be put on hold.

[holydust.livejournal.com]

^