When Requests go to far +Advice Please+ UPDATED.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Edit: Due to demand, I have publicly posted the name at the bottom of the entry, under the cut.

Recently I have run into one of my past Requesters accusing me of being a horrible and shameful artist due to never posting a higher quality version of a piece of work I did for him as a free request. Now I am seeking advice on this.

To explain more so:

- I do requests as breaks from commissions, and take on a 2-3 at a time in particular art styles; all are at the same quality as my current flat colour artwork. I have a small card size book that I tend to draw said requests in to keep them all in one place.
- I did not have a scanner at the time, so used my 8MP camera to take the best photos that I could, taking 2 of this particular request.
- I did these mini-requests within 3 days of accepting, and tagged each user via Facebook (all were active and replied each time).

A month or so later, this requester asked me to scan the piece for higher quality. Unfortunately I was hunting for a job and stressed on finding housing as well as finishing current commissions, I replied saying I would as soon as possible, or I could run it through Photoshop  Unfortunately I had forgotten and it slipped my mind completely.

A week or two later after his initial question, my commission account on Facebook (Akemi 'kemkem' Inukami) had been deleted due to a hacking incident. I then moved over to my normal Facebook account, adding as many people as I remember, including said requester and apologising for the inconvenience of what had happened.

Only a few days ago, said person accused me of being unreliable and slow, and a fake artist. Even going so far as to claim they paid for the work. If I could find the book I surely would update the piece to make them happy, but unfortunately packing was done in a day to move in a rush, and I must have misplaced it - I have looked high and low with no results.

Now I want advice on this. He is claiming it is paid when it is obviously not as it was a request, and since then evidence has been deleted. Do I just ride this one out or continue to plead my point? I have since dropped contact with him via Facebook as being tagged in this as the particular artist has caused unnecessary family and friendship stress on me due to this incident (Yes, my current facebook account has my family on it, and it is my joint Fur and Regular account). So now I need advice on how to continue? I have apologised and mentioned that it was only a request, and that yes it was completed for him as soon as I could.

Update (this is what I posted on my Facebook along with the photo, after my family and friends harassed me over what this person had said about me, this was written before a minor medical isse arose due to the stress) I am more than happy to provide a screenshot of my paypal to prove I have not accepted funds from him: 'Commissioner' Milo Amiro (Facebook) - 

A commission comes before a free request. Free Requests are unpaid pieces of work that take valuable funds and time away from commissions. I do them at my own discretion. Milo Amiro did not pay me to get this piece done.

Lately (2mths), a free request I have done has been lost, namely the book I specifically do my mini-card requests in as I moved houses. I have searched high and low with little results. I would GLADLY post up higher quality pictures (as at the time of original posting, I did not have a scanner, only 8.1MP camera) if I had the actual art to post from, which people do not seem to understand.

In saying this, it was a request. I did not deny it and actually did come through with the art, as posted below. I already took the time to finish this mini-request months ago, though the account it was on has since been deleted.

Though I am more than happy to upgrade the overall quality through a run on Photoshop, colour correcting, sharpening and de-blurring, and have mentioned this before, and will mention that this quick run in photoshop will be free of charge.

In all honesty, requests will now be denied. I have had enough of people taking requests too seriously. I was not paid to do it, therefore have the choice to continue it if I feel like it."

http://imageshack.us/f/821/imag0044twy.jpg/ <-- Said request piece done to the same standard as other request pieces I have done before.

Proof he asked me on the 15th NOV for a scanned copy: 

Proof of name, to compare to my paypal notes below (Happy to take out if its too much, I just have no other way to prove his name via paypal if it ever showed up):

My paypal transactions from 17 July 2011 - 22nd November 2011, earlier than said request.

Unfortunately I cannot access his posts from what he has said about me, as it looks like they may have been deleted. Though a friend that communicated with him might have message logs. Will update those soon.

Comments

[vellacraptor.livejournal.com]

I would politely explain to him and to my general facebook audience (if his accusations were made visible) that it was a request done on your spare time and that you are sorry that you weren't able to upload a higher resolution but it was lost during the move. Also explain that if he had an issue, he should address it in private instead of in public, and that if he still insists on it being paid to provide evidence of said payment. Point out you do not appreciate him slandering your name when you took the time out of your schedule to take his FREE request in the first place.

Also, take him off your facebook, or block him, then if it has caused problems explain to your friends/family what happened. They'll understand I'm sure.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I have done so on my facebook as an explanation to friends/family/mutual friends who now seem to understand the situation. If it continues I will ask him to provide proof of 'payment'.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Updated with name and my post directly from Facebook.

[dinobutt.livejournal.com]

If he's so sure that he paid for it, he should be able to provide proof. If he can't do that, his claim is meaningless.

If he continues to harass you all you can really do is block him and move on. What he's asking for is unreasonable, and if he's going to cause a scene on your Facebook and lie about the situation, it's not worth spending all that effort trying to justify yourself. You aren't in the wrong if you just cut off all contact with him. Despite his entitled attitude, you owe him nothing.

[everainsley]

What they said.

If they paid, they should have proof of it, especially if it was through a service like PayPal.

Also what the hell is with all the entitlement lately over free stuff? :/

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

Wow another case of entitled furries and free art.. He should be grateful some artists don't even send full-res images of commissioned work.

Quoting above. Block away.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I've removed him from my Facebook, and also cross-posted to FA. Seems his white knights are going to show up now. This'll be interesting. If the situation worsens i'll update this entry with a name.

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

You take payments via paypal, right? Just check your paypal for his last name and if theres no money there just take a screencap with blurred last names and payment amounts over the last six months and be like

LOL SORRY WUT I CANT HEAR YOU OVER HOW STUPID YOU ARE

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

As a sidenote, damn girl you get all the crazy ones, huh? I feel so bad for you :X Cause I couldn't handle it.

[mrst4nkr.livejournal.com]

YESYESYES. This! DO! ^^^^^

[thaily.livejournal.com]

If you otherwise have no similar complaints from paying customers, I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Especially since he can't provide a Paypal screenshot or other evidence that it was a commission rather than a request, and you have a history of doing requests. No sane person would believe him.

Furthermore, even if you do find the original of the work you made for him, I would not give him a hi-res scan. Not only could he make prints or whatnot, you'd be rewarding bad behavior and encouraging him to give other artists the same treatment.

Personally I'd like to know this person's name so I can avoid ever giving him anything.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Oh I do have the original photo I showed him, infact I have 2! So I still do have the photographs of the request I did.

Thankyou for supporting this though :) I will no longer offer the high-res if this is the behaviour an artist recieves in return.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Updated with name and my post directly from Facebook.

[dazen-cobalt.livejournal.com]

What the? he's getting uppity about a request? *facepalms* what is with furries and being so entitled? I do understand what you're going through. I use to take requests now and then just to get ideas but people became so picky and mean about something they got for free. turned me off to em all together honestly. he can't provide a screen shot of payment so I wouldn't even worry about it.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I'm about to post up my Paypal as proof that I have not accepted money from him, so he can't claim to have lost his paypal address either, as I have had one client do in the past.

In all honesty this has turned me off not on requests all together; but how I USED to take them, I have updated my rules now.

[syrusb.livejournal.com]

I never offer high res versions of freebies; that's part of the deal. If a freebie recipient had come to me with libel and garbage I would have laughed, proven no money exchanged hands and blocked. I don't need that kind of attitude.

After the first photo was delivered I would have considered my obligations fulfilled on a freebie. If a polite requester returned at a later time and asked for the piece again, or a new version if available, I would oblige, time and accessibility permitting.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Yup, I considered my work done after I originally posted.

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

And this is why I'm always nervous about doing freebies and put a big honking disclaimer "These are for my own fun and if you will be upset if I don't get around to it, don't ask for one" etc.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I didn't because i've been doing them for a while and never run into a problem until this fellow Australian requested one... :C

[anjel-kitty.livejournal.com]

I might also suggest if your furry commission fb contracts are causing you stress on your main aacount that has your family, you make a point to keep them seperated. I'm pretty staunch about keeping fb for professional and family contacts only. You shouldn't have to tag someone to get the to. Optics art, they should just watch your account for when you post it.
Also if he thinks he paid for it ask him to provide proof and if he can't block him. Fb blocking system is very good in that you no longer even have to see the person you're blocking anymore.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I would but after having my initial commission account was hacked and they wanted my passport copy, bill copy, and whatnot to get it back; I can't see a good reason to keep them separated D:

And agreed, i've just found out how much of a good system it is xD

[inku-inku.livejournal.com]

Some people's expectations from freebies always astounds me. That's why I no longer do them. If I want to practice other's characters I make gift art for fellow artists and friends.
I agree with all comments above.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I'm going to stick to a few requests with a REQUEST TOS as well as giftart now when I want to take a break from commissions I think.

[megumi-kitten.livejournal.com]

That is terrible. I must say, as much as AB has taught me to be fair to customers and helped me gain my footing for commisions, it's also scared me from ever doing requests.

I agree with the others. Unless he can provide proof he paid, then his claim is worthless. He needs to learn patience or he'll find himself on many blacklists.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Agreed; I don't really feel bad naming and shaming him due to this appalling behaviour :C

[grygon.livejournal.com]

I will never understand why some folks feel so damn entitled over FREE ART. Having experienced an irate free-requester myself as well, I can only say I am sorry you are going through this.

What my own horrible experience taught me was that yes, people actually need a TOS over FREE things, sad as that is. Cover your butt and type up a little TOS for your free art. Make sure that in it you remind people over and over that this is free and since you are not getting paid for it you are in no way required to do it for them, much less grant any extra services along with it.

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

Agreed; I have one now =3 Thankyou for that idea!

(frozen)

[claytronic.livejournal.com]

Cripes. This is why I don't do requests.

[mgsfriedchicken.livejournal.com]

NEVER. EVER. Combine your art facebook with your personal FB! Not only does it cause confusion, but drama between family and friends. I once had that issue with a former friend, and then she started spreading lies about me to them.

If he paid for it, he could prove it with paypal or some other kind of receipt. For fuck's sake it's a request. And do you know how many people EVEN DO them? ....Uhm, not many at all.

[frazzled-niya.livejournal.com]

I'd change it so your commissions was on a group/community on facebook and separate from your RL facebook @3@

[flarveon.livejournal.com]

I usually would have them separate, but for a while, during my rebuilding/busy period I use ky personal account for requests only D: