Advice?

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

So, I'm an artist on FA and have been doing commissions for about a year now. Recently I was asked to do a ref. sheet for someone on FA for who the time being will be unnamed. The way I do commissions is making a rough sketch and sending it to the commissioner for approval, after they approve the sketch and request changes I ask them to send me the payment so I can finish the rest of the picture. I sent this client a cleaner then I normally do sketch and he said he liked it, but asked if I could change the feet, which I was more then happy to do once he sent me then $55 the ref. sheet costs.

Didn't hear back from him for a few days so I poked him with a friendly note, he said he had been sick and would send me the money Tuesday (a week ago) at the time it was Monday. Waited till friday and sent him a note saying If for some reason he was unable to pay the $55 the alternative would be to send me $10 and I would clean up the sketch more and send it to him. He did note replay, but read the note. I sent him another note yesterday, asking him how everything was going on his end and If I would be getting the money any time soon so I could work on his commission. Again, the note was read but never replied too. I'm not really sure what to do about this because I've never been in this situation before. If he doesn't plan on paying me then at most he gets away with a $10 - But I would really just like to talk to him either way. Any advice on how to handle it? I'm not upset with him, just a little frustrated.

- Sinto

(EDIT: Split the massive block of text so it is easier to read. I agree, I should have been water-marking my sketch work, I suppose I got too confident in my commissioners. I'll be sure that I'll do this in the future. I was hopeful at first that he was just busy, but I sent him a short note this morning -

"I'm a little curios to why you're no longer replying to my notes. I can see you're active. If there's an issue with the commission I would be more then happy to talk with you about it. If it's easier we can talk over an instant messenger. Hope to hear from you soon -"
Sinto

This note, too, was also read and not responded too. Yet he's been posting comments on other peoples pages for days. I'll send him a Note tonight about there being a deadline on the payment - and that if he does not pay either the $10 for the sketch or $55 for the full commission I will post a full beware here. Thanks again everyone!)

(EDIT: Sent him the deadline of March 8th and informed him that I'd be posting him here if he didn't pay either $10 for the sketch or $55 for the full ref. He did read it and has not replied. I suppose I'll just play the waiting game now.)

(EDIT: 2/26/12. So I have not heard back from him at all, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead an make a beware. I sent him the note explaining when he needs to pay and that I would post him here but it didn't seem to light any fire under him :/ What do you guys think? Wait till the 8th and see 'if' I get paid or just make the beware now?)

Comments

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

Since you have contacted him more than once and he's read the notes but refused to respond, it may be feasible to assume the worst. Have you tried leaving shouts on his page? Sometimes those can get a response and well, if he deletes them without replying then that pretty much confirms that you got scammed. If this does happen to be the case, you have the option of submitting a beware to this community also.

In future it may be best to take payment first, watermark your sketches or show only thumbnails as previews to stop this from happening again.

[laini.livejournal.com]

Personally I think you're contacting him too much. Yeah maybe he's trying to pull a fast one and get a free sketch out of you but maybe not.

I'd cool off, give him a week or two between messages.

But perhaps a watermark or some kind of down payment first might not be a bad idea.

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

I thought I was being too pushy at first too - until I saw that he was commenting and faving other artwork. It's one thing to just not been on the site and having issues outside of FA, it's another to blatantly not respond to my notes :/

[ljmydayaway.livejournal.com]

Considering that he owes sinto money, I don't think they're contacting them too much. They shouldn't have to wait two weeks when they were promised money the next day. :C

If you owe someone money, pay it, or update the artist as to WHY you can't pay it and WHEN you'll be able to.

I'm currently dealing with someone who is jerking me around about paying me. I hate it. If they just kept me up to date, it wouldn't be a big deal, but it's like pulling teeth to figure out what the problem is and why I'm not getting money that was promised to me two weeks ago.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

Ah...no I disagree. The client didn't pay when they said they would, I wouldn't give him any time to "cool off", either. I'd pester them until i was paid (within reason) or just simply post a beware here.

[mialattia.livejournal.com]

Simply tell him that either he can pay you $55 or $10, but that he has 2 weeks [or insert time here] to do so. If he does not respond within that period to either pay you (NO MORE DELAYS-- tell him that)you will cancel his commission and post an Artists Beware entry in regards to his refusal to pay and to be an uncommunicative customer that wastes a professional's time.

I disagree with 'cooling off', as he owes you money and briefly strung you along.

And seconding that you should watermark and send a small version of the sketches in the future.

[magusmanx.livejournal.com]

I agree with this one right here. Set a deadline, and if he skips it, then post.

[starcharmer.livejournal.com]

I agree with this and might add that you could try to auction off the rough sketch as a "your character here" deal and see if anyone else might want to buy it. That way you're not out the money for your effort and you can use the sketch instead of just scrapping it.

[ser-dooksalot.livejournal.com]

^
very good idea
(plus, it would be clearly letting the guy know that, no, he doesn't get to keep that sketch for free)

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

I think this is a wonderful idea - I'll be sure to send him a note tonight. :)

[mialattia.livejournal.com]

Good luck! As casual as the fandom is, it's your right to stick up for your business, and if he's just blowing you off until he feels like responding instead of scamming you, I hope this will help him realize that a business contract is just that. Both ends have to uphold professionalism.

[ser-dooksalot.livejournal.com]

As someone who has bought a lot of artwork, I agree with the idea of giving the customer a watermarked/small version of the image until they pay, EVEN if it is just a wip sketch. That's what a lot of artists I've bought from do, and I know it's not a personal thing against me, but it's simply to make sure they get paid and aren't ripped off and scammed.

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

That's pretty sleezy in my opinion. I don't think you were over pushy on asking either. You did work that was worth some form of payment. Also If the customer has a moment to read a note it only takes a moment to mention 'hay I haven't forgotten about you I'll see what I can do soon' or SOMETHING.

Repeating everyone to never really do art before you get funds or if you don't feel comfortable watermark the picture w/ 'NOT PAID' or something so they cannot steal it.

They told you they'd pay on a certain day and didn't. They sound like a dead beat to me. If they don't pay soon I'd say it's worth a full beware here.

[mgsfriedchicken.livejournal.com]

"cooling off"? Uhm no. He owes you money. Give the customer a watermarked, low quality of the image until they pay.

Do not, do not, DO NOT DO ANY work until you are paid in full! If they don't pay soon, post a beware here.

[frazzled-niya.livejournal.com]

Second this.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Hmm, that's pretty lame. He sounds like a mooch.
Even if he pays the $10, don't update the sketch. Consider it a down payment on the work you already did. And if he takes too long? Yeah, erase the head, put a circle in it's place and offer it as a pre-sketched and customizable commission, plenty of people looking for ref sheets to bother with this guy.

[roocodendron.livejournal.com]

^ Exactly what I was thinking. Lots of people sell pre-sketched poses and whatnot, it's better than nothing when/if he doesn't pay.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

If he takes money for the sketch, edits out the 'commissioners' head, and resells, well he can't do that.

If he doesn't pay up at all, he can, but not if any money is exchanged.

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

So you did a sketch before taking payment? I'd drop it cause it sounds like you got ripped off for being a trusting, honest individual(The world sucks). Maybe in future insist on payment up front? It's generally how art commissions work on FA that I've seen. A sketch in the meanwhile is just an added bonus.

[rtydmartel.livejournal.com]

(EDIT: 2/26/12. So I have not heard back from him at all, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead an make a beware. I sent him the note explaining when he needs to pay and that I would post him here but it didn't seem to light any fire under him :/ What do you guys think? Wait till the 8th and see 'if' I get paid or just make the beware now?)

If you already gave him a solid deadline, don't go back on your word. He might use that as an argument against you when (if) you make the beware.

Thanks

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice, I'll post the beware after March 8th then :)

Re: Thanks

[rtydmartel.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I too would be itching to get it all over by now, but better play it safe, I think, just in case.

[mialattia.livejournal.com]

Well, March 8th is still a while away, and I don't believe he's going to pay you, but you may want to stick it out just to keep to your plan. Maybe give him Shout reminders for his convenience!

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

I gave him a shout about two days ago :/ still nothing. At this point I would just like to see a reply of any kind.

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Yes, this happens. I have customers ditch out without paying quite a bit too.

Give him until the deadline before making any more moves. You've gone above and beyond what's necessary here.

[timelapsedecay.livejournal.com]

I would at least honor your word and wait for the deadline. If you jump the gun he can definitely use it against you.

EDIT: Didn't see the comments above, so I apologize for repeating something. This community really does have some sound advice :3

[lackoflollies.livejournal.com]

Have you tried sending him a paypal invoice that he owes you money?

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

This is a good idea. Hopefully they have the so-called customer's email.

:/

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

I unfortunately do not have his Email :/

[timelapsedecay.livejournal.com]

Saw the posts they left on your page.
They are backing out, sure, but I think the lack of communication and their rudeness is enough to warrant a beware. :I