Artist Beware: Chimerasynx

[wesfox.livejournal.com]

WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/CHIMERASYNX

WHAT: $160 digital commission

WHEN: Jan 15th 2010 till now (April 2012)
Details:
I commissioned Chimerasynx on Jan 15th 2010, with the knowledge that it going to be a wait of up to a year.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/1.png
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/2.png

In late 2010 they stated that they would start posting some of the commissions taken around the time I purchased mine around Thanksgiving/Christmas, of which none ended up being posted.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/a.png
When asked they stated that they were delayed, but that mine wasn't among the bunch that would have been posted.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/3.png
More waiting. At the 15 month mark, around April 16th I pinged them for an update again
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/b.png
To which they replied that something "catastrophic" had happened, putting their art on hold.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/4.png

I let them off the hook and continued to wait. In August 2011 I pinged them again, this time getting a different reason why there was nothing yet to show for me, and apparently anyone else.

http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/c.png
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/5.png


On October 29th 2011 I PM'd them asking for an update, and stating that I'd either accept a refund, but would be fine waiting for the artwork but would need some sort of in-progress shot to prove that it was being worked on. More waiting, and eventually they responded with:

http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/6.png
The end of the year and their promised deadline of Dec 31st 2011 came and went, and I PM’d them again.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/d.png
No response, so I PM’d them yet again.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/e.png
A month later they finally got back to me about the missed deadlines and promised me something the next day or Monday of the next week.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/7.png
More time passed, the promised material never arrived. Finally they told me that it would be one or two more days.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/8.png

Nothing obviously was sent to me the next day or the next week, or at any point after that and now here I am. They haven't read my subsequent notes on FA, however they have read notes by others and refunded at least one other person who posted a public shout to them (Chimerasynx then deleted that shout, but the person thus refunded PM'd me to let me know what had happened with their attempt to get their money back). However Chimerasynx so far hasn’t read or replied to any of my notes asking for a refund from the same time period as that, so I'm frustrated beyond belief at this point.

I then posted a public shout on their page, hoping to get them to respond. So far nothing.
http://arcanofox.foxpaws.net/artistbeware/9.png

I really don't care about the artwork at this point, but after being strung along for multiple years with no evidence that they've even touched the piece (despite claims to the contrary), I just want a refund and then consider the issue dropped.

If anyone has additional contact info for them, which hopefully they read more often than FA notes, that would be appreciated. I really hate to have to assume the worst here, especially given their level of talent, and pending them getting back to me, I'll have to start looking at various options regarding fraud filings with my bank. The lack of response, the missed deadlines, failed promises and changing excuses need an explanation, and I need a refund.

Comments

[lincard.livejournal.com]

Just as corroboration of this, I was in exactly the same position as Wesfox - waited well over 2 years without any results after paying $140. However, after making that public shout for a refund (or for ChimeraSynx to read my notes) he did refund me, but was very quick to delete that shout - guessing having two in a row wasn't something he wanted others to see.

He mentioned in his reply note that he had an excuse if I wanted to hear it, but I was beyond caring at that point. So, not happy about having to push for a refund, but I have no further grounds to complain. Just hope that the artist does the responsible thing for Wesfox and refunds them in a timely manner as well.

Although I suspect ChimeraSynx will not be offering commissions any time soon, if they do I would definitely think very hard about paying them any money up front.

[v-e-r-a.livejournal.com]

This is all really unfortunate to hear, I never even knew she took commissions. It's sucky how she says you've basically been put at the bottom of the list for being more understanding than the others. Way to punish patience. I know she had trouble keeping disciplined/inspired long enough to make even personal art (you can see how infrequently she posts even before disappearing), so I'm not sure what made her think taking commissions would be a good idea.

I used to chat with her in IM, but I've long since used another name and forget my login info and her handle >.< *not helpful*

(in other news, I got my new stylus today and you'll at least be getting a long-overdue commission from me soon) x3

(frozen)

[rainbow-gash.livejournal.com]

*he

(frozen)

[v-e-r-a.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure why everyone presumes she's a he. She told me herself she didn't let the public know her gender so people wouldn't judge her for it. (Guess it doesn't matter now since she's disappeared)

(frozen)

[rainbow-gash.livejournal.com]

I knew him before he was Synx, granted there was drama between him and a good friend of mine so I stopped associating with him- but IIRC the whole Synx thing is more of a persona, but he isn't transgendered or anything and identifies as a male. *shrug*

(frozen)

[kerstin-orion.livejournal.com]

What gender the artist goes by is not relevant to the issue with the commission. I am freezing this thread; please do not continue this discussion.

[taasla.livejournal.com]

Wow. I've always respected her work and admired it. I remember when she opened up for commissions. This is a real shame to see this, and I hope you get it resolved.

[four-calamities.livejournal.com]

This may not be of too much help as Nabyn is invite-only, but they are a member there under WhiteCrayons (http://whitecrayons.nabyn.com/). They haven't logged in for some time, however.

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen them online on any site for several months.

[vraivrai.livejournal.com]

I talk to them on skype occasionally. I sent them a link to the journal, I dunno when they'll see it but I'll keep you in mind next time we talk! :>

[wesfox.livejournal.com]

I really do appreciate it. Thank you :)

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Please reorient yourself with the community rules:

2. Whatever happens in the community, stays within the community. Do not go to the offender's LJ or art site account and harass them, or contact them any other way if the matter under discussion does not regard you personally. THIS COULD GET YOU IMMEDIATELY BANNED!

I understand you are trying to help, but LJ's harassment rules are very strict.

[vraivrai.livejournal.com]

I apologize. I only offered to take the message since it seemed like wesfox wanted to get in contact with chimerasynx, and synx doesn't like their information being given out.

[feather-dancer.livejournal.com]

What livejournal can't see in a public forum it can't judge :)

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Yes, and unfortunately due to LJ's strict Abuse rules, we had to make a strict one of our own.

If it were up to us, we wouldn't mind if someone helpful were to contact the other parties, but if it comes back to A_B, then we could be liable and the community could be shut down.

[cappucola.livejournal.com]

I commissioned them long ago, and I remember they didn't take very long on it either. Granted it was only an inked piece, they were still pretty fast with it. I wanna say it took them only 2 months; I wish I knew the exact time but I know it wasn't very long.

they had told me it helped that they really loved the character I had asked them to draw, I guess that had factored into how speedy they were with it, but I hope thats not a big part of the reason why they haven't done the rest of their owed art yet :(

[wesfox.livejournal.com]

Just as an update here, I received an email today from Chimerasynx containing both an apology and an almost finished copy of my commission, with a promise to do some refinement on it prior to posting it on FA.

A much better ending to this story than I'd worried. I'll ping this post again once I have the final version of the image. However I will say that it looks pretty spectacular even as it is right now. :D

[lincard.livejournal.com]

Very cool - hopefully you get something properly completed from all this.

[phineus.livejournal.com]

I've heard he owes quite a few folks on over a year or three of art; I'd paid him some time ago for a con badge but gave up on ever getting it completed. :/

Hopefully you do get your full art in the end, good luck!

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

You should contact them again, it looks like Synx is communicating with the OP.

[jackrow.livejournal.com]

Some people don't know their limits to take care of or just rather being lazy telling the truth right into the face and gets overdued over and over and over and so on.

Whoever asks for the complete price before they have shown you any evidence previously such as sketches, DO NOT PAY.

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Many artists ask for money up front and have no problems delivering work. A sketch still takes skill and time and deserves to be compensated for.