Need an advice..

[olvenslife.livejournal.com]

Hello there!
Could someone please give me an advice on what can be done? o.o
I'm getting nervous about one commission I already sent and received money for. I sent it... hmm... in te end of January. And the commissioner didn't get them yet (I sent the commission via air mail to Asia, guess that can't take this long!).
I'm pretty worried. It didn't even arrived back. It just... got somehow lost. Did it ever happen to you that the commission actually got lost during transport? o.o How did you solve such problem?
I dunno what to do... will probably have to wait some more time and if then nothing happens, I'll draw another commission or send the money back but it doesn't pay out at all. -.-

Comments

[gymnopedie.livejournal.com]

did you add a tracking number so you could see where it is? (That's a BIGGY. all your other commissions, pay for the tracking, it can be a lifesaver with updates to let them know where it is, or if it's headed back your way.)

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

Some overseas shipping doesn't allow for Tracking, since it passes into other shipping services other than UPS/USPS. I've never been able to track to Asia myself.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

I couldn't track to Kazakhstan.

[emlan.livejournal.com]

Ofcourse thigns get lost in the mail and and then, but if it's art I hope you have it scanned big enough to be able to print, that would help it a bit.
If you didnt scan it before sending it out, then it it something you need to start doing!

[olvenslife.livejournal.com]

Hmm... made a full resolution scan of the arwork. Fortunatelly. <.< Maybe I could offer print of the art if it is really lost plus some another piccy...
Thx

[thaily.livejournal.com]

A print is good, a sketch to help make up for it may be good as well, personally I'd think twice about doing a full image.

Personally, and this is my opinion, I don't think the artist isn't responsible for the art arriving safely beyond proper packaging and labeling. Unfortunately the postal services in all countries can lose items and it sucks, I know from personal experience that you can feel terribly guilty and responsible, but it's not the artists' responsibility. When you ship an item it's out of your hands.

The only thing you can do is send it signed and get a tracking number etc. but that usually costs extra (and as mentioned isn't possible to each country), and if the buyer is responsible for the shipping costs it's their responsibility to ask for tracking/insurance/etc.

Though you might want to do it anyway if you suspect the customer is trying to rip you off and guilt you into sending more than you owe them ofcourse.

[sickeleye.livejournal.com]

I, personally, have never had anything lost in transit, but the farthest I've ever shipped is to London from Colorado.

In the future, you might want to protect yourself against such a situation by doing one or more of the following: State publicly (before the commission is even drawn!) that you cannot and will not be held accountable for lost/damaged art due to the postal service; Place extra insurance on the item, so in case it's damaged or lost, you can claim against the postal service and receive compensation for the ammount insured; Save *all* your packaging/postal receipts so you can prove that you *did* pack and ship the item (incase someone accuses you of never even mailing it!)

I have had the postal service take a *long* time, though - sometimes things get turned around, and do end up in the right spot in the end. First, contact your postal service and ask what can be done if the item *has* been lost; when you know your options from that end, I'd still suggest waiting a few more months, just incase your commissioner is being untruthful (gotta be suspicious at first!).

I know you probably feel bad, almost like you've cheated the person, but you shouldn't be held accountable, or be *required* to do more work you haven't been paid for. For now, I'd suggest giving your commissioner the best scan of the finished piece, and express your concern - Only if you feel like it should you do more art without compensation. Don't feel pressured.

Anyway, hope it works out =\

[olvenslife.livejournal.com]

I've sent the artwork by air mail, usually it's quite fast (but it can take up to 2 weeks, like it did once to California). I think I'll put some extra insurance on the stuff for the next time... thanks for advice... I usually don't do it because nothing I've ever sent got lost like this.

I feel bad because the commissioner now may start to think I have tricked him. And I may think the same of the commissioner. And I don't want to think anyone such stuff. <.<

I'll probably send a quality print of the work plus some additional art as an apologize. Yes, I know I have been paid for someting I've already finished but I feel responsible for not making insurance on the art. /o.o\

Thx

[lacy.livejournal.com]

I've had one instance in which a package bound for Austria supposedly sat in customs for about two months. Whether or not they contacted the person who was to receive it I've never been completely certain (the customer has always seemed VERY slow at responses, so the possibility exists they did contact them.. and on the other hand, they simply may not have.) It was returned to me by slowest means possible and got here within about 4 weeks of departure.

I'd give it some time, it may come back to you or eventually get to him.

[olvenslife.livejournal.com]

Hmm, this gives me some hope the package got stuck somewhere...
Well... but Australia is pretty far... :}
Thx

[auradeva.livejournal.com]

once I sent art to California and it showed up at my door again over two months later looking like it had been opened by someone and then stapled closed ~_~ The commissioner had never confirmed to me that he'd recieved it but never complained either. The address was correct, too so I don't know what happend besides the post office not knowing if D sixed unicorn tits were a form of terrorist communication needing further study.

I mailed it back to the commissioner with a new envelope at it got there just fine the second time.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

"The address was correct, too so I don't know what happend besides the post office not knowing if D sixed unicorn tits were a form of terrorist communication needing further study."

Cha, further study in the bathroom ;D

[martes.livejournal.com]

I've had problems on EBay of people claiming the package 'never arrived' and demanding a refund. It's a scam that's hard to contest unless you get proof of delivery.

[filthy-animal.livejournal.com]

I waited for a package from Australia once (to America) that took well over 2 months to get to me. I suggest one more month before assuming it's definately lost. Pushing it, I know, but you can tell them that's my opinion if you like.

[izzyferret.livejournal.com]

You don't even need to get the insurance, unless the buyer pays you for it...just presertve your receipt, because I know that they usually have the zip code or general place the package is going to, right on the sales receipt. Or you can get like...and official shipping confirmation or something like that, but that's extra.

ANYWAY. Yeah it's hard to say whether it's just tied up or lost. A friend in Newfoundland send me something here in New Hampshire about two years ago, maybe more, and I never got it.

So all I can say is good luck T_T;