Update on my other post.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Remember http://community.livejournal.com/artists_beware/77714.html ?

Well, I just got a reply today at some point while I was out, I figured I'd share it with you guys and get some advice. Here's the rather short email:

Kitsune Martin
to me
More options 9:42 am(10 hours ago)
Yeah, I realized it was just flat colors after a second thinking about it, sorreh. I dunno, see if you can go ahead and shade it for me. I'll go get envelopes today or whatever. I dunno if I want to pay FIFTEEN for it, but I asked you to make the port and you're trying so I might as well..

They're doing me SUCH a huge favour by generously being willing to continue the commission that might eventually pay 10-15 dollars, huh?

So, how do you guys recommend I reply? I want to remain polite and honest about not wanting to continue the commission with them. Even though they're... not exactly being polite, I don't want to be rude unless they get all out nasty with me. Any suggestions? :)

ETA: Thanks a lot, you guys. :) This whole thing was making me feel pretty crappy when it first happened, but I feel a lot more confident now.

For anyone curious, I don't intend to finish the commission with this person even if they were to pay MORE than 15 dollars, I just don't want to deal with them anymore. If I can figure out how to work Furbid, I might just put the port up there and then email the link to the commissioner and tell them if they still want it, they can buy it there. If anyone else would be interested in seeing the auction, let me know!

ETA 2: Well, I signed up for Furbid, left it alone a while, then came back about half an hour or so later and was given an error that my account was suspended (?). So I sent an email off to the admin of the site.

Is anyone here knowledgeable with Furbid? I don't really understand how to use it and the FAQ isn't really very detailed. I could use some help, assuming I can get my account activated again.

Comments

[vulgaris.livejournal.com]

Just drop the whole thing and tell them never mind. Even if they were going to pay you a full amount you should always remember the phrase, "Don't Piss Off the Barber." Then block their e-mail account and have no further communications with them.

1.) You are in control of this transaction at all times.
2.) So, Don't be pushed around.
3.) Their drama is not worth your time.

[fragirl.livejournal.com]

Yep I second that. Inform them that you do not have time to deal with them in the nicest way possible :) You have bent over backwards and are basically at this point being paid less than 1.00 an hour with all the time you've spent working with this freak. So sorry you had to go through all of this :(

[gothwings.livejournal.com]

I had a brief thought about this and the way I'd deal with it is to draft up a polite, formal letter informing them of the situation much as any business/person would. Just because you're a furry artist does not mean you are to be treated as less than equal to any other business professional.

"Dear Sir/Madam,

it is with some regret that I do not feel that this transaction will be able to be completed in an amicable manner. Therefore I have decided that it would be in both our best interests that this commission be drawn to a close. I cannot ethically continue to work on this piece of art if payment cannot be secured. Should you wish to continue with this commission I will require a deposit in good faith on your part to pay for that work which I have already undertaken, with the balance to be paid upon completion to a mutually agreed finish."

Or something like that. If I had better details and a clearer mind (I should really stop post at Stupid O'Clock) then I would be able to word this less... nastily I suppose. I have a habit of writing quite vitriolic polite letters when people annoy me.

Anyway, I hope that helps. =^.^=

[xianjaguar.livejournal.com]

I agree with vulgaris.
Be polite about it, but tell them that you decided to terminate the commission. You can just say "I get the feeling you'd rather not commission me, and frankly, at this point, I think terminating the commission would be best for both of us. I am ending our contract.. you no longer have to pay anything, and I no longer am doing a commission for you. Thank you and have a good day."

At this point, he's belittling you by saying you're not even worth $15. That's pretty rude, since it's such a small amount of money. Drop him, and Chalk him up to "people to NEVER accept commissions from again".

[hellhound.livejournal.com]

This person sounds like they're going to hound you throughout the entire process. If you choose to continue with the transaction, get the money before you send them the shaded image. Everything about this person screams 'thief' to me. They were so quick to approve the sketch, then suddenly when they get the finished product, they don't like it anymore. Oh, but now they want it shaded, so they "guess" they'll go through with payment after all... until you DO shade it and send it, when it will undoubtedly be "odd" again and they'll want to drop it. I'm sure, no doubt, you'll end up seeing them around Furcadia with your "subpar" portrait, despite this.
Personally, I couldn't deal with someone trying to insult me into lowering my price. Fifteen dollars is a very small sum. They're being rude and obnoxious.

Either way, good luck with this. I thought it was a very nice portrait. :\

[growly.livejournal.com]

Honest question... how long does it take you, in hours, to make a port from start to finish?

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Hmm... let's see...

I'd say, sketching until I come up with something good, then going over the lineart with the pencil tool, then flat colours, shading, then adding a background? And this isn't counting taking the picture into Furc to check the remappable and then doing any edits for anything that doesn't look right... Around 6-9 hours, if I were to just do it all at once without any breaks at all.

That's probably a long time compared to other artists. d=/

[growly.livejournal.com]

So even on a good day, you're only making about $2.50 an hour. :/
I would think it is time to start charging at least $5-10 more. This also might help weed out the obnoxious buyers.

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

Make them put their money where their mouth is. If they want you to shade it, be frank, tell them you want the cash first.

If they really...don't want to pay (like it sounds like they don't), then you lose nothing at this point.

[xothia.livejournal.com]

"Transaction terminated due to unwarranted rudeness. If you wish to renew your contract, payment will be 30$ up front, without condescending remarks. Thank you"

Seriously dude, anyone who gives you that much grief over 15$ is not worth it. Call it a loss and go do business with civilized people or you're going to get a lot more grief before you see half your money.

[aaaamory.livejournal.com]

That extra $15 is for "rude tax."

[xothia.livejournal.com]

YUP!

[saitenyo.livejournal.com]

I'd definitely ask for the money before completion if you indeed plan on completing it.

I'd also remind them that you told them how much you charge in the beginning and they made no complaint about this until the commission was well under way. If they have a problem with the commission then they need to say what it is, not just that it "looks weird."

Since you seem like you don't want to continue it (and I don't blame you) you could sent her a calm email explaining that the price is $15, you drew what she wanted to the best of your ability, and if she doesn't want to pay for it then she can find another artist.

That last line just sounds like a guilt trip which is childish and unprofessional (I mean..."but you're trying?" wtf?) I have no patience for kids like this.

[likeshine.livejournal.com]

meh, nasty commissioners aren't worth it, i'd say cut your losses and resell the port on furbid!

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

Yea, wtf. I'd be like "I'm sorry, I can no longer continue this transaction because you're an effing choad. Have a nice day, asshat. I hope you know you're supposed to tip your waiters, Stingy McGee". My actual letter would probobly look like this(Because I hate people at this phase of the game)

"WOW! A whole fiteen, massah!? YOU SO GENEROUS BE GIVIN THIS TO POH OLE TOBY! Ooooh.. I GET YO PORTRAIT NOW MASSAH! MM! Ain got no troubles, massah go' me wohkin, someday he set me FREEEEE!
Go Gnaw on a rock you dumb choad. Consider your port sold.. TO SOMEONE ELSE! HAH!"
..okay, yea, well that sums up my feeling son it :)

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

For a while there, I seriously considered copying and pasting that last part and actually sending it. I thought about it for like a good ten minutes. :P

Thanks for making me laugh!