2 years to long.

[reiofhope.livejournal.com]

Okay, I’ve been very hesitant about brining this situation up in public, but I’m quite frustrated at this point, so here it goes.

I commissioned a partial fursuit from chapeljax back on July 31, 2004, right after Anthrocon. I paid the full amount immediately of 470 USD via paypal and sent my character reference at that time as well. It has been 2 years and I have seen nothing but a single arm paw (photograph) since then. I have emailed repeatedly, attempting to establish completion dates at –least- 2 months in advance. All attempts have failed. I have been informed that my suit is 65% complete. I have asked to see photos, which I think is quite reasonable considering the circumstances, yet I have not been granted any (save for the arm stated above). If even a foamed head or –something- that would put me at ease a little. I have emailed Jax twice in the past week + a few days and have received no response. I posted in his LJ, where he informed me that the first email did not go through. I emailed the second time and have not received any reply. Does he not answer his gmail account? Do I have the wrong email or what? I know fursuit construction is –not- easy work, but neither is continuing to be ever so patient after shelling out 470 USD for a service over 2 years ago and having almost nothing to show for it.

Wow. Any one else having issues?

I apologize and I’m not trying to get the wambulance involved, but I think I have a right to say –something-.

Comments

[banrai.livejournal.com]

Man, I have seen SO many posts about Jax and how she has done so many people bad, not only with suits but with art as well. :/ It's sad because her work rocks.

[reiofhope.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know. I absolutely adore his fursuits and artwork. He's a talented individual, there's no doubt about that. I've debated for months now whether to 'rock the boat', but I believe its time for a wake up call.

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

I recall hearing that Jax had some kind of personal disaster a while back that screwed up a lot of his completion dates. But unfortunately everything I've heard suggests that he hasn't been handling it in a terribly professional manner. Which sucks, because he work is very, very good and he seems like a nice guy. I really don't know what you can do at this point...

[slycat.livejournal.com]

The biggest problem with Jax is as you say the unprofessional way he's managed it. Just an email saying how things are. Realistic ETA, etc. Things to put his customer's minds at rest... It's been very stressful comissioning Jax as the suit I was after missed FC and it's looking likely to miss EF too.

[moonstone-wind.livejournal.com]

Man I feel for you sadly I was lucky to get partial refund from Jax as it was when I should have either gotten full or the said fur I purchased for the commission sent to me cause I DID pay for it... yeh jax sadly is a great artist and suit maker but totaly unprofessional wich is really discoraging I know at least 3 ppl waiting on suits and or items for 3+ years now myself.

[reiofhope.livejournal.com]

Only a partial refund and not even the fur your money paid for? I feel that is utterly wrong for you not to get a full refund in this situation, be it fur or money.

[keihound.livejournal.com]

I hate to say it, but I'm in the same boat as you. Exactly 2 years, a decent sum of money paid, and all I've recieved is an image of the fur that'll be used to make Kei. I respect that fursuits are extremely hard to build, but you have to dedicate yourself to a level of professionalism if you're going to take them on as commissions.
I hate to even open my mouth about this, but it is getting ridiculous now - and to hear it's happening to others is saddening.

[reiofhope.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree, especially commissions of such a large amount of money. I'm really sorry to hear that after 2 years that a picture of fur is all that you've been assured with, I notice that there are a large number of commissions older than mine (I think) that are still at the elusive 10% marker. Eek *snug*!

[wolf-goat.livejournal.com]

I know so many people who are in the same position with Jax. It's getting absurd. Yes, apologies have been made and supposed public updates on the status of the commissions - why have these not changed in 6 months, is it? If she's not doing any work then she NEEDS to refund people - including materials for that matter, since it's entirely her own fault.

Even personal issues do not excuse the way she is acting with her customers. It is my firm opinion that someone needs to pursue legal action because nothing else is going to get through that this is VERY serious.

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

I suspect that Jax had dug himself into a hole. If he's spent the money that he got two years ago, and doesn't currently have any money, he can't refund people. (I don't know for sure, but that seems likely.) It's the one worry I have, should somebody decide to demand a refund from me. Sometimes by the time the suit is finished, the money is gone! Bills need paying. But I've never not finished something, I just worry and fret anyhow. What if they don't like it, what'll I do?! (Happily it hasn't happened yet.)

[snowfox19.livejournal.com]

Stupid sugestion I know but if the said person is not responding to emails and its been two years then why not file a dispute through paypal. They will investigate it and freeze her account until the matter is settled.

[wolf-goat.livejournal.com]

You can only do that within a few months, unfortunately.

[madd-tom-kit.livejournal.com]

Never comission someone with a name that starts with "Ja"?

[growing-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm curious as to who else started with Ja that you might be referring to? I can't think of anyone offhand.

[growly.livejournal.com]

Okay, this is very off-topic... but WHAT is your icon a picture of?? I've seen at least one other person with the icon and I still can't tell what it is. o_o

[enerjak.livejournal.com]

Hey I'm Jak, *Enerjak, but still XD*
And I've been commissioned 100+ times and promptly got everyone's commissions! Don't spread nasty rumors. XD XP

[shinmaxwell.livejournal.com]

Can't say I don't understand. I'm still waiting on two LJ icons (obviously not as expensive) that I paid for a year ago.

[theassassinnox.livejournal.com]

His communication stills are severly lacking, but I received pictures of my completed head and tail last week. He is still working on things. Don't give up hope yet. Yes, it is unprofessional to have this large a backlog, and he NEEDS to improve his communication skills, but he is not ripping anyone off. I am a firm believer that he is working through his list slowly. His page has not opdated in a long time, but I have seen pictures of projects, things are being done, though it may not look like it at the surface.

~Shadow

[skanrashke.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, huge backlogs are a part of making fursuits or any other 'well wanted' thing.
Some people say "I want a commission!"
"OK. I'm backed up till X"
"Thats okay, I'll wait"
Of course, they assume by your saying this, that they'll be the first ones on the list: To say you're backed up till a certain date means just that: That the backing will clear up at that date, leaving a thinner herd of things to do. People assume you say "I won't be able to get to it until halloween", and then on halloween they expect their goods.
Having a hefty backlog myself, I can understand what Jax is going thru, although if he isn't contacting anyone at all, thats his fault. But if his customers are being dooshes- contacting him every day, sending repeat emails in a week, etc, then he's probobly too busy answering them to actually get any work done.
As far as his financial situation: I Think all he does is make fursuits for a living? So while he should be able to get to them sooner by this logic, it also means his financial holdings are shaky (I have a regular job in addition, in case the fountain dries up, and in case I do spend all the money for a suit, say, for rent, or food or something(pr0n?); then I'll have the funds available to purchase the mats out-of-pocket(As I have to do with one suit I'm making)); but some people aren't up for this, so who knows? *Shrugs*
As well, remember that the people making these suits are people, too. Hell, I get tierd of making them after a bit, so I'll do three days worth of work on 'em every week, rather than seven(Which is what most people expect), and I set unrealistic goal-dates for myself in an attempt to please everyone. However, I do keep my shit posted constantly(At least twice amonth), to keep folks up on my progress, and if I don't finish something entirely by the duedate: WATCH OUT! Furries turn into raving madmen if their shit doesn't get finished on a date *you* set for them, when they say "Take your time, its' fine". Geh. Loads of bad experiences with furries.

Anyways, I'm not sure he's ripping anyone off. He's probobly broke, so can't afford batteries for his camera to post shit. Happened to me occasionally back in the day. Then again, who knows? I wouldn't doubt jax because he's taken two years, tho.
Look at skribblefox(Five years for a fursuit and no one complains about this guy.)

[reiofhope.livejournal.com]

Phew, that's good to know! Hey, your head looks really great!!! I'm so excited to see that you're pleased with it and that there's a little bit of light at the end of a dark tunnel, so to say. I think the communication issue is what has stired me up the most. That and, being denied progress photos on all occasions asked. I believe too, that he will complete every piece on that list eventually, and with utmost care for the quality of his work, but I'm justly alarmed at the inactivity over the past 6+ months and want nothing more than to get a message across that "Hey I'm still here and Halloween is just around the corner, for the -3rd- time..."

[neo53.livejournal.com]

I can speak on behalf of a friend, who contacted Jax last september about getting a full suit done, asking Jax specifically if SHE had the time to complete it by FC06 deadline and she said it would be no problem "It only takes a week to finish a suit" according to her.

Well, as everyone says, Jax's lack of communication is disturbing. And she lied to us TWICE about the suit and how complete it was or wasnt. She said she had the fur and stuff one week...then a month later said she had to wait to order fur. When we did finally get the suit, IN MARCH, it was rushed, head needed to be REPAIRED IN TWO SPOTS (because lack of craftmanship quality) and modified the eyes a little because they were horrible. Ontop of that, the suit was supposed to be able to become a partial - NEVER DONE. The black markings, WHERE VERY OFF! Hand paws looked like clumps of pillows! THE SUIT DID HAVE DIGIGRADE LEGS, EVEN THOUGH MY FRIEND SHELVED OUT THE MONEY FOR IT! Suit is HUGE on my friend...and...its just sad.

Its so bad, I have to make a new body suit for my friend when I go to visit him at the end of the month.

And what ticks me off, is that we gave Jax A CHOICE to back out of the commission so not to "overload" herself. She kept saying the suit would be done on time...and yeah well, the suit isnt Jax Quality. EVEN THE FUR WAS DONE WRONG, and the zipper placement was...oh man.

My sister has a Jax bodysuit with full digigrade legs from 2 years ago, I think, and its GORGEOUS!

If I want my friend, I would demand a refund, or a total new suit.

Not one thing my friend asked for the suit to be done with/as was done. One one, except for the speices and breed the suit is.

(And for those Jax followers. It was the Border Collie Suit from earlier this year that I am talking about).

Jax. I know you're reading this. Its time for you to spill it, hun. I have a lot of friends who have been screwed...and ya just gotta clean up your act hun. Ya gotta.

Thank god I got my suit done by someone else ~shudder~

[neo53.livejournal.com]

Suit DID NOT have digigrade legs...oops...typo O.o;;

[chaotikat.livejournal.com]

What I dont get.. why take so much commissions at the same time? I try to only take as much on me as I can finish within a week/two weeks. Then when my hand screws up (heaven knows that happens far too often) or other disaster strikes, I only have a little backlog.

It seems weird to take commissions that you wont be able to finish until many years down the line. That may just be me...

I refuse to be paid ahead. I dislike owing people. It always ends up bad.

[dinogrrl.livejournal.com]

Sometimes people overestimate their own ability to get things done quickly. Things can pile up before you know it. *knows as such from school stuff, heh*

[celtic-tiger.livejournal.com]

I've never dealt with him personally, but I hear things like this all the time, which is a shame since his work is good.

[auroralockwood.livejournal.com]

In his defense, he did finish my bat suit and she was amazing.... But I know so many others who have had problems with him. :(

[darkentiger.livejournal.com]

I'm been waiting 2 year for a pair of shoulder high claws, and i still don't have them...