BEWARE: PIRATE-CASHOO

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

Artist in Question:

Pirate-Cashoo
zombiepirate

URL where they base their business out of:

http://pirate-cashoo.deviantart.com
http://www.furaffinity.net/user/pirate-cashoo
http://pirate-cashoo.tumblr.com  (They request commissions here, too)
http://www.hentai-foundry.com/user/zombiepirate (WARNING –NSFW  adult site)
http://pirate-cashoo.sofurry.com

Time Period:

ORIGINAL REQUEST/INQUIRY MADE via email: MAY 10 2012

PAYMENT MADE 50%: $75.00 May 11, 2012 (PAYPAL)

PAYMENT MADE REMAINING 50%: $75.00 May 26, 2012 (PAYPAL)
FIRST DRAFT: MAY 26 (It was approved by me)
2nd DRAFT: New sketch sent to me (She wasn’t happy with the original) September 15, 2012.
3rd DRAFT: Another new sketch OCTOBER 3, 2012
LINEART: OCTOBER 17, 2012
NEW ETA for FINISHED PRODUCT: 7 days (or so) from Oct 17, 2012.
INQUIRIES: about progress/status: Nov 8, 15, 18th (2012).... no replies
NEW REPLY From PC: Nov 19, (2012) (after post to AB, unrelated)
UPDATE: From PC: Nov. 22.:   Apologies for not keeping deadlines
UPDATE: From PC: Nov 22.: Colored draft *YAY!!!* Finally. I think this may almost be resolved.
UPDATE: NEW REPLY From PC: Dec 2.: She has given me the deadline of Dec 21st and offered a free sketch in compensation for the trouble.
UPDATE: PC posted a public apology on DA and FA admitting her poor practices: http://pirate-cashoo.deviantart.com/journal/An-open-letter-to-all-of-my-customers-341302281 'm not sure if this changes anything, though unless she changes the way things are going. I sent her an email with lots of advice and tips on how she could better her freelance strategies but it seems others are doing this, too. I got a reply that was similar to her journal - I don't believe she really wants any advice or help even though people are trying to help. Stubborness isn't going to fix this problem.
UPDATE: DEC 2: New Promised deadline of Dec 21 offered and aggreed to by Cashoo. I sent her a reminder on the 19th about this, too.
UPDATE: DEC 22: Just received my FINISHED PIECE! FINALLY! YAY! It is BEAUTIFUL and she put a lot of work into it. So I am happy I got it at least. I will mark this resolved.


Item(s) Ordered:

2-PERSON Full-body COLORED SKETCH WITH LINEART.
PRICE QUOTED/GIVEN: $150.00

(Basically, I asked for something similar to this: http://fav.me/d4tbnqj) 2 characters, no wings or anything crazy. JUST HUMANS with no detailed background.


Proof of Purchase: PAYPAL:



Explanation of Situation:

Note: I am not accusing PC of being a scam-artist, but some serious business standards need to be reinstated and adhered to by this artist as clients like myself are getting very upset about her current practices. This needs to be addressed.
I did my research before even making my purchase with her and thought it was a safe bet. The issue here is communication/miscommunication/missed deadline/turnarounds and ridiculously slow response times, etc.
Many times over I had almost suspected she had taken my money and run, but then weeks later, I'd get a response apologizing for another ridiculously long wait of weeks or even months between letters.
I'm still waiting on my finished piece long past the original deadline of June 15th, 2012 though.

Here's how this has gone:

I had been watching Pirate-Cashoo on Deviant art for some time when I noticed she FINALLY opened up her commissions. HERE IS THE DA JOURNAL I RESPONDED TO: http://fav.me/d4zcncw

She states here: “These will be done within the month/by June 15th. Or if you have a particular deadline, let me know! Depending on the complexity, one commission can take up to 3 days total to finish. I'm really trying to push myself as an artist with these.”

I got a reply back that day (May 11th) with the estimate ($150) and where to send the paypal money. She said I could pay half now and the other half after I got the sketch, which is what I did.

The sketch came May 26th and following it, I paid her the rest (SAME DAY): $75.00.

I am listing below how things went after that.  I have documented them here though often her replies were so huge that I truncated some of them in the screenshots.

She has also been taking MORE commissions every few weeks/months since I ordered mine.

First ETA: MAY 11

“You'll receive a preliminary sketch within the next 7 days or so to look over before I hop into it.”

SKETCH RECEIVED: MAY 26. (2 weeks)

No reply after I approved the sketch.

NEXT MESSAGE SENT: Jun 12

No reply.

I wrote again JUL 25:

PROOF:

“I am writing you because it's been over 2 months since I've heard anything from you and I wanted to know if you could just give me an update on my commission. I don't mean to bother you, but I sent you the payment in FULL already 2 months ago back when you showed me the sketch, and I haven't heard a thing since. (If you need the paypal Invoice #'s just ask)

I am not upset about the time frame, I just feel that as a paying client, I should at least be kept in the loop about what I paid for.”

REPLY: JULY 25 “Ohh my goodness, I'm so sorry! I was in the middle of the lineart, but I was thinking about partially redoing the sketch, because it's got some serious anatomical issues, and I've improved my anatomy since then.” and a big story about all sorts of “troubles....” she’s having.

SECOND ETA:  “I should be getting to yours within the next week or so. I hope you understand.” (AS OF JULY 25)

NEW INQUIRY: SEPT 3:

PROOF:

“I was wondering, Have you been able to make any additional progress on my piece yet? Last time I heard from you was July 25th - so, it's been over a month and I've not heard anything still.... You had mentioned getting to it in a week or so, but I've not gotten any updates since then.”

REPLY FROM CASHOO:

SEPT 8

Apologies, etc etc.... and   “I'll be spending the next 2-3 days finishing up all sketches that haven't been done yet, which will include yours. I've redone yours a couple times and tossed them, but I think I've decided on what I'd really like this time!”

“...But I'll be finishing your commission within the next two weeks FOR SURE”

SEPT 13: FROM CASHOO

“Well, I just spent the last ten minutes bawling my eyes out.

I just...I just shut my computer down for the night, and apparently I didn't save. I...I don't know why my program didn't ask to save before I closed it. I seriously cannot believe it. It was so good, too... great pose and composition and everything. I.... seriously, seriously can't believe it. Oh my goodness...”

Accidents happen, I get that, too.

SEPT 15

I get a new sketch. NOTE: only a sketch.

No more replies after I approved the sketch.

NEW INQUIRY: OCT 2

Proof:



"Hello again

Umm, didn't want to bother you, but any progress on my piece? Were you able to adjust the sketch? I know you mentioned the piece would be done within 2 weeks "for sure" but this was over 2 weeks ago... I didn't want to have to bug you, but I keep seeing new sketches on your tumblr... so... I'm sort of wondering where the heck mine went.”

REPLY from CASHOO:OCT 3

I GET MY NEW SKETCH. *yay*. I APPROVE.

OCT 17:
I GET THE FINAL LINEART AND A REPLY.

PROOF:




REPLY FROM CASHOO:

“I have one commission in which its deadline is the 20th, and it's got a full background and everything, so I unfortunately have to work on that today. BUT, I'll definitely finish yours within the next 7 days or so...the hardest/longest parts are over, and the coloring is simply smooth sailing from here~”

No reply.

INQUIRY 1: NOVEMBER 8

“ I know you're busy but it's been a few weeks since you wrote me and you'd mentioned a while back... 7 days... but it's been 3 weeks now again.

Any progress by chance? I noticed you opened more commissions for xmas, but please be sure to get mine done before you do those since I've been waiting since April/May and it doesn't seem fair that I would have to wait until after xmas.”

No reply.

INQUIRY 2: NOVEMBER 15th

“Hey there, I haven't gotten a reply, so I'm writing again... apparently my messages are getting lost in your mounds of email

I know you're busy but it's been a few weeks since you wrote me and you'd mentioned a while back... 7 days (or so)... OK, I get it - 1 week, 2 week, 3 weeks.... but it's been 4 weeks again and not so much as a reply or an (I'll be late again note) or ANYTHING....&rdquo

etc.

INQUIRY 3: NOVEMBER: 19th

PARTIAL LETTER:

“If you can't finish it for whatever reason or aren't inspired, or just don't want to - than by all means please tell me that or give me a partial refund or something. Otherwise, I just really want some honesty, that's all.

I am a paying "customer" nonetheless and I have the right to know where my product is regardless of the circumstances and I seriously don't think that it is NOT reasonable for any client to INQUIRE about their product they purchased 7+ months after payment, and 4 WEEKS after an estimated delivery time.

I saw on your FA even that you said  in ref to that other person waiting months :  "And, like some other freelance artists out there, a long wait time (about 4+ months, I consider) is guaranteed more effort and detail put into the final product. And if it's been an abnormally long wait time (7-8 months and beyond), there's a 50% discount on whatever next commission the customer gets, even free if the customer is thoroughly displeased."

I'm sorry to be so concerned but we're going on 8 months almost here... You said it yourself: abnormally long wait time.

And then, you gave me another eta over a month ago and no reply since. I mean, I think you can understand why I am still very concerned here... I can still wait if you just asked me to, but I don't appreciate being given deadlines that aren't kept or that I am not even told about changing, etc.”


NEW REPLY AS OF NOV 19th:
This was AFTER my post to AB. Unsure if it was provoked by this or not...

(note: I truncated this a little because there were a bunch more personal family "issues" in there). I didn't think needed to be posted here. Also, she states that she doesn't know why so many people are getting upset with her about turnaround times. It's not just the turnaround times - it's also the money and the fact that we get deadlines that aren't kept, no replies, etc etc.



NEW REPLY: NOV 22.
It's very long, so I will summarize. I just got a new and lengthy letter from PC and although it seems to be thoughtful and kind, I am still empty-handed here. I am a little relieved that she has finally apologized for being terrible at keeping deadlines and "estimates" for turnaround times, but the message contained no further details or wips about my commission either, nor did it mention anything else about when I might get it. I appreciate some of her honesty, here. She is very upset about the whole AB drama, but I have tried to assure her that, despite her suspicions , we are not trying to  "ruin her business". (this is what she has told me she is suspecting of AB). 

She's trying to sound nice about this whole thing and so am I, but niceness doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere and I still don't have any additional wips.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NOV 23.

I sent PC a letter with some advice and bullet points on how I think she could improve her commission process (because it’s not nice to just say someone’s doing something wrong and not tell them how to fix it).

I have finally gotten a colored draft and an honest explaination of how she works and how she runs business - basically deadlines are only kept if the client demands a deadline and all other pieces are worked on when she gets to them. Understood, but I thought I had been given several deadline/etas, but I guess not. So I am starting to believe that alot of these issues are from miscommunication and not keeping estimated turnarounds, etc.

I am finally relieved to know that she's still working on my piece and that I haven't been forgotten. She also told me a lot of things about her work ethics and schedules that opened my eyes to why these are all taking forever (much of it is still not good business practice, but at least I have an explaination now). Much of this is also just miscommunication. I feel a LOT BETTER now knowing all of this, and I wish she’d tell all of her clients the same thing....

Partial letter: “A lot of the problems you've addressed that I've run into are due to sudden changes within this year from my previous years in this line of work. For example, in all of my years of doing this business, I've never had problems or concerns with 4-6+ months of waiting with little contact and no WIPs. Only earlier this year did I start regularly sending WIPs to clients, because I thought it would be a fun idea to do so. Before then, though, the client would pay for the commission, wait a few months, and then receive a message with the completed commission. And it worked out wonderfully, without fail...until these last few months. And it's weird, I'm not sure what exactly has made the change, but ohhh well~

But...obviously, if I want to continue with this commission business, I have to adapt to my environment in order to be successful with it.
Also, I always try to make sure to mention either publicly or to each inquiring customer that they don't have to pay all upfront (most I have are half upfront, and half after completion), and that they can choose a reasonable deadline if they so desire. Those who give me definitive deadlines get their commissions done on time. Otherwise, I assume they don't mind, and I try to mention that beforehand. I have forgotten on occasion, but for the most part I mention deadlines for sure.

Oh! And setbacks can indeed set me back 4-6 months, as I illustrated in my last note to you...I hope that made sense! A commission of your type typically takes about 7 days to complete alone. With a queue of only 15 commissions of the same type already ahead of it in line is about a 4 month wait minimum until the commission is even started. I had about 20, and some of them had three characters and some had detailed backgrounds, which adds a few days to those commissions (typically). The thing that's really killed me is that I've been forced to take more commissions, because my consistent slew of bills can't be met entirely with my commissions, which take too long to complete to keep up with the bills. It's this self-defeating death cycle, and I've dug myself into this hole as a result...

Sadly though, I wasn't aware of how inaccurate my estimated turnaround time was when I took your commission until I started improving my skill and putting more detail into my overall work...and shot myself in the foot in the long run.”

Comments

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

Man...reading this just really bums me out. I've unfortunately seen this trend of hers for a while, and was dreading that she'd end up here if she didn't finish her backlog.

I was waffling on buying art from her for a long, long time, but every time I saw a journal go up asking for work, a little voice inside my head said "Don't do it. She's taking on too much." So I never became a customer.

I'm glad I didn't purchase anything, but I'm sad to see them here. I really -really- hope she gets it in gear and finishes what she owes, and contacts you!

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

Me too, dear. Thank you for the support. I need it at this point!

[kasuned.livejournal.com]

Ugh, and I have been watching her journals, considering getting a bust from her. This is disappointing, because I adore her art, and she's been a big inspiration.

Now I know I won't be buying. Thank you for posting this.

Edit: And I'm wondering how big her backlog is, rn.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

I've seen a variety of different lists from different journals. As to what she's finished I have no clue, but I do know she works on a paysite as well now (hentai devil I think?) So that's even more added work on top of commissions that she's taking on.

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how big her backlog is, but I've heard one person is still waiting from MARCH... so... I don't know. But she just opened Commissions a month ago, too - for christmas... and that seems unfair, too. To finish the NEW ones BY christmas, while I am still waiting.

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, Really?? She's told me several times in replies that commissions are her ONLY sole source of income. :(

[taasla.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is really upsetting. Like Neo and Kas up there, I had actually been putting money aside to hopefully commission her. It's not often I spend that much in one go, so this was definitely going to be a treat for myself. Thank you for posting this. I'll just hold off.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

Ahh she might consider paysite work to be commission work. Or contracted work, which all falls under the freelance-blanket.

[svarta perlan (from livejournal.com)]

Glad to see this is up... I was so close to making my own post about her.

So, here is my story/experience with her as well... I apologize in advance if this seems confusing. Trust me, I'm pretty confused myself. All I know is, pirate-cashoo owes me (and a friend who is sharing one commission with me) ~$285 worth of art.

Back in March this year, on March 11th to be exact, I paid her $70 for a colored sketch commission of two characters, minimum background. On August 10, I finally received a rough/initial sketch. Yep, she took 5 months to deliver the rough preview sketch!

In the meantime, I had been discussing the possibility of a hi-res commission with her, as she had opened for some slots. That fell through, though, due to (SURPRISE, SURPRISE) failure on her part to communicate with me.

Now, let's fast forward a bit... and at all times keep in mind, she is quick to respond when money is on the way, but communication ceases to be important to her as soon as the cash is in. That's my experience, anyway.

Now, the fast forward... me and a friend of mine had for a while discussed getting a hi-res piece from her of our characters together. So back in... late August, early September, when she opens for a batch, I quickly message her for a slot. After much discussing, the final total comes to $185, which is paid on September 3rd and 4th. Ok, not that long ago, BUT... On September 18th I also send her $30 for a full body sketch, as she was offering discount sketches on her tumblr page. I had to ask her a couple of times if she received the payment, and when she finally responded and said she wasn't sure, I forwarded the paypal email statement to her as proof.

About a month ago, she opens for more commissions on FA and I express my concern about the owed art... and shortly after I notice that one of the examples she's using is unmistakably my character! So, she drew her... but never showed it to me... and her excuse? It wasn't FINISHED yet.

Let me be clear, though... it took opening a case on paypal against her to get her to reply to me. And finally on October 12th I receive wall of text, full of excuses, but also plenty of sweet talking... saying I'm her favorite customer as I'm always so nice and patient (no, I'm a pushover, that's what I am), and also a promise to have my image from March 11th finished in 2 weeks time, also expressing that my $185 hi-res image and the "unfinished" sketch will take priority over other work. She also offered to upgrade my images, the colored sketch would be more like a hi-res image, and the hi-res image would be lineless. AND... she also offered me a FREE FULL BODY COLORED SKETCH as compensation, something I will absolutely not "forget" about.

On October 13th she showed me a slightly-more-worked-on preview of my colored sketch since March, but since then...? Nothing. No further previews, no updates.

I had forgiven her... cancelled the case on paypal, we were chatting a bit by email for a few days... then I got ill and had a busy period at school and got delayed in replying to her, but that gives her no excuse to stop working on the art she owes. At this point, I have no desire to correspond with her more than necessary. She has pushed all my buttons, made a completely passive and tolerant person want to punch holes through walls in pure rage. Even more so after discovering how much work she owes other people... it must amount to several thousand dollars at this point.

What ultimately made me lose all faith in her was when she opened for hi-res commission on DA early this month, saying those commissions would be finished by the end of the year and thus ideal as presents. I think I saw at least 3 people, beside myself, expressing concern on that very journal that they were still waiting for overdue work.

All I ask is to have my 3 commissions and the free colored sketch, then she'll never have to worry about hearing from me ever again as I have no desire to work with someone so unprofessional and unorganized, ever again.

Summary: Owes me (and a friend who is sharing a commission with me) $285 worth of art, the oldest piece since March 11th. Poor communication, endless promises, constant "troubles" on her end that cause delays... and yet she always has time to open for more commissions!

[radiocatastrophe (from livejournal.com)]

Saddened to see her here again, I went ahead and purchased one of her HQ commissions when she was moving, I've already gotten the sketch for it and everything. Just hope she finishes it, I'm really looking forward to it and I don't want to have to be another customer posting her here. I know there's plenty more folk who ordered commissions from her the same time I did.

[taasla.livejournal.com]

I had to ask her a couple of times if she received the payment, and when she finally responded and said she wasn't sure

That's really distressing when we're talking three figures here.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

I know it's a big undertaking and you've said a few times you don't have the patience - but if you ever feel up to it, making your own beware would help as it would add to her already growing tag. Thank you for sharing your experience here though either way!

[svarta perlan (from livejournal.com)]

I'm giving her one last chance... If she fails to come through, I'll have to set aside a day or two to sort through these emails and notes and paypal statements... seriously, not an easy task. The whole thing is a mess!

I'm a horrible pushover... and always willing to give chances... but this is the very last time. I'll have my own AB post ready to share in a few days if there's no progress. For now, rooting for the original poster as I know just how much anxiety this must have caused her, having gone through it myself!

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

You really should just cut and paste this to a new post by yourself, too - it might help with the fight. I mean, maybe just a screen shot or 2 even will be plenty good.

This is all so horrible to read, too :( ....

^_^ Thanks dear for your support so much!!!

[cyiakanami.livejournal.com]

So glad you posted! I do hope to actually see a full beware if she doesn't pull through. Every bit helps.

frightening

[sonja preiß (from livejournal.com)]

I am saddened by all the bad experiences with her.
I'm waiting on my commission for only 3 months.
That's nothing compared to the waiting times that I had read here.
I also got a response only after I wanted my money back.
There she has apologized quite often and asked for understanding.
It makes me stunned to read, how long you have to wait.
She should not accept any more commissions. That is really unfair. Moreover, she can not even catch up the backlog.
I have understanding for every situation! But offer more commissions, without the rest of us are ready, will completely destroy her reputations.
It is time to admit the mistake.
I would be interested, the list of open Commissions.
I shall now put in for a long wait. The main thing you can get now only once finally your pictures!

Before I forget. A few days ago she told me that she sends me my first sketch, after I told her that I want my money back. I never got a sketch. I feel lied to me and put off. How many others here.

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

She seems very disorganized =/ her work is beautiful but no customer should have to go through all this trouble just to try and get what they paid for.

[cyiakanami.livejournal.com]

I'm also saddened to see this as I am a huge fan of her art. But I think it's a matter of poor business management, and popularity overload that's causing these issues.

She has soooooo many sites she runs around on, opening randomly here and there on what seems like each of them. I can't even manage that many without confusing who is who and what is what. And on top of it, her total que list has yet to be posted and complied.. and I'd almost be afraid to see that.

I do hope everyone she owes gets their art or a refund. And I specially hope she starts to manage things a lot better then what it seems like she's been doing.

Re: frightening

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting here and for your support. I hope she gets your sketch to you soon, too.

[germanchoclates.livejournal.com]

"I've been getting a lot of messages from a lot of worried customer's lately."

That would have been the hump that broke the camel's back for me. That line alone is riddled with red flags that would have had me completely paranoid.

Considering I watch her on FA and knew of her other posting places (save for one) I was really appalled by her practices. I feel like she'd open for commissions and I'd never see her post anything in regard to them before suddenly opening another round and asking for money up front while saying she was broke. How on earth would she ever expect to give a refund?

Then on every journal I'd see people asking about their commissions.

I, for one, do NOT want to know what her backlog looks like. It has to be absolutely mortifying.

Personally I think she's becoming a different version of Starfinder, or at least a different side of the same coin.

[anastasia-gg.livejournal.com]

Yes, that line bothered me a bit too actually. ( Just to think about how many is "a lot" even..?)

[germanchoclates.livejournal.com]

Who knows, but I have to guess it's a number high enough to cause concern. Either way, no excuse to just...ignore customers or do not do the work.

[tifaria.livejournal.com]

What a shame. I've watched her develop as an artist for years and have admired how hard she's worked. I only watch her on DA, so I had no clue about all her other accounts (though even there it seemed like she was opening up commissions quite a lot). Yikes.

[creepymaggie.livejournal.com]

I know a few people have mentioned this amidst their paragraphs, but it's important to note she indeed always takes full payments up front, which seems to leave countless people wondering about the commission status long after the Paypal protection can be used ( I think). I think buyer protection is 45 days. So unless she administers a refund, these people will never see their money again. I also think she has some kind of no-refund policy.
I've seen her re-opening commission slots all the time, and in every journal there are people who paid her months back desperate for her to reply back to them, snd she never seems to. What I don't understand is the number of people buying into the commissions slots regardless, even though there are comments littered everywhere that she's extremely late on other peoples art.
I read above that people are being nice and forgiving, but it seems she always has some kind of excuse when she finally posts art as to what terrible thing has happened in life preventing her from working on commissions.
..and then 3 days later, she opens a bunch of slots for more money.
Having nice artwork doesn't excuse her behaviour. If she worked for a company, she couldn't be 7 months late for a deadline and expect to be paid, or even keep her job. So why so many of her jaded customers are putting up with being treated so poorly I don't understand. Good artist or not.
They should all create AB's. People are signing up for commissions from her right now~ does anyone truly think she will get these huge lineless paintings done BY christmas for them? Or will they get them sometime next summer? If at all.

[cyiakanami.livejournal.com]

It's like a train wreak. One I'm sure a lot of people have seen from a ton of other artists over the years and your point also still baffles me. It's like people have blinders on and only see the art work and by the time they realize they made a mistake, it's far too late to fix anything financially and here we are.
Think starfinder is possibly a good example of this.

It's like, you want to scream and shout at these people,"Don't just don't!" But.. sadly, as far as I can tell, it doesn't stop them.