How long is too long?

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

First, thanks everybody who helped me and my fiance Nica locate Astral Abortion. We're still waiting for our badges, but we have contact through a friend of his so we can stay updated (thank you very much).

I commissioned other artists during AC [July 2 - 5], and they have their reasons for why I've yet to see progress. This leads me to the following question:

How long is too long to wait even for a premier sketch? I paid anywhere from $35 - $50+ for these commissions, and I've yet to see anything. When (if I end up having to) should I ask for a refund? I have kept my AnthroCon receipts, so I know exactly how much to get back just in case.

All artists in question are active, are in contact, have been paid, and have references.

Edit:  In response to a suggestion here, I asked one of the artists if they needed my references again.  They said "yes, please."  So maybe that will result in something. ^_^' I guess they were a bit embarrassed.

Comments

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

How long have you been waiting? Not everyone knows when AC is.

Do bear in mind that often just after conventions artists are absolutely flooded or otherwise busy, so that may affect how long it takes.

Generally it depends on the artist, some clear their lists fast, some clear them really slow. It's a good idea to always ask an artist for a turn around time or a deadline so you don't have to wonder so much.

[rah-bop.livejournal.com]

Every artist has their own speed, and I know a lot of artists experience burnouts after cons. I think you should ask the artists you commissioned if you have any questions or concerns. It could be that they misplaced your info while traveling or something.

[rah-bop.livejournal.com]

Oh, by the way, I have been trying to get in touch with Astral Abortion as well. I must have missed your original post about it. Sorry. Do you know what happened to him?

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

He has no 'net for a while. He's alive tho and the badges (if you got one at AC) are done.

[rah-bop.livejournal.com]

oh, okay. It's actually the opposite for me -- he commissioned me at AC and now I'm trying to send him his badges. I just need his address.

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

No clue, but go a page or two back. Look for NicaNightspot's post. Maybe you can get in contact with him through a friend of his who replied.

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

Honestly, it might be a bit early to be tossing around asking for a refund, but it's good that you kept proof you paid.

Did any of the artists say the commission would be done at the con? Start with them, remind them they told you that, and ask for some progress.

Those that took the work home, I'd contact and get a time frame agreed on with them.

It's only been a little over two months since AC, I wouldn't say anyone is being slow at this point, unless they've promised finished art by a set date and haven't done it, or at least shown some progress.

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

"Honestly, it might be a bit early to be tossing around asking for a refund"
That's why I came here to ask if and when. I know it's a bit early right now, but I wanted people's opinions just in case.

[maddogairpirate.livejournal.com]

I still hold six months as the general rule unless something else is agreed-upon. People are busy, people's interest fluctuates, etc., but once six months hits and you've asked a time or two about it, that's refund time in my opinion.

There's some variability for complexity of the project. Badges, for example, shouldn't really take more'n 3 months. Fully painted/shaded works, though, I give six.

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's about the same time-frame I was thinking.

[anjel-kitty.livejournal.com]

It's been... 3 months since AC. I think a polite, :Hey was just curious about my commission, and if you can give me a possible ETA for when it will be finished" is always good to do by this point.

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

There's one artist in general I'm going to ask come next week. I want to see if there's any expected time frame with them or if I can see their commission queue.

[likeshine.livejournal.com]

i'm still working down my queue from AC, but everyone from then has at least seen a sketch, and i've been completing the badges in the order i took them at the con.

so, drop your artist a line and ask whats up? just be cool. i had all mine sketched out over a month ago, but completing them is taking forever and i feel terrible :/

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

Ok, thank you. See, I was expecting a sketch from a couple of these artists a week or two after the con (as what I was told). So, a 'what's up?' might be appropriate within a week or so. It's been about two weeks since I last contacted one who asked me to contact them less often.

[likeshine.livejournal.com]

wait, that was your first time contacting them and they told you not to do it?

edit: i mean, after one email they told you you were emailing too much? that is not cool

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

No, this was probably the third time. I was contacting them every week / week and a half since AnthroCon. They started back in college again and I asked them if they wanted me to contact them less, and they said yes and asked me to do so.

So that was my consideration to them.

[coyox.livejournal.com]

Do you want me to kick someone's ass Star?

BCUZ I WILL

[starchildebrite.livejournal.com]

No, no I don't need that... yet. :P