I need some advice.

[fangwoof.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to say any names or name what site these people are on just yet but I will if it all comes down to that. Currently I paid for 2 commissions from 2 different people. I paid for 2 pixel icons from Person 1 and 2 avatars from Person 2. I commissioned the first person on May 4th of 2012 and the second on May 9th of 2012.

Person 1, I have noticed, has been taking multiple commissions at once lately, requires payment upfront, only does one or 2 of the artworks and doesn't do any more before taking other commissions. I have messaged her 2 or 3 times asking about the progress of my commission and every time she says something like "I didn't start on them but I promise I'll do them tomorrow. Sorry." So far I haven't seen any progress on my works or even other people's works.

I have only received half of my commission from Person 2, but only after I sent a note asking about it since I saw her work on newer commissions. That was somewhere around the end of June. I sent her another note asking about my other half today but she ignored my note. I saw that she posted that she was opening for another commission spot and said something along the lines of "I'd really love to do an avatar for someone this time around." (exactly what mine was).

At this point I don't know what to do. Should I ask for refunds? Should I wait a little longer? Should I report?

Comments

[radcatastrophe.livejournal.com]

I'm having a bit of trouble myself poking at a few artists who've owed me around similar times, if it means a lot getting your work from them then try setting up a deadline like many will suggest. Possibly widen the times between asking for updates, and whenever a new commission post is made poke them again asking if they were going to tend to commissions before the newer ones.

People are going to make excuses when they don't wanna do something, it's a fact and though it's unprofessional for someone with a business to do so they're still human. Just don't try and be a bother in the sense of sending a note daily asking the same thing and stalking their profile ya know? But you need to stay persistent with them if you want the art (or refund) though if they've done most I'd wait it out, but if they haven't even started ask for an update (sketch possibly) or they refund you simple as that.

[sbneko.livejournal.com]

For the second one, she's taking quite a bit of time, but I wouldn't go so far as to say she's ignoring your note since you only noted her today. While much more proffesional to reply to you, she may mean to reply later and had other things planned. Or, still not the most proffesional thing but human, she may have put it aside for a minute, got distracted and forgot. I find I forget about notes much more easily then I do my email, but that's also why I only work through email.

I'd give her a bit more time to reply before doing what others would suggest.

[alisea.livejournal.com]

I would request proof of progress or request a refund if they can't produce anything within a reasonable deadline.
Sorry to hear about your wait, hopefully it ends well.

[koohiimonsutaa.livejournal.com]

I hate when people start working on other commissions that came after yours, or even opening commissions before they're done with thier previous ones. :c How do they expect to keep up with everything? Especially when they're proven that they can't. I've run into that so many times.

If you've already been waiting for a couple months, and they're not too busy to do other commissions before yours, I think its time to start complaining.

[copper-season.livejournal.com]

Was there an agreement on when the art would be finished? If there was and the artists are past the due date then I would tell them you want a refund if the art is not finished as per your agreement. If there was no agreement on a due date, then you have to ask yourself how much longer are you willing to wait for the art before resorting to asking for a refund.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Agreed deadline or no, a month+ seems like a long time for an icon. Even if pixel icons are laborious things? And she hasn't started yet?
I'd say, if the other customers just paid her, get a refund while the getting is good.

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

I'd personally check if they have a history of not doing the work (you know who they are, so you can just see if they're listed) and if they are, then I'd go for a refund. If they're not listed, then depending on whether I wanted the art still, I'd either send a note asking for it or the refund by X date.