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James

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Everything posted by James

  1. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/879724.html WHO: Gunmouth on FurAffinity WHERE/WHEN: Dealer's Den, Midwest Furfest 2012 WHAT: one character sketch, paid a little extra due to forced perspective I've been attempting to contact Gunmouth in his streams (but he keeps extremely late hours so this is difficult) and over notes/shouts on his FA page to try and keep up with the sketch, which looked mostly completed at MFF but he was willing to take it home and work on it. I paid cash so unfortunately there's no paper trail. The last note I received from him was over a year ago: http://i.imgur.com/WKih6ej.png have been sending notes since but they're not being read according to FA. Three years is an insanely long wait but I don't know how else to get his attention. I mentioned it in the last stream I saw him in and he said he may have misplaced it. In any event, I'd rather a refund at this point. Further proof (best I could gather): http://i.imgur.com/KXWwPDd.png http://i.imgur.com/QFd43Do.png Last note, unread, 4 months ago http://i.imgur.com/8n9jGaJ.png
  2. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/879578.html WHO: Chuuchichu http://chuuchichu.deviantart.com/ https://www.pinterest.com/chuuchichu/ http://chuuland.tumblr.com/ http://chuuland.weebly.com/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/profiles/shadomu/28269981/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/profiles/bunnybutler/30781909/ Where: http://chuuchichu.deviantart.com/ What: May 2014 - Custom character design When: May 2014 Proof: http://imgur.com/a/PbFzw (Contains all the ones listed in this post along with a few extras) Explain: In May 2014, Chuuchichu held an auction where she would design for the winner a custom character from her Nemu species. I won this auction at $220 ($227 overall with fees) on my side account, Celebibonbon (http://chuuchichu.deviantart.com/art/NEMU-Custom-Auction-CLOSED-451902408). My main is Vespisia. Details were exchanged via notes (http://imgur.com/oSNfXGm) (http://imgur.com/e8lgNzr) and payment was made (http://imgur.com/s7QG3ky). We gave each other our Skypes for easier access (http://imgur.com/VvBAogE), and work was begun (http://imgur.com/diHadyl) (http://imgur.com/zpj7ZFN) (http://imgur.com/6QA0QfA). Progress was pretty good; I attended a livestream (I believe it was a Join.Me in the first week of June 2014 or so) and watched get work done on my character and it was nearing completion in just that one session, just needed a few more touches and shading done and some cleaning up to become fully completed. Chuuchichu sent me another note a bit later, inquiring about possibly scheduling a new livestream time to finish up the custom. Unfortunately, I dropped the ball during this part of the exchange, as I took several months to reply, during which time Chuuchichu sent me two notes that were follow-ups inquiring where I was (http://imgur.com/gtze9js) (http://imgur.com/UxXfd76). This part was certainly my fault. I would eventually reply to her in November 2014 (http://imgur.com/35EZWM6), and as can be seen in the screenshot (http://imgur.com/cQ9r61J), the note was read, but never replied to. Months would pass with no response, she had been fairly active before the advent of the custom auction, and afterwards, would be decently active, but I would realize in 2015 she stopped becoming active on DA and her many other sites around spring 2015 it seems. In any case, on Deviantart, I sent her a note in June 2015, asking for an update (http://imgur.com/sQmBgwN). It was not read. I sent her another note on August 2015, that note was also unread (http://imgur.com/BDn6G1N). I recently sent her a note in October (http://imgur.com/4AWfNmr), and that was also unread(http://imgur.com/qSixMt3). I also left a comment on her profile in July 2015 (http://imgur.com/hTogVwO), asking for an update, which was also not replied to. At one point, an old friend of hers contacted me, asking if I might know where Chuuchichu was, because as mentioned previously, she had gone inactive. I replied I did not know, and she expressed sympathies concerning the pending custom, agreeing that it was not a fair deal to me. I also sent Chuuchichu a message on Skype in June 2015 (http://imgur.com/qTdjtfV), which was never replied to. Other attempts included sending an email directly in July 2015 (http://imgur.com/PxRBqwR), and even asking one of her old friends (http://imgur.com/1kvBMOE) and a group she belonged to if they knew where she might have went, but no one had any idea. I began to think perhaps she had a medical emergency or something highly serious and time-consuming at the very least. But last night (11/5/15), I found her Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/chuuchichu/), and it turned out she was active. It seems to be her indeed, and she pinned things just a day or two ago. At this point in time, I am looking into filing a chargeback as multiple attempts to contact her on various platforms have all consistently failed, and she is clearly active. To summarize, 1. $227 commission for a custom character paid and started in May 2014. 2. Last discussion and update was June 2014 2.A. Part of this was definitely my fault as between June and November, she sent a few more notes, but I did not reply due to stressors from 'real life.' 3. Note sent from me to her in November 2014, was read and not replied to. 4. More notes sent in 2015 (three total), they are unread as of the moment, along with an email, a skype message, a profile comment on DA, and inquiring friends and groups if they knew where she is. 5. Found her on 11/5/15 clearly being active on Pinterest. 6. Looking into filing a chargeback now since multiple attempts at contact have failed. [Edit 10/11/15: I did not send the payment via gifts, I sent it through services, but yes, I did pay the fee for her. v_v Sorry for the confusion of my wording! Also, I've contacted Paypal and my bank on the 6th of this month or so, and both said it was too late now to file chargebacks. Instead, they advised me to take this to the police and the BBB, so here's hoping. I will be calling Paypal back though to let them know about how she had originally asked to send the payment + fees via the gift option.] Thank you for your time, everyone. EDIT/Adding more: On March 3 of 2016, Chuuchichu logged onto Skype and I was able to reach out and talk to her. She apologized and quickly issued me a full refund and was very respectful and mature in her handling of the situation and knowledge of receiving a beware. I consider the situation resolved now and believe Chuuchichu acted admirably and sincerely in her resolution.
  3. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/879111.html WHO: captainhanni WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/captainhanni/ WHAT: It was the “Ramen Beast YCH” they posted on FA here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16721082/ The finished artwork was to be fully rendered/painted in their usual style. I won the auction and paid the $80 via Paypal. WHEN: The auction was won on June 3rd and the payment was sent the same day. PROOF: http://i.imgur.com/ouX6wPS.png - Payment http://i.imgur.com/NNs5pET.jpg - Details for YCH http://i.imgur.com/eKt59EJ.png - June to September progress asking emails http://i.imgur.com/9wuH3zs.png - Progress screenshot http://i.imgur.com/mp79bTr.png - Unread FA note http://i.imgur.com/DeOe3ZX.png - October 24th email EXPLAIN: I was the highest bidder and won the auction for $80 dollars. I provided the details by email and sent the payment the same day. On June 8th they emailed me a completed headshot I commissioned before this one and left a note saying that the YCH shouldn’t take too much longer. On July 10th I sent a follow up email asking for an update on it. CaptainHanni responded to on July 29th saying that they’ve had a hard time drawing lately. Completely understandable and not a big deal. Attached to the email was also a progress screenshot. September 26 rolls around and I still haven’t received the completed art. I sent another email asking if they could try to squeeze me to the top of their priority list. They’ve been posting art on Tumblr and I was hoping they could find some time to finish my YCH. Didn’t get a response. I sent a note to them on FA on October 14th basically repeating what I mentioned in the email. That has never been read. Finally, I sent one last email on October 24th asking them if they want to finish or give a partial refund for the art, and you could probably guess that they never responded to that either. I would put a claim through paypal but some work was already done. If they would just respond to my email we could work out a partial refund... or they could just, you know, finish it.
  4. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/879013.html I feel like this is a rather unusual beware, but here it is, anyways. All information is under the cut! WHO: Paxerle @ deviantART WHERE: http://www.paxerle.deviantart.com WHAT: Contest Prizes ($8 USD, 1 Chibi, 2 Pixel Icons, 1 Custom Design) - Only the chibi was ever completed and sent to me. WHEN: Paxerle noted me on June 23, 2015 and requested that I enter her contest. The journal with the information has long since been deleted, as well as the results journal, but I believe I was announced the winner on August 2, 2015, as that's when my note to her about prizes is dated. This is still ongoing. PROOF: Screenshots will be linked below. As said above, the original journals with the contest information and results have been deleted, so this proof is based off of what has been said in notes and I hope it's sufficient. EXPLAIN: June 23, 2015: Paxerle contacts me about her contest, the theme of which is to design a character for one of her MYO Sushi Dog Slots. Sushi Dogs are a closed species belonging to another user, which is important because it means she had to have the design approved by the species owner and I can no longer revoke it from her without backlash from the species community. She did pay the species owner for the slot, but, as explained below, she never compensated me, the designer, for the design, which was the original agreement. (I apologize for the confusion of this; I know this is an unorthodox situation that might require additional explanation.) August 2, 2015: I decided to enter because I had no workload at the time and I liked her art, which was also offered as prizes. On August 2nd, the results were posted and I was announced the winner, but this journal, like the one with the contest information, has been deleted. I also provided her with my email address for the small monetary prize. August 21, 2015: Paxerle sends me one of the completed art prizes. I'm including this because I believe it shows that she's acknowledging owing me something, and I don't have much evidence of that, unfortunately. September 10, 2015: I sent a note about the monetary prize because I never received it and, as mentioned in the screenshot, other artists often send payments to me to the wrong email address. (My dA username is Bottled-Rottweiler; my email address has no hyphen.) She claims to have sent it and I let her know that I never received anything. As of this posting, this is the last I ever heard from her. She could have easily responded with a screenshot of the transaction if she actually did send me the money, so I believe she never did and doesn't intend to. Here, she also acknowledges that I'm the designer of the character to the closed species owner, who approves it. This is why I cannot revoke the design from her; it would be viewed as poor etiquette in the community and I could consequently be banned. I was hesitant to post this due to the complexity of the situation, but the general idea of this is, I entered Paxerle's contest and designed her a character, under the belief that I would receive art and monetary prizes in exchange. I never received them, so she now owns a design from me that I was, in a sense, not paid for. I hope I'm not overreacting to this, but the idea that she scammed a free design out of me has left a bad taste in my mouth. Additionally, she has paid people for adoptables and completed personal artwork in this time. EDIT (11/11/25: I want to place emphasis on the fact that this is an issue with an individual artist who failed to compensate me for a character design, not an issue with the closed species community. At the advice of the comments below, I did contact the moderators of the community for assistance, but this is a conflict between two individuals. I have no issues with this community and have always felt welcome there. 🙂
  5. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/878066.html WHO: Scotty Stripes WHERE: This occured over email, address can be provided if necessary (rules say not to?) However FA accounts are: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/scottystripes (old account: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/staar ) WHAT: Fursuit Concept art through www.NeonSlushie.com WHEN: Commission order was placed October 11th, paid for the 13th, and completed the 25th. Initial contact was all fairly pleasant, but as soon as the commission was completed, things went sour fast. Customer filed for a chargeback even after I made the requested changes to the artwork. PROOF: I have included every email that has been exchanged between us. First Contact/Commission Form: http://i.imgur.com/e9uCjeC.png A few back & forth emails, all pleasant: http://i.imgur.com/qjnEzyh.png Commission Completed: http://i.imgur.com/taCvBtB.png Finished Image: http://i.imgur.com/CN0L6jF.png *Things go Sour... http://i.imgur.com/TeKRT5V.png I fix the mistake: http://i.imgur.com/5kFk0L2.png Customer Files Chargeback: http://i.imgur.com/NiWssCa.png EXPLAIN: Everything is pretty self-explanatory through the screenshots, but for those of you who do not feel like reading it all: Customer, Scotty Stripes, commissions me for a basic reference of their Zebra character. I charge them $80 ($50 base price, +$25 design fee, +$5 extra complexity fee) - they pay several days later, and the commission is completed on schedule. Scotty is very unhappy with the outcome (mainly the stripes) and lets me know that. I say it's not a problem and I'm happy to work with them until they are satisfied with the art. Scotty becomes very hostile and voices that they feel they were scammed. I again tell them I can make the changes so they are happy with it. I go ahead and fix all the stripes to their specifications, only to find that they filed for a chargeback. I have tried multiple times to contact them and request they cancel the chargeback but they have not answered me. I feel very wronged here. I am going to be out $80 and many many many hours of work. I realize that I am not perfect in this situation, they did request more realistic striping than what I initially gave them. However, my job is to make designs that can transfer easily into fursuits and realistic zebra stripes are not something that works well for this. I was more than happy to fix my mistakes, but I feel the treatment I was given in this situation is extremely unfair. What can I do now? What can I say to paypal to get protection, before that chargeback clears? Last time I had a customer file a chargeback, I lost because my products are digital only and not physical items. Is there anything I can do? I really need advice. And I really did feel I needed to warn others of Scotty Stripes and their behavior, so other artists and fursuit makers can avoid having this happen to them. UPDATE: The chargeback did not go through! "The case [customer name] opened regarding a payment to you has automatically closed because it was not escalated before November 16, 2015. Any funds associated with this payment that may have been on hold is now available." So the money has been returned to me. Scotty Stripes has still never contacted me, apologized, or canceled the chargeback, so this beware is still plenty relevant. However I am super happy that my money was not taken from me!
  6. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/877734.html I bought a YCH from this person for $12, which isn't much. I paid them $15 because I thought their "skill" was impressive and that I should tip a bit. They got the piece done in a very good amount of time, but it was brought to my attention that the piece was traced from another artist's art. I was refunded the full amount very quickly, but they deny that they had traced. Other than that, they are a really nice person. It's just a shame to see talent go wasted by copying others. Their Profiles: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/lakeore/ http://lakeadopts.deviantart.com/ http://princedeanmon.tumblr.com/ (NSFW!!) YCH Posting: https://i.gyazo.com/096020fd94b9c73870ac1d51dc24008a.png Finished: https://i.gyazo.com/b67e895559cd8c30b3934a409b078d5b.png Comments: https://i.gyazo.com/80909a81f2aa53a7d27f41ad02b3f0c7.png Original Artist's Piece: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15173282 Overlay: https://i.gyazo.com/5dabdf1918b7e76919a4bbe2b4ce8bf9.png Proof of Payment/Refund: https://i.gyazo.com/6c6e1af37595afd7bfee860f45b1d1ee.png "But I didn't trace!": https://i.gyazo.com/b1577ac2d9aeee1158377eb0a3be0e26.png Just wanted to give a heads up. I have no idea how credible their adopts/other art are, but I wouldn't trust it.
  7. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/877086.html Edit 10/30/2015 I received my order as well as an apology from the maker, hoping the same happened with the other costumers too. They were awesome enough to pay for the shipping too. Hope their IRL issues get resolved. (/r/Furry from Reddit suggested I should come here, since this was a bigger issue than I was hoping it would be, here's the Original Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/furry/comments/3o5puh/looking_for_opinions_and_advice_commission_issues ) WHO: Miss Raptor WHERE: http://missraptor.deviantart.com/ WHAT/WHEN: I commissioned her for a mask over a year ago, finishing my last down payment August 28th 2014 ( making it a year and 3 months) PROOF: The agreement: (April 3rd, 2014) The Final Payment: (August 28th 2014) Journals/Excuses from the artist incoming.. 1 (August 27th 2014)- Telling customers, ironically, to communicate with her payments, but she might not be able to communicate back as fast. 2 (Oct 2014) Pushed back until December 3 (Nov 2014) An issue with the furnace 4 (Dec 2014) It's now December, email goes down 5 (Jan 2015) Sorry, got a puppy now 6 (Jan 2015) Sick Sister 7 (Feb 2015) Sick Artist 8 (March 2015) Too many projects 9 (May 2015) Projects Paused.. again 10 (Aug 2015) 4 Months behind EXPLAIN: I'm concerned about the where-abouts of my said "finished mask" from a 6+ weeks ago. I understand things happen, but she has started to out right ignore her clients that are sending her notes on DeviantArt (and I know she is reading them, dA marks notes as "read" once opened.) We've been very patient and understanding with her but this is starting to become unprofessional. It took her a year to finally post a WIP for us due to the complications in the journals above. I'd honestly rather her post another journal though than ignore me and other clients on DeviantArt. This is happening while she still is taking commissions and taking down payments from other people, while she has had clients waiting for their 100% payed for mask for 15+ months( a year and a half almost). I'm very disappointing with the service I received for my $730 bucks, especially since I payed everything on time and let her push my project back continuously so she can advertise/sell merchandise at Anthrocon, work on her own personal projects, or deal with her real life issues. Sorry for the rant, I'm just so burnt out from this mask commission.. I can not recommend this fursuit maker to anyone anymore unless she works out her communication issues with her clients, and can balance her real life problems with her "professional career that makes her a living" as she called it. There's not excuse for this.
  8. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/876252.html WHO: EciiArisu/Usabuuchu WHERE: usabuuchu.deviantart.com WHAT: fullbody couple, digital art. WHEN: Ordered and paid in March. PROOF: first attempt at contact https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/booksen/76931540/272/272_original.png second attempt at contact, over a month later https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/booksen/76931540/517/517_original.png Finally received a reply, September 7th https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/booksen/76931540/873/873_original.png My reply to hers https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/booksen/76931540/1260/1260_original.png No response to my last reply, sent another message October 7th https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/booksen/76931540/1506/1506_original.png EXPLAIN: In March of this year I purchased a fullbody couple from Usabuuchu (formerly EciiArisu) on deviantart. After paying I waited some months until July when I asked for a update on my commission. I didn’t get a reply so Auguest 30th I sent another note asking the same thing. I finally did recieve a reply for this one on September 7th. The reply had me a little worried as it was worded. To me it made me think ‘i might finish your commission and if I don’t then maybe you get a refund’. I sent a note as soon as I read this asking for clarification but have not heard back since. I have sent another note as of last week, October 7th , and still haven’t heard anything even though the icon on the note says it has been read. They are still active on other sites and on dA (uploading art, commenting, etc). I do not want to cause any trouble or drama but I felt this needed to be put out there. Thank you for your time in reading this. I would also like to apologize for any spelling errors or mistake, this is my first time posting to artist-beware.
  9. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/875995.html edit: Resolved! Got my part, everything OK! -------- WHO: www.furaffinity.net/user/perikoala (also on tumblr) WHAT: A digital art trade WHEN: It has been ongoing since August 13, 2014. PROOF/EXPLAIN: (Note: The conversations are in spanish, as it is my main language, but I've translated them in the bottom of each screenshot.) I and Perikoala agreed to do a trade in August 13, 2014. [Proof] As suggested in the screenshot, we worked out the rest of the details through skype. In September 6, 2014, I finished my part: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14469044/ [screenshot], she said thanks, everything ok, so I waited for her part. About six months after the agreement, I noticed that she was offering more trades and requests and later free raffles on tumblr [proof], while I hadn't received updates about my piece, so I noted her on February 2015, to which she replied she was sorry, that she hadn't been able to finish it, and promised me she hadn't forgot. [proof] [my reply] After this I sent a message which wasn't replied to. I figured it had to do with her accounts being inactive, so I tried to reach her on tumblr. After this, she finally answered to me on FA the day August 12, 2015. [her reply] Now, I completely understand that life gets in the way, but it throws me off that she kept/keeps accepting free requests, hosting more raffles (another) and trades although I still don't have updates about mine from 2014. This is a trade she did with a friend of mine, for example, among others and if they were from old agreements I would have understood, but according to my friend who recently traded with her, they agreed to do it on september 7, meaning she had to wait less than a month for hers. [screenshot] Currently, on her profile, she's also offering free requests. I sent her a reminder note in October 7th, which is still unread. [proof] After that, she has been online and even doing art streams, all while ignoring my note. [proof] I don't blame Perikoala for whatever that made her too busy to work on it, I completely understand serious stuff might come up, and I must note that we had also agreed to take our time, no rush at first; but I think over a year is more than enough.
  10. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/875056.html WHO: Electrocat & Electropaw_Artworks WHERE: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/electrocat & https://www.furaffinity.net/user/electropawartworks WHAT: A couples Icon WHEN: August 5th 2012 PROOF: In my stash I have posted four screenshots. One of initial contact to purchase the icon set. The proof of payment being sent (I sent extra to cover the paypal fees). And two follow up notes which were never opened by electrocat. http://sta.sh/21bm9xe88hih EXPLAIN: Normally I would have let this slide and forgot about it but the entire incident left a bad taste in my mouth. I commissioned Electrocat to do a set of icons for my husband and I. It was an experimental icon template and I would have been fine if she just informed me that it was not possible to do the icons and either refund me or make them on a different template. But I received no contacts from her. I attempted to contact her twice in regards to the progress and the notes went unread/ignored. I finally was able to make it to one of her streams where I politely asked how the icons were coming and she threatened to shut down the stream if anyone asked for an eta on any due projects because it was stressing her. I would have screenshotted the stream but I was thoroughly yelled at by her boyfriend of the time before being booted and banned from the stream. So I was unable to ever get in contact with her. I never filed a claim with paypal because I didn’t see the point for $28 that and she lives off her commissions and I didn’t want to add any more stress by taking away any money she had already had. Unfortunately, commissions get piled on top of commissions and some get forgotten. Most of the time she gets the work done, but when things become problematic, communication breaks down and so does the commission. She is a good artist… It just should be known that there has been incidences where some have fallen through the cracks. I just happened to be one of them.
  11. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/874852.html WHO: Artist: "Jaggy" /furaffinity/deviantart/ http://www.furaffinity.net/user/jaggy/ http://ieatd0gs.deviantart.com/ WHERE/WHAT: Badge trade, through notes on FA/spoke in person a few times. WHEN: Discussed doing a trade at Califur in 2013. Despite getting my half done for them within a month, I have been fed excuses and given nothing despite waiting for two years, along with being ignored the last time I tried to contact them. PROOF: Screencaps of notes will be hosted in the explanation, though I only have one note remaining from them (but most of their correspondence is still in the quotes on my replies thankfully.) I was lucky that FA's outbox notes were kept so long-term as compared to my often cleared inbox. While this means a lot is missing, I think there's enough to clearly support what's gone on here. EXPLAIN: Califur 2013 Jaggy and I spoke, with them telling me they loved my artwork and really wanting a badge, but were short on funds. Trades came up and I agreed that I'd like to do a trade after seeing their work because they had a style I felt would suit my character well. I asked them to contact me after the con to set up details and give each other references. June 2013 I got the initial note from Jaggy asking if I still wanted to trade, and we exchanged references and the like. Here's what I have from the correspondence setting up the trade. First Second Third And I was obviously noted back with their details as I completed their badge shortly after as I stated. July 2013 I contacted Jaggy about the badge being done. I received a response stating the sketch was drafted and I'd for sure get it by the next furmeet (the only note that slipped through my inbox cleaning, thankfully.) Here is a posting of my half of the trade for them, it is the green character at bottom-center. I delivered the badge to them at the furmeet as stated, when I was told again in person it was sketched and would be ready at the next meet for sure. At the end of July 2013 I had something come up, so I informed Jaggy they'd have an extra month to work on their half since I couldn't make it to the next meet. When I saw Jaggy at the furmeet in September 2013, I was given more excuses as to why it wasn't done, told it was sketched out still, and given another "next time" guarantee. I ended up moving out of state for a while and when we spoke at my last meet I attended before that, Jaggy told me they'd be fine shipping it to me because I was so patient. I remained patient, seeing I was on their profile in their commission/trades list. In November 2013, I contacted Jaggy inquiring if they could have the badge completed by my next convention so I could wear it there. They had replied telling me what was up and I replied back being very understanding of things. I was never once shown any of these sketches, however, and starting to doubt any existed. At Further Confusion 2014 in January, Jaggy and their partner came to my table to see me. Again, with no badge. I was fed a sob story about how difficult their lives had been lately and that they were in debt and they had no time to get art done whatsoever. My friend popped into the conversation proposing that I could use the badge as an example for my table until the end of the con to make things fair, to which Jaggy agreed. When Jaggy came back to pick up the badge, it had gone missing. I told Jaggy I had a hi-res scan if we couldn't find it and I could easily print them out a new one with no problem, but kept looking around. I assumed it fell off or someone took it, but still made an effort to find it with no results. A couple weeks after the con, in February 2014, I finally got time to ask Jaggy if they had managed to locate the badge as I hadn't heard back. I do not have their response, but I was told that they hadn't found it through anyone and not to worry about printing a new badge for them until they finished their half because it would only be fair. I started to assume that I was just ripped off after that despite constantly being listed on their profile as an in-progress trade having been sketched out. I found the badge in my air-travel cases for my supplies after my last out-of-state convention, but remained quiet, still seeing that my trade was listed and "sketched" and hoping that it would be done soon. At the two year mark, in June 2015, I decided to check in. I was now just listed as an owed trade, and had noticed Jaggy had been doing plenty of art, inclusive of personal work, and wondered why they hadn't done their half for me yet despite all this time. I sent them a note informing them I had found the original badge in my supplies, asking if they were going to do their half. I received no response despite the note being read for weeks. This was the final red flag for me. Finally, I noted Jaggy months being ignored, now in October 2015, well over two years since setting up and completing my half of the trade and receiving nothing, never being updated, and eventually ignored when it's past the point of excuses. I've decided I'm just done with this. I don't think they intended on doing their half of the work and were dishonest with me about their progress and intentions. I do not recommend trading with this person, and would even exercise caution in commissioning them based on their work ethic. UPDATE: About a day after I sent my note and wrote this posting, on October 5th, 2015I received a response from Jaggy (to my surprise, considering I had been ignored previously.) This note called me rude and was an obvious attempt to guilt trip me with another sob story, accusing me that I was essentially being mean and causing them trouble because I didn't care and keep up with what they'd been through, and some more excuses as to why the work had not been done. As someone who has been through more than plenty myself, I responded quite offended and upset about the ploy, explaining to them why I was offended, and ended up blocking them (of which I notified them) because I absolutely can not handle the stress that getting aggressive guilt-tripping notes puts me through. While they'd insisted on completing the trade someday, despite claiming not caring about it anymore, I told them I absolutely did not want them drawing my character at this point. It took me a lot of willpower to not be baited back in, but I refused to fall for it again. I would rather not share these screencaps of these two notes as I find them of rather personal nature based on the information shared about our experiences, but if absolutely needed, I will share them at a moderator's request. After I'd sent my reply, I had a second note waiting in my inbox already that they must have sent while I'd been writing mine. I did not reply to this as my response I'd written covered how I felt and stated that I was done with things. I currently have Jaggy blocked as I simply cannot handle being sent notes like that just because I finally put my foot down, and they have finally removed me from their queue. I assume this will go no further.
  12. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/873487.html WHO: Tortle/ Jay/ Gatorbite WHERE: http://tortle.tumblr.com/ https://www.furaffinity.net/user/gatorbite/ https://www.weasyl.com/~tortle WHAT: Multiple commissions, including an art doll and a customized adoptable WHEN: Art doll was purchased in May of 2013. PROOF: Proof of payment for the art doll and adopt: https://41.media.tumblr.com/5d2465c81301f52d9dee05dc058c5587/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o7_r1_1280.png https://41.media.tumblr.com/e903d972329aa3a623cf7929c0b31176/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o9_r1_1280.png There were other commissions that were not completed, but I don't remember exactly what they were or how much they cost. EXPLAIN: In May 2013, I commissioned Tortle for an art doll. Over the next 2 years I commissioned him for many more things, as well as buying adoptables he put up for sale. While I recieved most of these, the doll and a handful of other commissioned pieces were not completed. In late 2014, Tortle became inactive on Tumblr and FA for several months, all the way up to May of this year. During this time, he would not respond to messages sent by myself or my partner. I have learned since that he did not respond to multiple other commissioners, either. In May of this year, I checked his Tumblr after waiting for a couple months– only to discover that he had been active again for weeks– dispite the fact that he STILL hadn’t replied to the multiple messages my partner and I had sent him. I sent Tortle a message asking for him to get in contact with me reguarding my commissions, which did not get any reply. However, my partner sent Tortle these two asks on Tumblr: https://40.media.tumblr.com/22b485b4e20c76afd639f130133d8013/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o3_1280.png https://41.media.tumblr.com/617c1f179e4b603be035eabdee3b1a5e/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o2_1280.png Tortle's response: https://40.media.tumblr.com/902f1208dc49364191ab6c9618a13937/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o1_1280.png This was the last and only message we’ve recieved from him since. He never got back to us to work anything out. We sent him multiple other messages, as well as messaging his partner in an effort to get into any kind of contact with him, all of which recieved no response. About a month ago, I was browsing the front page of FA when I saw an adoptable posted to a new account: gatorbite, which makes no reference to and does not link to his Tortle accounts. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and hoped that he was making money to pay people back, and that he would get to people eventually. After a month or so of him posting adopts and commissions almost constantly, however, it became clear that this was not the case. Frustrated with Tortle’s unresponsiveness, I decided to note him asking what he planned to do about what he owed me and when – only to find out that he had blocked me on his gatorbite account, despite the fact that I had not watched him, favourited his art or interacted at all with him on that account previously. https://36.media.tumblr.com/e7a1f7e01b4d1df90dd7c11dd2d47db0/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o5_r1_1280.png https://40.media.tumblr.com/0ca6959ffcba7392358b4bd9f567e883/tumblr_nvjm8fRnfo1u6i3n1o4_r1_1280.png This gives me the impression that Tortle created his Gatorbite account to avoid the people he previously owed art and money. At this point, there doesn't seem to be anything I can do except post a beware. Tortle is not trustworthy and I strongly advise against commissioning him. Edit: Fixed a date that I thought I had already fixed, sorry
  13. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/872485.html WHO: midousuji on Furaffinity or ambedo on Furaffinity WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/midousuji/ or http://www.furaffinity.net/user/ambedo/ WHAT: Digital YCH- Name Shower Time WHEN: October 25, 2014 PROOF: Original Post: https://dl.dropbox.com/s/3wroab4iw6a7e6s/Artistbewareproof1.png?dl=0 (NSFW) My comment: https://dl.dropbox.com/s/yn7qr8rvf7v0zn8/ArtistBewareproof2.png?dl=0 Proof I paid: https://dl.dropbox.com/s/v9ga73fvar5f1qr/proofIpaid.png?dl=0 Attempts at contact: https://dl.dropbox.com/s/6xv1npk1d0higar/my%20attempt%20at%20contact.png?dl=0 Dispute: https://dl.dropbox.com/s/slxn6vn08f6ziug/Disbute.png?dl=0 EXPLAIN: Bought a slot for the YCH in October and I have not heard from them since I paid. There has been no updates or answers to my comments. Unfortunately, the journal where I asked about the Skype information is gone. I did not want to have to do this, but after almost a year without any information I felt that I had to do this. I have tried to contact this person, but there has been no response. Feb 20, 2015- Just went through their gallery today and noticed that all the YCHs that were previously posted are no longer there. Jul 27, 2015- I just realized that their account midousuji is now deactivated I originally bought the YCH because I saw that they were completing the previous YCHs and had changed. Obviously, they haven’t. Do not commission this person. I tried to open a dispute, but I was denied. Luckily, it was only $20, but it was $20 I could have kept. All I want is my money back and, unfortunately, I do not see this happening
  14. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/871926.html Below is the account of my experiences with Miikywhiskers/Aoifhe/Catslaps/412009074/Chisey/Nhyau/LiIIian/qewtie/Kiri-ty/Cattits. Here are the following Usernames I know of she has/may use as of now: http://nhyau.deviantart.com/ http://miikywhiskers.deviantart.com/ http://liiiian.deviantart.com/ http://412009074.deviantart.com/ http://www.furaffinity.net/user/qewti/ http://kiri-ty.tumblr.com/ http://thunderpoon.deviantart.com/ http://www.furaffinity.net/user/cuffedkitty/ http://www.furaffinity.net/user/aoifhe/ On the date of February 4th 2015, I payed Chisey/Miikywhiskers, 80$ Some of which went to a character being payed off, a sketch, and the remaining 30$ went to a design commission. On the date of April 28th 2015 I asked if I could have my design drawn as such - http://nhyau.deviantart.com/art/kiri-ref-wip-529636970 (You can still see my comments in the bottom if she hasn't gone as far as to hide them - if so I provide a screen shot below. http://orig10.deviantart.net/8948/f/2015/237/f/4/ca35e316d6f4e6ef3baaf46f010e38bf_by_avomeir-d975xm1.png for another 15$ she said it would normally be twenty, so I met in the middle and sent 18$, later sending another 2$ to make 20$. Proof of all payments - http://orig00.deviantart.net/cf47/f/2015/245/4/0/90aa95d1099f1246b4a6dc1f9284c381_by_avomeir_d979q2_by_avomeir-d986cwd.png http://orig11.deviantart.net/8855/f/2015/245/3/4/0dff8c50761d75bc7abc529040e8ed3d_by_avomeir_d979q7_by_avomeir-d986cwi.png http://orig11.deviantart.net/d84b/f/2015/245/1/a/9562d25ae5902a2922d8cd4a19be3f7b_by_avomeir-d986eh1.png I waited paitently for four months, trying to understand whatever she may be going through I then asked about the satus of my commission, wondering if she had forgotten. Proof- http://orig02.deviantart.net/1c76/f/2015/238/c/0/eaaa5c04b3fa02c3eaa7203bc97aef62_by_avomeir-d979qq5.png She said she would try to get to it that day. That did not happen, and she spent the next two months taking on more ych's and doing various personal projects. I waited two more months. During which she said she wasn't going to do design commissions anymore and we could either change it for a substitute or a refund. I payed for a design. I didn't want anything else, I also didn't want a refund because she had already spent my money and there was no telling how long it would take for her to return it to me.(The journal this conversation took place on has since been removed, else I'd provide proper screenshots.) After a small dispute, and discussion she agreed to do my design. I received my design finally on August 12th 2015. http://orig02.deviantart.net/e4b9/f/2015/238/a/8/c8fd4a3fd61f0c37983d62961e32cfe6_by_avomeir-d979qqj.png This design is lovely, however not what I asked for. This design is on the waitress base, not the lines I requested and paid for. Seeing this I asked if I myself, or her could fix it. She had previously proclaimed to be profoundly busy throughout the past few months, so I assumed with what she had been saying, I would do so. She responded with "yeah sure doll :3" Sure to which?? Her or me doing it? Confused I followed up asking if I was going to do it. I waited 10 days, no response. So I used the lines above and placed the design on it. She went off on me, for drawing on something I paid for anyway. She wasn't going to create whole new lines for me, she was going to edit the current ones I picked out as a reference. So why it was such a big deal I'm not entirely sure. She is very point blank with her commissions, she doesn't go out of her way to make them better than what someone paid for. Conversation: http://orig04.deviantart.net/b760/f/2015/238/2/d/bf84322875a61109ed0856c3cebe39ea_by_avomeir-d979t2s.png At this time I had paid 50$ for another art piece by her upon which the design dispute happened she said she would refund me. The design dispute took place on August 22nd 2015. Proof of other commission- http://orig02.deviantart.net/b93a/f/2015/245/6/a/b3b878ffd8cffa02c56786f0da3d34e9_by_avomeir-d986g1t.png I noted her setting up a deadline for this refund on August 25, 2015. I gave her a month from when she said she would refund (which was the 22nd) me before I would attempt to charge back the money. However, unfortunately after looking into it, I can only charge back through my bank within 30 days of the transaction, and paypal will not dispute digital goods. Therefore my only means to have my money returned is her giving it back, seeing as she has not responded or been very compliant I do not foresee a refund at all. It is now the 23rd and I still have not received a refund. Proof of refund statement: http://orig07.deviantart.net/b8e8/f/2015/266/c/1/__by_avomeir-d9anskm.png Deadline: http://orig10.deviantart.net/4108/f/2015/246/b/3/f50bcfba820216e9e7907ebe6382edbd_by_avomeir-d98a356.png Proof she saw my message and knew about my deadline: http://orig00.deviantart.net/604e/f/2015/266/0/1/image_by_avomeir-d9amo2o.jpg I say "Atleast my, 50$" Because I sent this message - http://orig08.deviantart.net/133b/f/2015/238/9/d/4970feddd17d3be2579b44a9897bc5f0_by_avomeir-d97a6px.png Asking if I could also be returned my 20$ for not having my design drawn properly, however this was not required seeing as I had received atleast some of my good purchased. I wasn't going to demand for a refund of that 20$ Overall, it has been difficult to work with her. She does not cooperate with her customers, and will take entirely too long on your commission, coming up with plenty of excuses as to why it's not done. Please take this is a warning to all of those thinking of purchasing from her. Until she gets her act together and stops procrastinating and not having money to refund if needed, do not purchase anything from her. It is in Your best interest.
  15. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/872392.html WHO: Apocalypse ReFurred, Thysyrael WHERE: Facebook Apocalypse ReFurred page and via messages WHAT: A pair of resin/ polymorph pastic clawed hand paws and feet paws with promise of quick turn around by April 4th. WHEN: March 18th 2015. – Commission placed. March 22nd – Fur I supplied arrived at maker’s address. March 24th – Commission paid for in full. April 3rd – Photo of hand paws WIP received, April 4th – Original deadline. April 16th – Photo received of feet paws in ductape wrap, ready for furring. ( Several different life problems occurred for the artist, such as pet passing, theft etc. throughout the months. I can try to give specific dates for these if required) 6th September – After no updates, I ask again for one or for a partial refund and what’s been made to be sent to me so I can complete myself or resell. 7th September – Refunded and items sent to me 11th September – Items recieved PROOF: ( Me in purple, her in green) Facebook messages part 1 Facebook messages part 2 Paypal receipt Message mentioning the polymorph plastic I missed Items themselves; Overall paw shape ( My ref for character, notice the paws are more lizard or simian shaped) Animal hair 1, 2, 3 Unglued edges Hand paws Claws They look like Fimo to me EXPLAIN: Back in March, I was preparing for a convention on April 4th when I found that my fursuit feet and paws where in very rough condition from general use. I asked about on the UK Furry Facebook groups for a maker or someone seller paws and a maker came forward. I looked at their stuff and while they weren’t high end makers, their paws looked fine and they offered to complete it within the admittedly tight deadline. I already had some fur left over from when I tried to make the fursuit and we agreed for a lower price ( £80) if I sent this fur over. A day before the deadline ( April 4th ) I received a phone photo of the hand paws. They looked a little rough, but I assumed it was just the camera quality. I later received a photo of ductape covered feet paws. They looks a little odd and I asked if the tape was pulling the toes apart, giving them a wider look. She assured me they were fine so I continued with the commission a little apprehensive. Then a myriad of personal and family problems for the maker reared up, from a pet passing away, to a parent being very ill and then robbery. There were also problems with the dye not adhering to the resin claws that I’d asked for. She said she would contact the maker and complain. Every so often, I’d ask for updates and get told that there was a problem and she couldn’t send photos. After the April 4th deadline, I’d hoped that the paws would be ready for Confuzzled in May. No such luck, I ended up going suitless which was kinda sad. 7 months later, I was promised an update within 2 weeks. No update came and I was fed up. I asked for a partial refund ( as some of the commission was complete) and for what was made to be sent to me. She agreed and the £5 refund along with the unattached claws and paws where sent to me. The paws arrived quickly but in very poor condition, which I’ll detail in sections; Feet Paws – They are way too wide and off model, looking more like duck feet. There is glue blobs, holes between the fur and the sole, but the worse thing is the smell. They stink badly of dog so much that it’s as if the animal has sat on the foam or fur. I reported this to the maker ( as some of my family suffer from allergies), she explained that the fur and foam was kept away from the animals and the only way they’d smell is if she’d passed it on from petting the animals. However, there is white and brown animal fur on the paws as well as general fluff. This hair cannot be from when I supplied the fur as we have no pets. Hand Paws – very roughly made, though they are incomplete, they too are smelly. They also fit ill. Claws– These are not polymorph plastic, but instead hand sculpted Fimo clay and have finger prints and dirt in the clay. I googled the plastic, which appears to be a shiney, usually white product similar to glue gun glue. In the end, I am very disappointed. I don’t think I can even sell these items without thorough repair and cleaning. She seems to be a young maker and as such, isn’t very professional yet. Edit: Update 2/10/2015 I contacted the maker a couple of days ago about the animal fur with pictures. I asked her again if the animal had been in contact with the paws and she said the fur ( which is clearly animal with colouring and tapering... plus, y know, the stink!) was faux fur from another suit she was making.
  16. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/871364.html WHO: Dirtymutt WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/dirtymutt/ WHAT: 2 character digital flat-color WHEN: October 28, 2014 PROOF: see screenshots EXPLAIN: There has been a lack of communication from him with zero updates. He has provided me with zero wips or even the finished commission he says he has finished. He hasn't responded to me since April regarding my commission. In between waiting he disabled his FA user page for sometime in February which sent up a red flag for me. Has has re-enabled his user page but is continuing to ignore any communication on the art he owes me. Screenshots
  17. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/870876.html thesyko / lesyko (FA) - vonwerehog (DA) http://www.furaffinity.net/user/thesyko/ http://www.furaffinity.net/user/lesyko/ http://vonwerehog.deviantart.com/ WHERE: FA/DA WHAT: Egg adoptables http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15463996/ http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15472989/ http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15515024/ http://lesyko.deviantart.com/…/2-Dollar-Egg-Adoption-506776… WHEN: 8 months ago PROOF: http://sta.sh/21rmjg9525if?edit=1 EXPLAIN: -Do not buy adoptables o commission her, you may be scammed- This user was selling adoptables (on Fur Affinity) a long time ago, I purchased 3 and waited for their art, but never got it. They were reported on the previous site, but I found her on DA and I asked them for a refund, but they just ignored me, I were insisting to contact with them. They were very rude, and said "I was in the hospital, I cannot give you a refund because I don't have a job, etc..." A few moths later, I asked they again, and their response was "You'll have your refund ond july 2nd" A month has passed and still nothing, so I noted them again, because I REALLY NEED the money right now... They ignored and blocked me... This user stills drawing and taking commissions... By the way, there are more upset customers by her
  18. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/869831.html WHO: SnowDarkWolf at Furaffinity. Not sure if he has other accounts on other sites. WHERE: His userpage on Furaffinity: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/snowdarkwolf the pic he commissioned me: (WARNING: NSFW?) http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17019931/ WHAT: a digital art commission that has been completed, but then be charged back by this commissioner. (see proof 2) WHEN: commission succefully ended on July 5th, 2015, chargeback case happened on August 27th, 2015 PROOF: (1) proof of completion of commission: http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y368/darkgoose666/85c6d9d1-917d-4608-9b5c-2f3d2858dcf2_zpsgzetwl3w.png (2) proof of chargeback case happened: http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/darkgoose666/media/asdee0150901190907_zpskja37jau.png.html EXPLAIN: about 3 months ago, I was commissioned by SnowDarkWolf and drew a pic for him: (WARNING: NSFW?) http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17019931/ The commission was successfully completed and I'd already sent him the full size image. However, at last month, a charge-back from PayPal is issued, saying that the customer wants his money back. I tried to contact SnowDarkWolf by all the methods I could, but there's totally no response. He's email is dead-like and his account on FA is banned. It's quite obvious that he's trying to con me on that commission, he probably thinks that he doesn't need to pay on commissions on a banned account. It really upsets me. I work hard and waste a lot of time for someone, but end up not earning anything, yet losting even more money than doing nothing, just because someone is being selfish. 😧
  19. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/870015.html EDIT: solved, I received a full refund. WHO: RaikaDeLaNoche / RawrCreations / AlmaAurora on FA, WHAT: A fursuit mask I didn't receive. WHEN: Contacted her and paid on march. Still waiting on a full refund. PROOF + EXPLAIN: [Note: The RawrCreations fursuit studio is handled by two people; Raika and someone else, but because this was entirely handled by Raika, I've decided not to include the other person.] RawrCreations opened for new projects in march, so I messaged them asking for a quote. [Proof] We agreed to the transaction, I sent $250 and I was supposed to send the rest of the payment next month. Their website (listed on the RawrCreations profile page) is now down, but when it was online, it showed some fursuit examples and a ToS that specified that, if paying in increments, they would send an invoice next month, and it was expected for the buyer to pay when it was due (April, in my case). [Proof] It's after I sent the first payment that communication completely stopped. April passed and I didn't get any updates or the invoice. I tried to be patient so I waited until May to contact them again, but my message was ignored. I messaged them again through on June asking for a reply, again, no answer. [Proof] On July 23 I was now tired of waiting and sent Raika a message on FA, asking for a refund. The message was read, but I got no reply, and her favourites kept being updated, showing that she was indeed ignoring me. (I also sent a message to the other fursuit studio maker, the messages are still unread.) She finally replied to me on July 30, the reason cited for the lack of updates was personal reasons/not wanting to talk, but assured me I'd get photo updates in about a week. I was excited about getting the item again and understood that life sometime gets in the way, so I told her it was completely okay and to take her time, only thing I asked for was updates. [Proof for both messages] Yet August was passing again without not even once being contacted by Raika, so I left a shout on her profile asking for a refund, completely fed up with waiting. [Proof] I was silently 'refunded' a week later. The thing is, because Raika sent this as Payment instead of Gift or Refund, I only received $236 from the $250 I originally paid her. I understand not all countries can send as Gift (mine can't), and it was past the wait period to send as Refund, but I would have expected her to cover the fees so I would have received a full refund. [Proof] I left a shout on her profile asking for the full amount on September 1st, which is still being ignored, even though her account shows activity. There are also other people on her shouts asking for refunds and updates, so I know I'm not the only one. [Proof] So, in short, I paid for a fursuit head, was ignored for six months (and still am), then not refunded in fully, even though I didn't receive anything.
  20. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/867465.html WHO: Kimba90 WHERE: https://inkbunny.net/kimba90 WHAT: Two character digital NSFW commission of anthro 'My Little Pony' characters. WHEN: Initially contacted on Aug 16th. Trouble showed up Aug 29th. PROOF: link to all the screenshots, which I will be putting into context below the cut EXPLAIN: Kimba90 contacted me on August 16th to ask about a commission. I pointed him at my simple price list. He asked about me drawing "loli" characters, but I let him know I wasn't into drawing underaged characters in sexual situations. He asked about drawing MLP, I said that was okay. I am not too good at 'feral' animals but could do them anthro-ized or like ginjinka. We got the details sorted. I let him know that I would do a rough sketch to get the poses down before asking for payment. I don't add any character details in the sketch until I've been paid. screenshot I showed him the first sketch (NSFW). He asked for some changes. screenshot I obliged and sent a revised sketch (NSFW). He asked for one more tweak, plus a second insert panel shot. I did so (NSFW). screenshot I sent the final revision on the 26th. Three days passed so I sent him a reminder on the 29th that I still needed his PP address so I could send him that invoice. He PMs back with his address... but also informs me that he doesn't have any money in his PP account. I figure he was trying to scam me into free artwork, but I asked if I should just put the drawing on hold until he does have the money... and when I should expect it. screenshot It's been two days and he hasn't PMed back. I think he is just going to ignore me and I figured I might as well post this beware. Even if he does get back to me, I don't appreciate that he would try to get a commission and not have the funds to back it up, so I won't be continuing on this commission. I saved a copy of the first version of the sketch, so I will probably sell it as a YCH on FA to recoup. (commission request specifics blurred and screenshots larger as requested)
  21. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/866132.html WHO: Ann Allen on Facebook, unsure of any aliases outside of Facebook WHERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009386021687 WHAT: 2 Small (about 1 inch) feral chibis (both rats), laminated & shipped. WHEN: On June 11th, I was tagged into a posting in a Furry-Centered Art Group on Facebook by some personal friends who are moderators there. The reason is irrelevant (and I also cannot remember it), but I decided to commission the OP (Ann Allen) as they were showing off about 10 or so completed chibi pieces they had done for a group of people they were staying with at a con. PROOF & EXPLANATION: All correspondence is/was through Facebook PM, and follows as such, censored parts are her e-mail and my work address-- First Contact (June 11th): http://i.imgur.com/CSvIpsp.png I give her my commission details in PM after arranging for a commission in the original post in the Facebook Group, we chat a bit about our jobs (mostly omitted from screens as it's not pertinent) and I leave her alone to it. I ask later if she has an FA, she ignores me. The conversation picks back up nearly a month later JULY 6th where she asks me AGAIN what styles I want: http://i.imgur.com/vuOnC9v.png I reiterate that I'd like just the regular, simple chibis: http://i.imgur.com/w4GFurp.png The next day (July 7th) she asks me if I'm picking up at AC, when I never mentioned anything about going to AC prior to this nor on Facebook: http://i.imgur.com/rROL5Wn.png I inform her that I haven't been to AC since 2012 since I generally don't have the kind of funds it takes, and I again give her my address to have them shipped: http://i.imgur.com/t0PI0IN.png As you can see, the conversation ends there. I ask her again on the 21st of July and again a week later on the 28th of July for updates. I get silence. At this point it's been over a month I've been waiting for two tiny, very simple chibis that I've been asked for details on more than once despite her being active on her Facebook and posting other commissions/personal art. She had been very talkative at initial contact and then for some days after until I started asking for updates, then I started getting silence. Finally, on the 28th of July I asked for another update and postured a Beware. She sends me a photo of an empty iPhone Box: http://i.imgur.com/43VVXvk.png She claims then that her phone was broken despite never having made mention of this anywhere: http://i.imgur.com/L815Pkf.png I am sympathetic, she AGAIN asks me what I ordered. I tell her, re-send our refs. On August 13th (now it's been a little over two months) I ask her for an update: http://i.imgur.com/RJq5qnF.png Then again today (August 19th) I message her, and despite seeing her posting on her personal Facebook and being active on messenger, she continues to ignore me. I believe I am now out of the range of chargeback, and for $7 I'm not exactly going to kick and scream, but I REALLY did want my art, I genuinely like her work but I'm not the kind of person that likes to be strung along. I browsed her Facebook Wall a bit earlier and saw other people posting, asking for updates and replies to messages so it seems she's doing this to almost all her clientele while posting commissions she got for herself, etc.
  22. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/865907.html I'm going to go ahead and post this beware because Echoen has given every indication that he refuses to resolve the issue. Post contains suggestive nudity, but nothing too explicit. WHO: Echoen http://www.furaffinity.net/user/echoen https://echoen.sofurry.com/ https://inkbunny.net/Echoen https://www.weasyl.com/~echoen https://www.patreon.com/Echoen WHERE: My specific issue is with his Patreon. WHAT: Digital commission which he used for commercial purposes without my knowing, much less my approval, despite the fact he agreed to my TOS when he commissioned me. My TOS has always stated that I reserve all rights to my work, conform the law for freelance creatives as opposed to, for example, work for hire. It should be mentioned that this was a €5,- commission and it cannot be reasonably assumed that the cost also covers any rights in addition to the custom artwork, much less commercial rights, nor was there any indication that the work would be used commercially when he commissioned it. WHEN: August 2014 until Juli 2015, which is when I confronted him. EXPLAIN: September 2012 I had a sale on "Itty Bitty Commissions" which is what I call a small, digital, flat-colour, 1 character commission (example). They were so-called "wing-it" commissions, where I would receive payment and a character description and draw it and the customer would receive the finished drawing. Echoen contacted me and told me he needed a badge for a convention. It was rather last minute, but turn around was fast (a few hours to a day usually) and I moved him to the head of the queue to make sure he had it in time, just to be nice. I also gave him several options (1, 2, 3, 4), all at no extra cost. Again, I was just trying to be nice and a good artist and give good customer service. And Echoen seemed really happy with the work, which he uploaded a week later.) I thought that was going to be that; customer was happy, I was happy, end of story. Right? Juli 2015 I find out he's using it as a header for his Patreon, which is receiving almost $300 a month. Now I have a Patreon, and I know I thought carefully about which image to put up as a header to hopefully draw folks in and support me financially. This is definitely commercial use, as it's effectively advertisement, and Pixsy (a site that helps you local potential abuse of your work, they work with legal partners) agrees with me, filing it under commercial matches. I contacted Echoen, telling him I'd license him the image if he wanted to continue the image for his Patreon. He responded by taking it down and.. Nothing. No "oops, sorry!" or anything. That said, he'd still used the image commercially for 11 months, even though he had agreed not to. I told him I still needed to be compensated for that use, and sent him an invoice for a $110, which is entirely fair considering how much he's getting every month. After this is pretty much devolves into him stomping his feet, making up nonsense reasons as to why he shouldn't have to pay and suggesting he received "legal counsel" which agreed with this point of view. The screenshots. Him. Me. Him. Me. I asked him to have his lawyer (typically, legal advisors are lawyers.) contact me instead and then he went silent. Artists beware, Echoen has no respect for you or your rights at all. He'd comment on my work the entire time he had my art up on his Patreon (with my name effectively cropped out of the art!) and we chatted on FA; he had every opportunity to ask me about the work or mention the fact he was using it on his Patreon and never did. He's pleasant to your face, but when confronted with the consequences of his own voluntarily actions he becomes patronizing and will attempt to intimidate you into relenting. To this day he still hasn't even apologized a single time for abusing my work. He takes no responsibility for his own actions at all but instead goes to extreme lengths to avoid it. I ignored some warnings about him and this exact kind of behavior in 2012 after I finished the Itty Bitty Commission, and now I wish I'd heeded them, refunded his 5 bucks and had the work removed. Please don't make the same mistake I made, avoid him. Useful link: List of common but invalid excuses to copyright infringement as written by an attorney.
  23. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/865680.html WHO: Boxjelly1 (goes by real name also but for sake of having this posted, omitting) WHERE: http://boxjelly1.deviantart.com/ WHAT: Two full color, 2 character pieces with background. WHEN: March/April 2015 PROOF: Artist did not do correct characters, agreed to refund me, and ceased communications/has not yet refunded me. EXPLAIN: This is my first really bad experience commissioning someone, and first AB post, and most of the details will be here. I have worked with this artist in the past and their works are absolutely amazing. In the prior works I've gotten from them, they met or exceeded what I was looking to get. However, for whatever reason this time, the artist drew not what I wanted, decided to complete the piece after they had specifically asked if I wanted to see a sketch before they colored, and admits they didn't draw what I wanted, but due to their time and effort spent, were still entitled to something. This post is more about principal than a refund because I've nearly exhausted every avenue to get my money back, and I will not silently stand by while someone does this. In March 2015, artist had they were open for commissions on their page. I sent them a PM through DA's notes a while prior, and they messaged me saying they were open. I respond back stating I wanted my character Patches and Steele (from Balto) in some rather cute, mushy gushy poses. I've worked with the artist prior over the years and she has drawn the characters before. Artist states she has 2 commissions ahead of me and will let me know once she's ready to take on mine. In April, artist lets me know she's ready to start. Details are given, artist agrees, and artist asks if I want to see work in progress before she colors. I state I want to see work before she colors, and specify image formats preferred (as this artist has done prior for me), and she agrees. Between last message sent and this one (about a month and a half), artist has many delays for whatever reason. I had sent messages asking what her status was since I had already paid her, and finally on May 29 2015 she's ready to start. ------This is where things go downhill------- I still haven't received any updates so message the artist on June 3rd, and artist replies on June 4th with links to sketches and that she'll start coloring them right away even though this is not what was agreed on. Upon seeing sketches, I see that she has drawn my character Patches with Scar, and I tell her this. (I do like Scar and this artist has drawn them in the past, but I was not looking for that with these commissions). She states I didn't specify Steele, and asks to keep with what's she's done so she doesn't have to redraw. I state that I don't want that and want them how I described. Artist replies back that she completed coloring 1 of the pieces, is sorry that she did the incorrect character and admit to doing so, and offers a partial refund stating that even though it was her fault, she still is entitled to funds for her work done. (This completely blew my mind) It is worth noting that the piece she completed is so obviously hastily completed that I laughed at how horrible it was. Artist used a picture off the Internet for the background, and the coloring is rushed and absolutely horrid. Compared to her other works she's completed of the same type, it's clear that she spent no time at all trying to complete this. With the above in mind, I message the artist back, stating my absolute disappointment with their work, and ask them what would have happened had I not stopped them from completing both pieces, again, only supposed to have been done once sketches were approved? Seller states they will give me a refund, and this is the last time I ever hear from them. I ask 2 times where my refund is, artist reads DA notes, ignores/never responds. I send an ultimatum to artist; it is read and ignored (see above to see that note was read on DA). Dispute is opened with Paypal and ultimately denied due to being "digital goods" which aren't covered prior to 7/1/2015. It's worth noting when their new TOS went into effect on 7/1/2015, they would have been covered. They note I can attempt to get funds outside of Paypal, such as filing a police report. In the Paypal dispute comments, the seller is adamant they are still entitled to funds, and mention commission TOS that do not exist on their page (at least to where I can find them). TOS were also never mentioned in our communications. So with that being said, I've walked away from this feeling like I've been stolen from, and lied to. The artist has done nothing to communicate back to me or refund me, yet ultimately insists that because she did work (even though by her own account was wrong), she deserves to keep my money. And the sad thing of the matter is she's an amazing artist and this was probably some sort of fluke, but being a repeat customer of hers, I feel like I'm somehow been made the bad guy in her mind. Am I crazy? Did I do something wrong here? 😕
  24. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/865113.html 8th October Update: I was chatting with some others about Rach today and decided to check her Trello and noticed my Card was moved to a section called Cancelled/Refunding as shown in this screenshot: http://imgur.com/ZHB4psq so having been almost 2 months since I last messaged her I decided I would ask her why and relayed this message: http://imgur.com/vPP8VLV hopefully she will get back. WHO: RachVerity WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/rachverity/ https://www.weasyl.com/~rachelleverity | https://inkbunny.net/rachykins http://rach-verity-sketchbook.tumblr.com/ | https://www.patreon.com/rachVerity?ty=h Commission List: https://trello.com/b/kDddOtiK/commissions-list WHAT: 3 x Flat Colour Commissions as detailed in this picture http://imgur.com/IruU17G WHEN: Paid on 22nd December 2014 PROOF: http://imgur.com/BANmRVV she even posts the details on her Trello she makes later on http://imgur.com/jIGqXOg which is clogged full of so many commissions. EXPLAIN: Being new to commissioning I wasn't sure if 2 months was a long time for some simple art so I sent a message on February 13th asking whats up: http://imgur.com/sjepU63, she replied with http://imgur.com/r0WdkpY. Okay, she's the artist, who am I to judge I don't draw so I don't know how long it could take. On April 28th I finally get notified via a shout on my page http://imgur.com/R27RiPh about one piece being done. I'm excited and happy to have some progress done however it was neither done as I requested or to my characters reference. (NSFW Content) Posted Image: http://imgur.com/NReJ8UA, my girls Ref: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11793824/ I'm grateful for getting back to me and I send her a message that same day: http://imgur.com/zm0pgUW to which she replies http://imgur.com/w0WfLnh so its nice to see she is taking responsibility for the mistakes and is happy to fix it. June 4th, I noted her: http://imgur.com/4rlMcLX, her reply: http://imgur.com/ezuYlR2 July 18th, I noted again: http://imgur.com/gOEG5hC, her reply: http://imgur.com/1oW7VXi Honestly I don't know what she meant by the last note but now I'm just sick of it. I'm sick of waiting, I'm sick of the excuses and I hate the fact that I have been forced to come here and make a post just to try and get something resolved. If you're not going to do my art Rach then refund my $60, I refuse to accept and use that art drawn as it was neither done to how I asked or to my characters reference. I'm sorry to have to bring this to A_B but I was left with no choice at this point as I feel like you have taken my money and ran. Thank you.
  25. https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/864661.html WHO: Wyldfire/Wyldfire7/Fr0stbit3 WHERE: http://furaffinity.net/user/wyldfire http://furaffinity.net/user/fr0stbit3 http://weasyl.com/~wyldfire7 WHAT: Traditional 2 character NSFW sketch commission http://i.imgur.com/JCcdnQ0.png (details blurred out for NSFW reasons) There was more notes before this, but they just include me at first wanting a comic, but then not being able to pay, so we decided on a sketch image. WHEN: As you can tell from the timestamps on the notes, the commission was discussed, agreed on, and paid on August 1st, 2014 A rough time line of the situation from initial conversation, to 1st payment (or agreement of trade) to signs of trouble. http://i.imgur.com/tISUOYg.png I've blocked out the end of the email as the first part proves that Wyldfire is Fr0stbit3 PROOF: Discussion of commission: http://i.imgur.com/JCcdnQ0.png Payment: http://i.imgur.com/tISUOYg.png Note that the sketch is too hard, artist wanting to change it, and me asking for a refund instead: http://i.imgur.com/Y1gShFI.png More screenshots regarding the situation can be found in the explain area below. Explain: On August 1st, 2014, I contacted (on Weasyl) Wyldfire7. At first, I wanted a comic commission, but it was changed to a 2 character NSFW sketch commission involving a dragon of mine and one of his. It was paid for that very night. As I waited, I feel deathly ill and was unable to access the internet (nor was I physically able to) as I spent the next 8 months in the hospital. When I was finally able to get online again, I was expecting to see the sketch commission, as it'd been close to a year. Instead, I find a note that had been sent on the 24th of August, 2015, saying that the sketch was too hard, and if I wanted the commission still, I'd have to request a different pose. I was a little disappointed, but at this point in time I'd fallen away from the fandom and my characters, and was more interested in a refund. A refund was agreed on, and I'd sent my paypal information, the amount, and started to wait. About a month later, I poked him about my refund and received this. http://i.imgur.com/uUA9bh8.png I understood where he was coming from, so I resumed my waiting. Though I didn't log on for a while after I sent my last note, as I had a lot going on in my life and just assumed that he'd get to it soon, so I tried to give him space and not badger him about the refund. So when I logged back on about a month later to poke about my refund, and I received a note that contained a personal means of getting me my refund. I shall not repeat what was said here, but I will say that I was rather grossed out by it. A little while passed, and I decided to check my paypal to see if I'd gotten my refund. I, of course, didn't, but on my payment summary, I noticed something strange. The paypal email address that I'd originally sent it to (which was related to his Wyldfire/Wyld name) had been changed to Fr0stbit3works http://i.imgur.com/tISUOYg.png I was confused, as his name was still the same, it was just different. Soon after that, I visited the journal of one of my favorite dragon artist's on Furaffiinty, as I noticed that were opening for commissions and I wanted to see if I could afford one. Well, in the comments, I saw this http://i.imgur.com/2ACVkkX.png They have the same name as what the paypal address had been changed to. So I visited the userpage and saw that they're skype address was the exact same as the paypal address http://i.imgur.com/rfoF11b.png Please note that the Tier 1 commissin slot started at $60 and went up, so it's clear that he has enough to refund me. So I go back onto Weasyl, sent (and received) this http://i.imgur.com/eREiIAo.png I'll admit I was a little frantic as red flags were going up quickly, but I tried to control my emotions regardless. I was frustrated when I read the reply, about how I needed to be 'patient', so I just didn't reply as I'm sure I'd let my emotions get the best of me. About another month passed, and I visited his userpage again, and saw that he'd going to the movies to view Ant-Man, and would only have $15 left until he got paid again http://i.imgur.com/evnKMEA.png Him saying that he had 'nothing he needed to buy' is really frustrating to hear, given that I've been waiting for a while now for my refund. So I finally decided to shoot him a note (7/18/15) asking for a time estimate for my refund. What I got back... http://i.imgur.com/g0ryPTl.png He's claiming that I have him confused for someone else, even when I have all this evidence that he is indeed who I can prove he is. http://i.imgur.com/QUqHeB8.png I confronted him with a screencap of the paypal summary, and this is what he said. I was angered by this, so I didn't reply, as I know, again, my emotions would've gotten the better of me. (as a note, I've moved from Weasyl to FA, given that the note system is easier for me to keep track of) Mere minutes later, I get this note on my Weasyl http://i.imgur.com/NglAIdX.png After everything I've seen, I have the feeling that I'm just getting the run around at his point. As of 8/4/15, I have yet to receive a refund. I don't know what to do at this point. I paid with my paypal balance, so I can't contact a bank at all, and I'm well past the 45/180 days to file a chargeback. And I'm sure that posting this will cause me not to get my refund at all, but the least I can do is try to warn others about him before they get taken advantage of too. Please be very VERY wary of commissioning this artist.
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