bimshwel

I think I only ever refunded one person who tried to pay for a commission, because I had not yet agreed to it.  I base what I charge on the specific subject matter so I never take unsolicited payments up front.   I definitely prefer to use invoices, because I know shifty people who get art and then try to force refunds are out there.  So far I have usually been able to determine where clients come from or who else they know, so that provides a small sense of security.  Someone I never heard of through email, though, I would be wary of.

There have been a few people who insisted on initiating payment to me before I was ready to send an invoice and I had no issues with it. However, if someone is being deliberately evasive and you can't find past evidence that they get on well with artists and pay for what they request then being cautious makes sense.