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https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/847883.html WHO: Rach Verity, rachykins WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/rachverity/ trello with an insane backlog: https://trello.com/b/kDddOtiK/commissions-list WHAT: Digital art WHEN: First discussion on June 20th 2014, agreement and payment on june 25th 2014. Still waiting on art or refund. PROOF: Initial agreement on a journal post: https://archive.is/7XgP4 Relevant bit: http://i.imgur.com/be3gpyl.png Confirming through note: http://i.imgur.com/8us9VDu.png Payment: http://i.imgur.com/VtHrbzD.png (I actually gave $75 because I got a deal on the regular price of $100 and felt bad about it) EXPLAIN: Well, it all began a while ago. I needed a char sheet for a new character and since I commissioned her before and didn't have any problems with her, save for a single commission who was a bit late, but ot critically yet, I decided on rachVerity. Since I still had some details to work out, I started by just asking for her price, not yet a commission: http://i.imgur.com/hXPk5p5.png She answered that it would be about $100: http://i.imgur.com/NaTAO36.png Shortly after that, she made a journal about how she'd do "anything including ref sheets" for $60. I got a spot for that: https://archive.is/7XgP4 Relevant bit: http://i.imgur.com/be3gpyl.png which she confirmed through a note: http://i.imgur.com/8us9VDu.png Payment: http://i.imgur.com/VtHrbzD.png After some problems due to FA losing notes, I sent her the full description on June 25th: http://i.imgur.com/ll2uYbq.png which she confirmed: http://i.imgur.com/npdmUu3.png Just a couple of days later I sent her a note about how I'd like that ref sheet before another (pending at the time) commission, which she ignored, the other commission was posted a few days later: http://i.imgur.com/Ob04dxb.png I didn't care too much at the time because it was great and only a couple days later, I just felt like I should mention that. About 4 months later with no update, no word, no anything, I decided to inquire. I was kinda pissed at the time because while keeping me (and others from what I could see) waiting, she gave away one commission/YCH after the other and constantly made journals about how commissioners would surely get their stuff, which never happened. (During the whole time waiting, there hardly were a week without a commission journal going up, which still do, just go check her journals). Since I actually wanted that ref sheet as soon as possible and it was obviously not happening, I decided on cancelling the commission and getting a refund. Nice as I was, I offered to wait a bit for it because she posted in journals about getting a new place to stay and I know that this eats up money faster than garfield eats up lasagna. http://i.imgur.com/QGu9qK9.png She confirmed at the time that she would refund it: http://i.imgur.com/W8WkOD4.png She even offered to make it up with a free piece of art: http://i.imgur.com/dc11llr.png (I declined that one as it felt not right accepting that to which she said that I'd get at least a 50% discount on future commissions. I somehow don't think that's gonna happen) Another 3 months later I just asked what was up. I offered to convert it to a wing-it if that was easier (note that a wing-it is obviously less work than the char sheet it should have been): http://i.imgur.com/vIUrkSP.png She said that would probably be faster and that she rather saves for her birthday instead of paying her debt: http://i.imgur.com/BHqTNoS.png (didn't mind so much back then but I gotta say that's pretty shitty) I answered that it was up to her, refund or wing-it. 18 days later she actually sent me a message herself asking if she didn't owe me money: http://i.imgur.com/dXVkjQl.png I answered that we actually just discussed that and that she wanted to do a wingit instead. I again gave her the option to choose either. Even though $60 would be $15 less than I paid, at least it would be something.. She answered yet again that she'd rather do a wingit: http://i.imgur.com/iaAfkTD.png Now, I thought I sent a reply to that, but checking my outbox a bit later and nothing was there, so I confirmed that about a month later, which she in turn confirmed: http://i.imgur.com/kYgO4yY.png After yet another month with no update, art or refund, I just decided on a little reminder: http://i.imgur.com/kJpeSak.png Which she initially confirmed, while acting like I should feel bad for the reminder: http://i.imgur.com/xD3z8jr.png This kinda set me off, after 10 months of being really patient and obliging (in my opinion), offering to take a wing-it instead of the money, or even $15 less. I decided to answer in the same way: http://i.imgur.com/zLUex8R.png Her answer to that, "well, I'm in a bad mood so I won't say sorry", was the last straw: http://i.imgur.com/CFMaTgZ.png I don't think I'll ever get my money (or alternatively an image that is not half-assed). And I'm actually quite sad for it, I commissioned her plenty of times before and was always happy with the result, but somewhere has to be a stop or I'd still beg her for the money in 2 years. By the way, I found she had an entry here already: http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/829923.html Just thought I'd put that in a new one because of the time difference TL;DR: Asked for a character sheet to be done as fast as possible. Did nt get it. Cancelled it after quite some time because I wanted that char sheet and went to a different artist. After waiting for the refund for a while, I offered her to do a wing-it instead if that was easier. Got neither refund nor wing-it. EDIT June 1st: Got a wing-it, I think this can be considered resolved

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/845464.html Who: Thera Where: FurAffinity: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/thera/ Weasyl: https://www.weasyl.com/~thera Deviant Art: http://theramutt.deviantart.com/ What: 1. Animated Icon ($15 CAD) – One slot of several offered for animated icon. (Link to FA note) 2. 1-Character Digital, Soft-Shaded ($50 CAD) – Part of “Black Friday” commission sale. Subject was a SFW portrait of my werewolf character Vaarak. (Link to FA note) 3. 2-Character Digital, Cell-Shaded ($80 CAD) – Part of “Black Friday” commission sale. Subject was an NSFW kink picture of Zaelgolin and Sabre Dragon. (Link to FA note) *Note that Thera has since deleted all journals and comments referencing the above sales. When: 1. Animated Icon: Paid in full Nov 19, 2014, no progress of any kind to date. 2. 1-Character Digital: Paid in full Nov 27, 2014, no progress of any kind to date. 3. 2-Character Digital: Paid in full Nov 29, 2014. Requested a completion date of Feb 14, 2015 to be a valentine’s gift. The date was agreed to (link to FA note), but was missed with no progress. It was after this time I requested a refund for all three commissions. Thera responded by saying she could not offer any refunds, but would complete both this and the single-character commission during the following week (link to FA note). This date was also missed with no progress. Proof: 1. Link to payment receipt for animated icon ($20 CAD paid) 2. Link to payment receipt for soft-shaded commission ($50 CAD paid) 3. Link to payment receipt for NSFW commission ($80 CAD paid) Note that all of the above receipts are the result of Interac e-Transfers: a money transfer system only available in Canada. Explain: Let it be said that I never wanted to escalate things as a means of dispute resolution. This case is a simple example of an artist not following through on promises. While the above points illustrate the case rather well, I’ll try to give a broad synopsis: Having previously commissioned Thera (and quite liking the results), I jumped when I saw her sale on animated icons. Brief comments were exchanged, the fee paid and I was added to the list. A few days later, I saw Thera open another set of commissions for Black Friday. Having not commissioned any work lately, and really liking her art style, I took two slots: a single-character SFW commission and a two-character NSFW commission. All commissions were paid for in full as shown above. Having paid for the commissions in late November, I was really hoping for at least the NSFW piece to be completed by Valentine’s Day. This date was agreed to, but despite several notes (Note 1, Note 2) requesting updates, the date passed with no progress of any kind. Agitated, I asked for a refund. Thera apologized, but said she could not offer any refunds. In recompense, she assured me the drawing would be completed within a week, and even offered to do another piece for free. Giving her one last chance, I wanted until the end of the week only to again have the date missed with no progress. A few weeks passed before Thera finally posted an outstanding commissions list (now deleted from FA), dozens and dozens of pieces long. I contacted Thera with my concerns, but she assured me the piece would be completed that same week, and suggested I attend her stream. The date was schedule and I logged in, only to find Thera doing impromptu commissions for others. During the stream, she said she would not be working on any outstanding commissions that night, since she needed to take on new work. It was at this point that I sent a note threatening to post to Artists Beware if I was not refunded. Thera requested my payment details, which I promptly provided. After an additional three weeks of waiting, I have still not been paid, and am left with no recourse but to post my experiences here and hopefully warn other commissioners. Throughout all this, I do want to stress that Thera responded civilly and amicably in all notes, and made numerous promises to set things right. It is just unfortunate that none of these promises were ever fulfilled. Update: I have since been refunded in full for all payments noted above; this beware has been resolved.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/784276.html WHO: Okie/Vashram (http://www.furaffinity.net/user/vashram) WHERE: Zannah's Tigerdile Stream WHAT: Okie/Vashram commissioned a colored sketch of a mostly nude human female from me during a Sunday night stream when I was open for commission slots. The piece was hand drawn and colored in Copic marker, and finished during the stream. WHEN: Unfortunately, I do not have a log of the initial conversation because Tigerdile does not log chat sessions. However, Okie/Vashram sent me a note on FA at the time detailing what he was interested in. That was 7/13/2014 according to the PayPal invoice timestamp. It is now 7/28/2014. PROOF: 7/13/2014 - Initial note sent to me during the stream (date discrepancy due to timezone differences): 7/19/2014 - Reminder note sent: 7/22/2014 - Second reminder sent: 7/25/2014 - Warning shout posted to commissioner’s FA page: 7/28/2014 - Notice of blacklisting and post to Artists Beware sent: 7/28/2014 - Shout notifying blacklisting and post to Artists Beware posted to commissioner’s page: PayPal invoice history: EXPLAIN: Two days a week, I open my Tigerdile stream for while-you-watch commission slots, of work to be completed in stream. As I was raising money to cover a medical bill at the time, Okie/Vashram expressed an interest in getting a commission to help out. As per my terms of service, streamed commissions are expected to be paid upon completion at the very latest. Because it was getting late while I was working on his piece, Okie/Vashram asked that I invoice him via PayPal, promising he would take care of it the next day. I agreed, and sent an invoice to the address he provided for the agreed upon amount ($35.00). The artwork in question was finished that night, and scanned and posted the next morning. (NSFW: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13985453/) The invoice has not been paid, despite multiple reminders sent through PayPal. Notes to Okie/Vashram’s FA have also gone unread and ignored, as did a shout on his page. I do not like confrontation and I don’t care to call people out, but I completed the art in good faith, and have not been paid for it. I warned the commissioner in the middle of last week that I would be reporting him here, and blacklisting him from ever commissioning me again if he had not paid me by Sunday July 27th. That deadline has come and gone. Okie/Vashram is the first person to have ripped me off in years. Do not accept commissions from this person unless they pay you up front. UPDATE: Okie/Vashram also goes by the name Hertial. To date he has scammed TWO OTHER ARTISTS on Tigerdile with the same method he used on me, and may be active on other streaming sites doing the same thing! I've also had people contact me privately on FA to whom he owes payment. DO NOT TAKE COMMISSIONS FROM HIM!

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/783939.html WHO: Shizimiru on DA / Comico on FA WHERE: http://shizimiru.deviantart.com/ WHAT: I actually have a LOT of stuff on Shizi, but I'm still waiting on a couple screenshots from friends before I post a full...bio? On her, so the main focus of this AB is on MY character. The Character in question: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9912995/ I bought this guy from Shizimiru back in February of 2013, he was a part of her species, the Shimiren. He originally started out as an egg in an adopt auction ( what his egg looked like can be seen in the right-hand corner of the linked reference above) and I won him. I was sent and Invoice from Shizimiru to pay for him after I won him, in which I payed the invoice. Around May of the same year, I found out that Shizimiru is a big-time scam artist and wanted nothing else to do with her. Out of spite, she has tried to re-sell this character I bought from her several times over, refusing to admit that I payed for him even after showing evidence of the payment. As far as I know, its been resold at least twice and she is currently trying to again. WHEN: February 9th 2013- Now PROOF: Screenshots of the payment/invoice: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1qspcf4oxerklgv/Bhanu Payment 1 point 2.png?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/6spqbz9cnml9lhu/Bhanu Payment 2 point 2.png?dl=0 (if for whatever reason you think these screenshots are forged, I will be more than glad to do a screen-share or a stream to prove otherwise, just send me a note on my DA: Silverwindstar) Screenshots of her Reselling or Trying to Resell him: 12/7/2013: https://www.dropbox.com/s/frybnxba5fvhome/bhanu_reupload_shizi_by_crazylovecat-d6x48v9.png?dl=0 12/7/2013: https://www.dropbox.com/s/b7umhrj09li3muz/bhanu_shizi_screencap_by_crazylovecat-d6x3s42.png?dl=0 (this is a different upload. she uploaded it several times in the same day for some reason?) At some point after that she resold him to Emberfoxy1 on DA Link: http://fav.me/d72myo4 Screenshot: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wcw7qabprljk0f4/bhanu reuploaded by emberfoxy1.PNG?dl=0 Screenshot of All of the Shimiren from the egg batch: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sa8231nteg0lzbm/shimiren_screencap_by_crazylovecat-d6x3t53.png?dl=0 (she doesn't have permission to upload these but has anyways. As far as I know she hasn't tried to resell the others but I wouldn't put it past her.) Link of her currently trying to sell him (current date: 7/21/2014): Link: http://fav.me/d7ro8hu (EDIT: she changed the submission file to something else) Screenshots: https://www.dropbox.com/s/r1b1gmpvm81o4e1/bhanu reupload 2014 1.PNG?dl=0 (I had to zoom out so you could see the whole thing) https://www.dropbox.com/s/f7635stcprwvx19/bhanu reupload 2014 2.PNG?dl=0 (I zoomed back in so you can read what it says.) P.S.: Crazylovecat is my old DA name EDIT: she uploaded it again and disabled the comments (Date: 7/30/2014): Link: http://shizimiru.deviantart.com/art/Electric-Shimiren-FOR-SALE-471967515 Screenshots: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o38jpus4rgaehs2/bhanureupload73014_by_silverwindstar-d7t186g.png?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/yz3ee2daa5ho12h/bhanureupload73014_description_by_silverwindstar-d7t18el.png?dl=0 (zoomed in for the text here) Funny thing is, she refuses to admit I ever payed for him, yet she was willing to buy a commission from someone of our characters together?: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10392334/ You can obviously see her commenting on it and showing no sign that I had done something wrong. :I EXPLAIN: Sooo...I can't get DA to take anything down since I'm not the original artist of Bhanu's reference sheet. I talked to Kingneroche (aka Ibee) but it seems DA isn't really taking it seriously :< I sadly had the Admin Realitysquared work on my ticket and he responded very rudely and called the ticket 'resolved' when it most certainly isn't. Oh well, I've been working on redesigning Bhanu anyways, so that is that. I've given up on trying to resolve this with reason so I'm just going to move on and forget. However, I wanted to make an AB anyways to at least warn people not to buy this if you see it. Umm...if I think anything needs to be added I'll get to it later. Its late and just writing this has gotten my heart-rate up so I need to call it quits for now. EDIT IMPORTANT: I noticed some of you were commenting on her account. DON'T. Calling her out and leaving insults is not going to help the situation. If you want to warn people, then link them to this AB but don't go and start raising a mess on her account, its immature and your not making yourselves look any better by doing that. So PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ON HER ACCOUNT.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/782932.html WHO: CharChar2 on ChickenSmoothie lady--bug on Deviantart WHERE: http://lady--bug.deviantart.com/ WHAT: Digital Reference of my fursona. WHEN: Commissioned on October 6th, 2013. Trouble started about a week afterwards. PROOF: Conversation is read from the bottom to the top! [IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/mvq25u.png[/IMG] Also read from bottom to the top! [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/qo808x.png[/IMG] Payment proof: [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/1ruflw.png[/IMG] EXPLAIN: I commissioned them in October of 2013 to make a digital reference of my fursona. We agreed on the payment pictured above, and yes, pets are a valuable currency on that website. So, afterwards, I sent Charchar2 a PM with a description of the character. No screenshots of this because at the time, I hadn't seen any red flags. The description was along the lines of, "A cyborg German Shepard with a green belly, black top, and a robotic right forearm." She told me okay, and accepted the trade for the pets, and she'd get started right away. A few days later she messaged me and showed me the ref. Everything looked good, until I saw that the arm was a normal dog arm. None of the arms or legs were robotic at all. So I replied, told her everything looked good except the right arm was supposed to be robotic. Me, being naive and trusting, didn't take any screencaps still. She apologized, and told me that she'd try and fix it soon but she had other people waiting for commissions and was slightly busy. I was okay with that, and just told her to get it done as soon as she could. I waited for, probably until February of this year. I was quietly stalking her pages, watching her take more and more commissions while hoping that she hadn't forgotten to fix the arm. Still, I got nothing. A month later, in March, I was getting tired of waiting, so I messaged her and asked if she was ever going to fix the arm. She told me she had no idea what I was talking about and that I was probably confusing her with someone else. I showed her the trade, and told her what I had commissioned. She apologized and told me she would look through her files and see if she could find the ref and fix it. I told her that was fine, but let me know when she found it. So I waited again to July. I messaged her and asked her if she was going to redraw it, because I was assuming she hadn't found the file. Thats when that whole conversation occured. I admit I could have maintained a more calm tone, but I feel very frustrated that a simple fix that could have been easily done in 30 minutes would take over 9 months to tell me she had forgotten about it. UPDATE So, after telling me that she traded away the payment and doesnt have the pets anymore... http://i58.tinypic.com/2pzxjec.jpg . Yep. I did get my refund, but I don't think I will be commissioning them again. They're a great artist, as long as your character is mistake proof.

May 21, 2014 https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/768071.html WHO: Raikhan / deli-cat WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6003987/ http://raikhan.sofurry.com/ https://inkbunny.net/Raikhan http://deli-cat.tumblr.com/ WHEN: July 2012 - April 2014 PROOF AND EXPLAIN: Throughout the passed two years, I asked for updates and got either completely ignored for months at a time or received multiple "excuses" such as files got corrupted, or my mother has cancer. I stated multiple times that if the artist was unable to perform the duties to draw my commission I would be happy to just find someone else to do it and just get a refund. https://www.dropbox.com/s/7oxd1cfcocf53v8/excuse1.PNG https://www.dropbox.com/s/achlq8wuhsbqjod/excuse2.PNG https://www.dropbox.com/s/rov32ghc3rmvtn0/excuse3.PNG https://www.dropbox.com/s/62szgoanvjtfrp7/excuse4.PNG 7/1/2012 I query about price of the commission of 2 characters split payments agreement for progression on the commission for every payment https://www.dropbox.com/s/22gqwr147t04i2z/progression%20per%20payment.PNG 7/3/2012 Added additional character and renegotioated price. I organized the commission information in one large note with all the details needed for the art. https://www.dropbox.com/s/n228mpjp6ll4bs9/Commission%20Details.PNG 7/5/2012 Sent $50 payment https://www.dropbox.com/s/onn6hp93kqf3tfa/paypal%20transactions.PNG (this screenshot shows both my payments to her and the refund from her.) 8/9/2012 I am told that the sketch and color blocking is completed and asked if i want to see a WIP which I reply yes https://www.dropbox.com/s/ws91t9u4amgbf8u/sketch%20done.PNG 9/27/2012 I finally receive the WIP I was told was complete on 8/9/2012 I also sent another $50 payment https://www.dropbox.com/s/onn6hp93kqf3tfa/paypal%20transactions.PNG (same link as above, has all the transaction with the artist) https://www.dropbox.com/s/ucua4nluxjy9oa7/sketch.PNG https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lwj317ju5udo8u/sketch.jpg 5/11/2013 "color scheme" update https://www.dropbox.com/s/xy8aaexfi1p8z5v/matsi%20wip.jpg 5/11/2013 Last Contact until April 2nd 2014 when I posted into her shoutbox(she deleted these so I don't have screenshots of them) Here are 3 of the notes I sent to here one every few months asking for updates (since it took nearly 3 months just to get the sketches and because the poor communication I really wanted updated WiP before I sent the final payment because at this point I was already feeling like it was not going to ever be completed and I didn't want to lose even more money on it...) https://www.dropbox.com/s/zoj0h6sglel8gnh/ignored%20note1.PNG https://www.dropbox.com/s/93td92s9i13gpec/ignored%20note2.PNG https://www.dropbox.com/s/yq3jwg5b41en0vs/ignored%20note2%20still%20unread.PNG (you can see in this one that she STILL hasn't even read this note...) https://www.dropbox.com/s/pacvqiexnpcfr8m/ignored%20note3.PNG 4/2/2014 I get a response; stating that I never paid the full amount(I hadn't sent the 3/3 payment because I had no contact and received no updated WIP of the art, which should have been fully colored but not yet shaded... Also that I "never told her that the character had 3 heads and 4 arms" Artist stated she would be sending me a refund sometime within the next month minus time spent on the art, which she claimed was 2 hours(which certainly isnt 2/3 of the ~10 hrs I was charged total for the commission, going by the artists commission prices. Screenshot of her 4 shouts on my page: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lf2hsw8wv90tfhh/FA%20shouts.PNG The refund conversation went as follows... sadly I do not have screenshots of what I posted onto her page because she deleted them every time she replied: Her saying "You never paid the full amount and didn't mention that your char has 3 heads and 4 arms 😕 But I am done here, give me your paypal, I'll send you a refund." Me saying something about how I DID in fact say the character had 3 heads and 4 arms, and you can see that in the screenshots above where she even says something about how she wants to make sure the arms are positioned well.... and I also mentioned that I didn't make the final payment because she was ignoring me and not sending me a WiP where the picture was progressed enough to receive the 3rd payment. Her Saying The last WIP I provided was the main char almost done, atmosphere in, starting on bg. So much for WIP's not happening... Me asking When I will get the refund her saying "Mid of April minus the hours spent on it." Me asking hour many hours that was Her saying "2" 4/23/2014 I receive a "refund" from the artist of 50.56EUR, which is neither the currency the artist lists for what she charges for commission nor what I paid in, the transaction was also sent as a "payment for goods/services". this costed me several dollars in Paypal fees for being "a purchase" AND to convert the currency into USD, so instead of receiving a $70 refund from the $100 I paid, I wind up with $65. (I feel like this was very inappropriate, and that if you accept and list your prices in USD, the refunds should be in USD as well! And to send it in such a way that it charges me fees as if she was buying something from me instead of refunding my payments is nonsense.) https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrpdmno6yrrq5yt/currency.PNG I am happy that I at least got some of my money back, for over a year I thought I would just have no art and no refund...but I feel entitled to the remaining amount refunded and I feel scammed. I am posting this, not expecting to get anything more for me, but to warn others so that they do not have to experience the same thing I did from this artist!

Chronology below. Time stamped in Discord and Deviantart Chat is GMT+7. - The artist contacted me through Deviantart Chat on 24/01/22, offering commission service. We agreed to continue the conversation through Discord DM. - The artist and I discussed the details of the commission through Discord DM on 25/01/22. I agreed to commission a Low-grade Pin Up commission and paid for the commission through Patreon on 25/01/22. Artist confirmed that payment had been accepted on 25/01/22. - I contacted the artist on 01/03/22 to ask for update on the commission. The artist replied on 02/03/22, citing delay due to bereavement. - I contacted the artist on 08/05/22 to ask for update on the commission. The artist replied on the same day, citing delay due to real-life issues. - I contacted the artist on 12/07/22 to ask for update on the commission. The artist replied on 16/07/22, claiming that they had a WIP of the commission ready. I requested the WIP as proof of progress, but WIP was not provided. - I contacted the artist on 25/08/22 to ask for update on the commission. The artist replied on the same day, citing delay due to health issues. - I contacted the artist on 24/10/22 to ask for update on the commission and possibility of refund due to lack of communication initiated by the artist. The artist replied on the same day with a long, unclear response. I reiterated my firm request for updates and consistent communication from their end in regards for any delays. - The artist provided the WIP of the character I commissioned on 26/10/22 and I confirmed on the same day that the WIP had been accepted and I was satisfied with the progress. - I contacted the artist on 12/11/22, 17/12/22, 27/12/22, 04/01/23, and 22/01/23. As of 10/02/23, the artist has yet to respond since their last correspondence on 26/10/22.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/985429.html WHO: Koachellla WHERE: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/koachellla/ WHAT: Digital Art WHEN: Dec 17th, 2017, 08:03 PM — First Contact Dec 18th, 2017, 09:49 AM — Paid by my friend and myself Feb 18th, 2018, 03:18 PM — First Signs of Trouble EXPLAIN: In actuality, my friend who I was getting this commission with was the first person to contact this artist, but I filled out the actual details of what we wanted. On December 17th of last year, I wanted to get something with my friend because he wanted to get something with me. We contacted Koachellla about this and we set up a commission with her. We both paid on the 18th of December. It wasn't until February 18th that we received signs of trouble. I hadn't received the commission yet after I told her to send it in, so I contacted her art manager, who happens to also be her mate in this situation. He has a role in this feud as well because he told me he was going to contact her about the situation, and let me know if I was going to get a full on refund or a do-over (which I did not receive any of the sort. A few minutes or so after the message was sent, the hateful journal appeared, which proposed false information about contacting her mate about her own art commissions. Art managers are there for a reason, and if the situation where they need to be contacted is present, then there shouldn't be a problem about contacting the art manager. Following this, I received four malicious notes towards me from Koachellla, and after further reviewing the first note, a threat against me about stealing my money along with my friend. PROOF: https://imgur.com/a/L8Nkc Unprofessional-like behavior, spawning indirect hatred towards me, proposing false information about her TOS, etc. https://imgur.com/a/jcRx7 The threat, malicious notes, the lie from her art manager https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/399772003827187753/414895445442297866/731Jb7F6Ur5oLAz4S_KfQUWjRplaz1XUEJ2icua_-bs.png — The NSFW Image that we received https://imgur.com/a/zxZmh https://imgur.com/a/0ShbJ https://imgur.com/a/U7okJ https://www.dropbox.com/s/otrrqml4p6fnofs/Shadded for Serratia.png?dl=0 — The link where I received the commission NSFW on last image Resolution: I filed a dispute on the artist this beware is about, and after negotiating terms, the artist has decided to re-draw the image entirely, and give me and my friend what we desired in the beginning.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/978069.html WHO: FruitSuit Creations / ClemFox WHERE: https://twitter.com/FruitSuits (Business account) https://twitter.com/ClemFox_ (Creator account) WHAT: Fullsuit Fursuit commission ($3,605.00) WHEN: March 2017 - Initial communication April 2017 - Contract signed, project paid in full June 2017 - First notice project was running behind June 2017 - Notice commission would not be completed on time July - November 2017 - Further notice of commission delay EXPLAIN: In early 2017, I saw the first piece of this artist's work and was very impressed. After a few short conversations, we agreed on an expedited commission at a greatly increased price. Several close friends had vouched for her work by this point and many conversations and assurances were given that the expected completion time of Anthrocon 2017 would be totally doable. [Contract w/ completion date: https://i.imgur.com/ViRLy6Q.png https://i.imgur.com/jGIIjQW.png For some context, a previous Beware I had written led to the rushed circumstance. This is a suit I've been trying to have made since 2014. The original artist has since completely given up responsibility for the project. Explaining this situation, plus the premium price, is part of why the deal was agreed upon with such a deadline. My first concern came by way of being told she incurs a 5% convenience fee for using PayPal, something I had believed was against ToS. Given the sum of money already being spent here (again, 3600 dollars) I thought charging anything else was a little excessive. Needless to say, I went along with it and completely paid off that balance. After that time, I actually received regular updates, she streamed and showcased the work to me frequently, I actually believed I might really be getting this done! [Convenience fee: https://i.imgur.com/QPyzgyK.png [WIP: https://i.imgur.com/XxVDjoM.jpg [WIP: https://i.imgur.com/KfAhsyZ.jpg In early June I received the first communication that things would be suffering a delay. She complained of issues with drug interactions, stating her mood was too poor to be able to work. From this point onward, I only got one more follow up progress report on the suit. She continued to tell me about her diminished mental state and how she was unable to perform even basic, everyday functions. Come Anthrocon, I'm informed the suit would not be completed on time, but she would work tirelessly to get it done as quickly as can be. After July, she runs into a family health issue that takes several more months away from her projects, leading to the most recent updates in November where she has informed me she's suffered a shoulder injury and is, again, unable to perform even simple, daily tasks. [First issues: https://i.imgur.com/pLMAq9P.jpg [Second issues: https://i.imgur.com/BUgF7I8.jpg [Third issues: https://i.imgur.com/foAO9pU.jpg [Forth issues: https://i.imgur.com/8x7IlQb.jpg PROOF: Payment in full: https://i.imgur.com/rfZG0a1.jpg Contract Agreement: https://i.imgur.com/ViRLy6Q.png This has been a difficult thing to do. Given the issues with health and family she has communicated to me, I gave every bit of leniency I could before writing this and even still feed bad doing so--I even offered to waive the money I was to be refunded for not completing it in a timely manner. But excuse after excuse, something this artist seems to have a history with, has once more led me to believe this is another project I should not expect to see completed and certainly not for the added expense. EDIT: Original post updated to include a screen of the second page of the contract ( https://i.imgur.com/jGIIjQW.png ). The refund outlined here was indirectly referenced in the "First issue" link under explain, leading to its accidental omission.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/952211.html So I'm not sure if this still counts towards being a beware and honestly I was debating whether or not to even post it, but I decided I'd try to warn others. WHO: Mid-Nightshade/sephiroth. WHERE: FA: Mid-Nightshade FA: sephiroth FA: danteokami. WHAT: $20 YCH WHEN: Oct. 30, 2016 EXPLAIN: So the artist was had posted a ych, and I liked the theme of it so I ended up bidding on both slots. I was the winner at the end because no one else had bid. After the auction ended the artist contacted me, I sent payment and refs and all was go so I thought. I waited until January 8th to contact him again asking about the YCH. He told me he had planned to work on art the following weekend. Well I waited and the weekend came and went. He never posted any art so I have no idea if he actually worked on art. Following that I saw he had a discord server so I decided to join because updates on his FA weren't very often. I saw he was on pretty regularly and after some more time of waiting I sent another note on Feb. 24th. The note hadn't be read and I didn't want to call him out on his server because I know how furries can be, so in an attempt to try and get a respond I filed a dispute. A few days later I logged into discord to find I was kicked from the server so immediately I escalated my dispute into a claim. And the very day after is when I finally got a reply to my note on Mar. 3th. He was saying he would give me a refund that day. I replied back saying I did want the refund, but once again the note was never read. I ended getting my money back after Paypal decided in my favor. PROOF: Screenshots throughout post. Update: Okay bit of an update. A friend of the artist messaged me on facebook wanting explain. It was sent on April 14th, but because I have notifications of message from people who aren't friends turned off I didn't see it until yesterday. I declined to listen for two reasons. One being that it was pass the point for any explanations and two because the fact the artist himself couldn't be bothered to explain himself so why should I listen to one from a third party. I'm not trying to say the artist sent his friend though. Just that if the artist couldn't explain things himself then there's no point. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gav2mgvie7xugss/Screenshot_2017-04-30-14-05-13.png?dl=0

Originally posted on Jun. 6th, 2013 by animakitty Mod Note: The NSFW flag has been selected for content of some of the later conversation. Additionally, one sentence at the end with speculation how much Jace's health issues keep him from work has been removed as this would not be allowed if this were to be submitted today. Brian Harp (He uses his real name openly on his current place of business, http://www.furaffinity.net/user/jace/ ) aka Jace, owes me for ~300 dollars of money and goods paid for two multi-character full color commissions never delivered, one ordered in 2005 and the other in 2008. This year I offered him a final chance to do right by me, giving him four months to deliver what I was owed. That deadline passed May 31st, thus this account to warn potential commissioners of his inexcusable behavior. I approached Jace for a commission in 2005 when he still did business out of his website www.sharkie.net, requesting a piece of traditional art using one of his established characters and my personal character. I paid his rates at the time for a color piece, and though it's been so long I could have sworn it was more, the one reference I could find below indicates the first payment was $120.00 Jace insisted on being paid via check or money order instead of Paypal. (This of course prevented me from disputing the payment via Paypal. Small claims court is not an option for me, as {as I understand it} I would spend more than I've lost simply flying to California to attend the first court session.) (The mailing address is censored, as are a couple words to keep the rating down. This one-sided conversation was drawn from my web-mail account. My side is missing because apparently my web-mail doesn't retain the contents of my outbox nearly as long as the inbox.) Over the next two years I received nothing, not so much as a sketch, though Jace claimed he had gotten to work on my commission and had produced a sketch. I communicated with him every few months, not wanting to annoy him into giving up on my commission entirely. I had commissioned him expecting there to be delays, based on what I'd heard from some of his former customers, and I was prepared to wait months, even as much as a year. As the occasional pokes continued to produce no fruit, I grew increasingly frustrated. In 2008 Jace commented on a photo of some painted Nerf guns I had done and posted on Furaffinity, expressing enthusiastic interest in doing a trade for some Nerf work. I reminded him he still owed me art, and he said he'd finish the first piece and do a second for me if I would send him some guns...and some more money. I foolishly believed that now, having captured his attention, (I have personally witnessed that he is much more willing to actually deliver on his promises to people closer to him) that he would deliver on his promises. I boxed up several Nerf guns, some off-the-shelf, some personally modified, sent him another sum of money as well, and gave him the specifics on the second commission, another multi-character full-color traditional piece, which he showed every sign of being enthusiastic about. I had to go back through my notes on Furaffinity to find the details about the original commission for him, because he didn't have the faintest clue about what I had ordered from him. (Censored to keep it SFW.) Jace fell into exactly the same pattern. He told me he was working on it, then stopped communicating. I gave him a few months between reminder-pokes, and each time he had totally forgotten that he owed me anything, and made excuse after excuse about why he wasn't working on my commissions. These included medical complaints, 'I am moving,' 'I have a block on [that particular subject matter] right now,' and more. I watched with growing outrage as despite these excuses, he continued to draw for other people, taking their money and actually producing for them. January 2013 I finally emailed him and confronted him, kid-gloves off. I told him I'd been waiting eight years for one commission, five for the other, that I had been more than patient with him, and that I would give him one more chance to make things right between us. I gave him a deadline. I wanted my art by the end of May 2013. It was near the end of January when I contacted him, so realistically this gave him four months to deliver. I did not specify what would happen at the end of the deadline if he did not deliver; I made no threats. He opened the excuse floodgates again. Medical issues, moving... He insisted my deadline could not be met. I told him if he couldn't meet the deadline he could always refund my money. He said that was impossible, and claimed he was doing commissions for medication and food to live on at that point. To meet the deadline then, I told him he may have to put everyone else who was waiting on art on hold. I seriously doubted anyone on his current queue (that hadn't given up already) had a longer-standing claim than I did. I told him I would not yield on the deadline. Then he told me both commissions I had placed were impossible for him to complete. The character of his I'd wanted him to use was too personal and spiritually-linked to him for him to use at will, and the content of the second commission involved something he found repulsive. You can imagine how infuriating this was to hear. If these things had been true all along, he had never intended to do the work. If these things weren't true back when he took the commissions, it certainly looks like he's just inventing reasons not to do the work. He also insisted he could not do color work and still meet his deadline. I told him that if he wasn't able to produce the quality I had paid for, then the quantity must necessarily increase, so two color commissions should become three inked commissions. He stated he did not feel this was a fair exchange for me, and while I privately agreed, I told him *I* could decide that, and had. Literally having nothing to lose at this point but time and patience, I told him 'Fine, I'll come up with new commission ideas.' I came up with five new concepts. He rejected all of them. He suggested a sequence, using a new character. I set some parameters, and he told me he would create a concept sketch of this new character for me to approve. It was mid-March before that sketch appeared. (Given some of the things I suggested that he rejected for the character, it's possible he had already drawn this character and just pulled it out, claiming he'd just sketched it. I'll never know.) He even seemed excited about the character. I approved of it, and we agreed on the last details for the commission. Before that sketch, and since, he has streamed almost weekly, and submitted other art on FA. He is working steadily, just not on my pieces. I told him back in February I would not be hounding him. It hadn't worked in the past, and I didn't expect it would work this time around. As long as it was done by the end of May I didn't care what pace he worked at. He could do it all the day before for all I cared, as long as the work was up to snuff. But he delivered nothing, has probably forgotten about me again, and I am finished wasting my time trying to recover what he stole. I have other emails and IM logs available for anyone desiring further proof. Whatever his intentions were, Jace took my money and my goods while reneging on his side of the deals, exhibited extreme disrespect and callousness in how he dealt with me, and betrayed my trust. Even after being offered a chance to make things right, even being permitted to completely change the deals he had entered into with me to accommodate him, he failed to put things right. That's all his doing.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/932724.html The incident occurred earlier in the year, but the artist is again taking commissions without finishing her current list. (Some of the people on the list have been waiting for over a year.) I am putting a record up here just in case. WHO: Sharkfu on DA Fraud on FA Vicious on Weasyl dydoe on Tumblr Former usernames include: bohemianjc (Twitter/Twitch/?), Atroci (DA), Debauches (Facebook), Plushiez, JamieBroLol WHERE: http://sharkfu.deviantart.com https://www.furaffinity.net/user/fraud WHAT: Several digital art commissions. There were at least two that were spaced several years apart. (screencaps below) WHEN: Our interactions began in early 2013. She was in a financial crisis and her bank had charged her an overdraft fee. I helped her out by giving her a small loan and when she still could not make ends meet, I commissioned her for a drawing. We fell in and out of contact until summer of 2015, when she was once again in a financial crisis. I commissioned her yet again. In the summer of 2016, I began noting her about the commission, whether she intended to finish it or issue a refund. I got one response saying that she would be willing to refund me, but nothing afterwards. She then posted her journal offering to sell a gryphon design, which is when the screencaps begin. PROOF: Our conversation: http://sta.sh/222ie5e1znd0?edit=1 Backup link: http://imgur.com/a/UC2WV EXPLAIN: I approached offering a trade: clear all of her debt (and then some) in exchange for the gryphon. I included PayPal screenshots in case she had forgotten about the art. She refused the trade, then attempted to get out of refunding the full amount. (The latter might have been a simple misunderstanding on their part.) She then claimed that she had not received any payment from me. After having PayPal send copies of the receipt to her and providing additional screenshots of receipts, she acknowledged that I had paid her, but insisted that I had sent the money as a gift or loan instead of payment. She also seems to be under the impression that after PayPal buyer protection runs out, she is under no obligation to complete owed work. In addition, she posted several journals asking commissioners to remind her of owed work. Though I did indeed comment on two of them, she deleted the journals and declared that not commenting on the journals meant that I voided all of her obligations. In the end, I provided a screenshot where I did indeed commission her and I finally got my refund. Though I was lucky enough to receive a refund (and indeed, several others have), there are others who are still waiting. The artist always seems to be in some sort of financial crisis and takes emergency commissions which she does not always complete. EDITED 11/14/16 with more alternate usernames.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/922190.html WHO: Jaykuma / DatPisces WHERE: NSFW http://www.jaykuma.deviantart.com/ NSFW https://www.furaffinity.net/user/datpisces/ WHAT: An art trade WHEN: 4 months ago we started talking, 3 months ago scheduled it to be 2 months ago, told today it was cancelled after doing part of mine and being ignored for two months PROOF: Agreement on the trade: http://i.imgur.com/y1FuipO.png and NSFW http://i.imgur.com/P8Eso5Q.png My completed work of the trade (about half of my part asked for) NSFW http://i.imgur.com/tgBSaNM.png Their cancellation http://i.imgur.com/OhY7X6U.png EXPLAIN: Jaykuma on deviantart/DatPisces on Furaffinity had agreed to an art trade with me 4 months ago. http://i.imgur.com/y1FuipO.png They said we'd need to schedule it to be a month later. http://i.imgur.com/WZiQB2i.png Fast forward a month and they say they're starting their half tomorrow at 2am Est. http://i.imgur.com/0iD45y2.png So we work out the specifics and I start working on my half of the trade. NSFW http://i.imgur.com/P8Eso5Q.png After a few days I contact them again with what I had finished (NSFW http://i.imgur.com/tgBSaNM.png) at which point they let me know that they haven't started but they'll be done with the first part by the end of the week (because they started playing Overwatch http://i.imgur.com/K85BRA9.png). I figure alright, I'll be patient. I wait 3-4 weeks and hear nothing back from them so I send a note saying it's been a while and asking if they're still active. They read it but don't reply. A couple of weeks later I send another note asking if they forgot to reply or is something up. They don't bother opening the message. After another month of them ignoring me I decide to message their DA account asking if they could get back to me on FA. They reply saying sorry but they need to cancel the trade because "I've been busy with patreon stuff". http://i.imgur.com/OhY7X6U.png Normally I don't care if a trade gets cancelled, stuff happens. However the "starting soon!" followed by being ignored for two months then cancelled after I already did the first half of my part so that they could play videogames is incredibly rude, especially since this was scheduled a month in advance followed by two additional months. EDIT 1: As comments here suggested I let Jaykuma/DatPisces know that they can pay me for the part I've done and asked if they'd do so. They decided to not answer the question and called my persistence in being compensated "annoying" and fed me a BS sob story. http://i.imgur.com/bGg3w3t.png In the 1-2 months before our scheduled start of the trade right up to the day they said they'd start there was zero mention of time problems. The only time this was mentioned as a problem is the moment he owed me art and it's an outright lie as right as we started the trade he spent over 100 hours playing Overwatch during that month alone. I sent another message asking again if they'd compensate me and it is currently being ignored. I know he's seen the message too which is immensely frustrating. At this point I'm done dealing with them and all I can really do is hope others read this before being treated like I have.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/903826.html WHO: PossiblySatan (DA), ActuallyCrowley (IG), HabaneroPup (AC website). WHERE: http://possiblysatan.deviantart.com/ , https://www.instagram.com/actuallycrowley/ , https://www.anthrocon.org/user/70644/habaneropup ; Transaction took place on Facebook. WHAT: Trade; pre-designed fursuit partial for some DVC supplies. WHEN: January 13th, 2016 to now. PROOF: Agreement cap, rest will be below: http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682725615300.png EXPLAIN: Transaction began January 13th, see cap above. The post where we made our initial agreement is unfortunately not available any longer, but I think the screenshot explains it. We then discuss them purchasing me extra items from DVC, in which I make a basket and ask if it's okay to which they agree. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682735037900.png At this point we exchange shipping addresses. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682737813000.png I send out my half and give them a tracking number, they don't look at my messages for a few days so I give them a poke. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682780400500.png They apologize for the lack of replies and tell me why they haven't shipped their half yet. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682780328800.png They end up shipping out their first half of the trade that same day, giving me proof of the transaction. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682720564800.png Their half arrives in the mail. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682742967600.png Like they had predicted, it got damaged and one of the horns fell off. I don't know much about apoxy so I end up selling it to someone else through FA (post was removed after sale went through, sorry). Couple days go by, I ask them about the supplies. They reply that they're in a tight spot financially. They didn't reply to my messages (or look at them, Messenger will let you know if someone does) so I make a pre-mature threat about writing them up on here. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682712344900.png They get upset and tell me that they're having a hard time with their job and such, then get mad at me for selling the skull head after offering to send me back the partial I traded to them. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682799866700.png http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682710160900.png http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682764952200.png At this point I'm tired and I just want my second trade half so I say this. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682719969000.png They send me some videos of the suit (unrelated) and we agree that they will end up buying me the rest of the supplies. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682778083300.png http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682712646600.png Over a month goes by with no word from them. I ask about the parts again, they're still not ordered. I suggest selling the suit to get more funds and they agree. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682745650400.png The suit is re-sold at this point (again, post was probably taken down since it was sold). A week or so later I poke them, they let me know that they've worked out a payment plan with the new owner. We're now into April. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682775133200.png April 23rd I ask again. Still not ordered, car problems. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682711462400.png Today (April 29th) they order a tongue and the jawset. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160501C/ezimba12682743587100.png They let me know they're ordering it all in parts and not in one order like we originally agreed to. Note that they said "everything will be ordered" in the April 24th message, then say that they corrected themself without telling me. http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682714629000.png They tell me how long they think it will take to order the parts, then let me know it's "whatever". http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682763995900.png http://www.ezimba.com/work/160430C/ezimba12682780857900.png At this point I just hope I'll get my stuff at some point. It's being dragged out for too long, multiple financial excuses, "whatever".

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/897763.html WHO: Huskynugget WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/huskynugget/ WHAT: Physical Art Badge WHEN: Commissioned/Paid December 22nd, 2015 / Paypal Claim filed March 6th, 2015 PROOF: Screenshot of commission entry saying it would be shipped Dec 26th-30th/Start of Commission & proof of payment This message is from January 26th, over a month after when they said they would ship. They did send me this image, proving that the commission was finished. Still not shipped by Feb 6th. I sent them on email on Feb 5th after they failed to reply on FA despite adding favorites on their account. Still nothing and hadn't heard from them by Feb 16th. Didn't hear from that that Thursday, but finally on Feb 23rd, they said they shipped it out. After not recieving anything... EXPLAIN: I commissioned this user for a physical badge on December 22nd, which they said in their original post would be shipped out between December 26th-30th. They finally sent me a completed picture of the badge On January 26th - nearly a month after the projected ship date. Though waiting so long was annoying, I wasn't too concerned yet, especially considering they sent me a picture. However, after that, it took them another whole month to get it supposedly shipped out. I would normally be understanding even considering this, but the artist never once contacted me first regarding this commission - it was always me sending them messages, asking for updates after not being contacted, and I even sent them an email once after not being replied to on FA. Their reasoning for being slow on shipping was because of snow and not being able to make it to the post office, and I get it - the weather gets fierce over on the east coast. However, after not receiving anything for nearly two weeks, they said they couldn't provide proof of shipping because they had just "dropped it in the mailbox." ...Despite their previous excuses. On March 4th, I very nicely explained why I was unhappy with this entire transaction, and asked for a partial refund. I felt this was fair, considering a) how long it took them to complete and ship out, b) poor communication on their part, and c) no good reasoning for why it took so long. They became defensive and said they were not trying to scam me (which I never claimed they were), and just gave me more excuses. They did offer to make me a full body badge free of charge, but I must admit that I'm no longer interested in working with them after this whole thing - for how long the first one took, I don't really trust them to complete and ship another one in a timely manner. I replied to them and told them all this, and they didn't respond. It hasn't been too long since sending my last message, but despite this, I decided to file a paypal claim after getting some advice on the matter from others in the community. They also said it was just a letter, so it's safe to assume that this was sent first class mail. While I acknowledge that mail could just be delayed, I've never had a first class letter take this long and actually make it to me. I also don't even have a high quality digital version, since they sent me a photo and not a scan (though I have no interest in owning digital art anyway, and the physicality of the art was important to me). Even if the badge does show up - which I think is unlikely considering my experience with buying/selling with the mail system - I still feel it's necessary to make this post based on their poor service. UPDATE 3/14/16: So literally a day after I submitted this post, the artist said the badge was returned to them in the mail. Thankfully they were quick to send it out again, this time with a tracking number, and showed me proof of shipping on top of that. I'm glad that it worked out in the end. ;-; Cause in the past, this type of situation has not for me, aha.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/886993.html I agreed to do a trade with FA user Lyshastra back in July. We met on Facebook, and she agreed to trade me for a plush that I had premade. We agreed on a trade for the plush of $10 + 4 bookmarks, and agreed to make the trade at Anthrocon as we were both attending (and I had a table, making it easy to swap). She never showed, and after the con asked me if I would ship the plush. I behaved unprofessionally in that I agreed to ship despite the discomfort I had with shipping her the plush despite not seeing any evidence that she had even worked on my half of the trade. Because of my anxiety issues, I did not express this to her and instead delayed shipping for months, hoping that she would eventually post evidence of the half of the trade I was supposed to receive. I definitely acknowledge that I didn't handle this the way I should have and I feel like I've learned more about speaking up about my discomfort in trade situations like this because of it. Regardless, no evidence showed up, she eventually became frustrated with me and my agreeing to ship but never doing so. She contacted me again in October about it. I felt really bad at this point, and finally shipped the plush to her. At this point, I still had not seen any evidence that she had even picked up a pencil to work on my trade. I asked her about their status, and she claimed to have mailed them to me already but that they were sent back to her... Some time passed after my shipping her half of the trade. She didn't respond to me for a long time (me asking her if she received the plush) until I threatened to post her on here... then she responded within seconds lol. Shortly after she posted pictures of two of the four completed bookmarks on her FA account. Weeks passed again. I told her I wanted evidence that she had shipped the bookmarks. Weeks passed again with nothing. I posted publicly on her Facebook page asking about the bookmarks and she said to message her about it privately to remind her. She never responded. This was on November 30th. I would offer screenshots of the Facebook posts made to her account but she has unfriended me. Her FA page: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/lyshastra/ Link to screenshots of our Facebook convo ( some things were cut out that were just conversational, but I can grab those if anyone needs anything else inbetween these for clarification, I just wanted to keep the post succinct): http://imgur.com/a/Gqf5u ^ I'm Sam Williamson. I've blurred out her name, though she has been posted to here using her IRL name as well. I don't expect anything at this point. She obviously doesn't plan to actually compensate me for the shipping I paid to send the plush to her that we had never agreed on me paying OR my bookmarks, but I really really highly discourage anyone from commissioning or trading her. It was a really bad experience.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/844349.html WHO: Squeedge/SqueedgeMonster FURAFFINITY TWITTER MAIN TUMBLR & ART TUMBLR WHAT: A pre-order of her "Tyrant King" shirt. WHEN: The shirt was ordered in December of 2013 with an estimated delivery date of January 2014. PAYMENT: Here. EXPLAIN (&PROOF): Back in early December 2013, I saw that SqueedgeMonster opened up pre-orders for her Tyrant King t-shirts through Twitter. It was supposed to be a "last printing" of the design and I couldn't pass up the opportunity because I really liked the design and I didn't want to miss my chance. I understood that the shirts wouldn't arrive until after Christmas. They were scheduled to be shipped in early January. I still haven't received mine and communication, directly or indirectly, has been practically non-existent since payment was sent. During the pre-order, over 100 shirts were purchased. I lost the proof for this when this was sent back to me for revisions, and when searching for it again I discovered that all of her tweets prior to June 2014 seemed to have disappeared. In early January, she made a post on Twitter about the shirts being sent out to her from the printer and her receiving them. In late January, Squeedge made an update about the shipment of her shirts on Tumblr. Apparently a lot of them were stolen before being scanned at her local post office. My shirt was a large, so it was not in the first box of shipped shirts. I waited it out. After the post office fiasco, I didn't contact Squeedge for several months as she was going through personal issues at the time and didn't think it would be appropriate. After things seemed to simmer down, I tossed her a message on Tumblr sometime in April (which I don't have proof of thanks to Tumblr's lack of outbox function). A few days passed and this was posted. That was the last time I heard anything pertaining to the shirts. In June I was looking through my Twitter feed when a re-tweet from Squeedge appeared; it was someone wearing their Tyrant King shirt. It looked as though the shirts had finally been shipped out. I dug a little bit to see when they were sent so I could know when to expect mine, only to discover that she'd put what was supposed to be a "final run" design, which she'd emphasized plenty of times in her advertisements back in December (seen here), up in her DesignByHumans shop. This admittedly upset me. In early September, I made my Twitter public (usually private to keep spam accounts at bay) and tried to initiate contact. It was met with no response. I attempt contact again later in the month, to which she actually replies saying she'll e-mail me later that night. She never did. I finally decided to shoot her an e-mail myself (found on one of her Tumblrs). She responded a few weeks later with this. I never responded to it because, well, I really didn't know how. In the meantime she opened a Patreon which seems to be turning a decent profit, designed several new shirts and put them up for sale in her online shop (and continues to do so), gone to conventions and taken on numerous commissions -- but she hasn't been in contact since the e-mail above. I put this off for as long as I could in hopes that the situation would work itself out, but I've reached my breaking point. I just want this resolved so I can enjoy her work again.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/830804.html WHO: Thug on FA / Monsterites on tumblr / Monsterite on dA WHERE: I commissioned them on their FA account [ Thug ] but they seem to have abandoned it. They have accounts on dA ( Monsterite ) and on tumblr ( monsterites ) and weasyl ( thug ) WHAT: Digital bust of my character, 20 usd in value, to be completed in 2-5 weeks or so. WHEN: I commissioned them on 10th of October, and paid on the same date. I've not received any contact from them since 19th of November 2014 despite my attempts at contacting them and posts on tumblr stating they would be getting in touch with customers. Proof and explanation under cut. PROOF: Commission journal on FA: http://s20.postimg.org/xle6h2w3h/ab_2.png My note to them/them accepting my commission: http://s20.postimg.org/mxafi8m4d/ab_3.png Proof of payment: http://s20.postimg.org/gobbjfke5/ab_1.png Unread note on FA: http://s20.postimg.org/yi6tkq3gd/ab_4.png EXPLAIN: I commissioned thug on 10th of October for a bust; initially everything went well. The original turnaround time stated on the journal [x] was about weeks, but "may be as long as a month." I paid and began waiting. After a month I had not heard anything from them, not even a "this will take longer than expected", so I shoot them a pm: http://s20.postimg.org/jq23tdxj1/ab_7.png The note got read but I received no reply, so I sent them another PM a week later: http://s20.postimg.org/atrbpg6wt/ab_6.png This time they replied and told me they had a chaotic time real life, and told me they had a sketch for me and could work a stream. I declined this offer, because I too have a spotty schedule and from my understanding we also live on different time zones. They did not offer to show me the sketch and I didn't have the sense to ask it as I was under impression they'd already started and could finish it on a timely schedule, so this is my bad and I have no proof they have even started my artwork. On December 3rd I sent them another note where I simply asked if they could e-mail me instead of using notes on FA. This note is still unread and they have no recent activity on FA, leading me to believe they have abandoned the account. They gave me no other means of communication. Towards the mid/end of December I decided I would try and find the artist on other sites just to see if they were alright. I went to their tumblr and decided to see if they have finished and posted my artwork on tumblr and just forgotten to tell me (it would not be the first time this has happened to me) and found out they had posted this [x] promising to contact/refund everyone if they had not finished art by the 1st of Jan. Satisfied with this I decided to just wait. I received no contact from then on 1st of Jan, but decided to wait some time before contacting them, just in case. February came and I became a bit anxious over the fact they had not contacted me despite these several [x] post [x] on tumblr. I sent them an ask on tumblr [I have no proof of this as tumblr message system is really bad 😞 ] A few days later they had had activity on the site and I had received no reply or contact from them. I sent them a new ask, and also decided to go and check my PayPal receipt, and found their e-mail addresses. I sent them this e-mail to both of their addresses. It's been a month since and I have yet to receive a reply. I've sent one more ask to their tumblr, which has not been answered. I have no idea how to contact them -- I don't want to pressure them too much, but not receiving any kind of communication from them when they have repeatedly promised to contact customers is making me think they have forgotten about me, and even if they have not received any of my messages they still have my FA they could use to contact me. From what I understand their rl if pretty hectic at times, but I don't feel like this excuses the complete lack of communication. At this point I'd rather have a refund than the art, but if they have started the art already and would just contact me I would gladly take the art too. I had not problems waiting, but I do have problems with the utter lack of personal communication, posting on tumblr (which I don't follow) instead of directly contacting me and promising to contact people and then not contacting me. I have not been able to contact this artist for several months despite them being active, and since accepting commission I've only received one message from them. EDIT: Shortly after this post went live, the artist has contacted me and issued me a refund! The matter is now resolved.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/825282.html Where: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/spazzykoneko/ What: Digital art. A drawing of two of my anthro pokemon characters. When: I sent Spazzy an email back in October 10th 2014 and I got a reply about it on the same day. After being told how long it would take, I've not heard a single word about that commission from Spazzy. Proof: All screenshots files has a timestamp of my taskbar. I did not blur out the artist's email name because it's the same as the Furaffinity one and I did not blur out my own Furaffinity name to prove that it's me posting those comments in two of the files but my Deviantart profile has my legal name in it so I blurred that out. I used paint to put together a few of the screenshots to lower the amount of files. The commission mail exchange, I did not hear from Spazzy again about this after telling me how long it would take. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/7dudefs87kjrtbr/spazzy koneko 1.png?dl=0 Paypal email proof that I did send the money. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/exymbqqxz89wfbu/spazzy koneko 2.png?dl=0 Roughly three months later she announced that she was open for commissions. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/3tj9id0hfwdiwvl/spazzy koneko 4.png?dl=0 Almost two weeks ago where I poked Spazzy about the commission that I had not yet recieved. I didn't get a reply. Included the latest shout on the profile about someone else who's having undelivered art from Spazzy and two comments from her latest journal, both of which got no replies. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/dd657844decrde3/spazzy koneko 3.png?dl=0 Explain: Spazzy accepted a commission from me. I paid her on October 10th 2014 and after that day I did not hear from her about it again. She has though kept announcing that she's open for commissions and several people have been posting their concerns about her not responding to their mails and not being on the commission queue list. EDIT: I once again today poked Spazzy about my missing commission, and finally I got a reply from her. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/zodks2o9h1gm4wi/spazzy koneko 5.png?dl=0 However in the mail that I sent, which was the same string of replies as the original commission mail exchange, she revealed that it wasn't done yet but that she would try to get it finished in the next couple days. I will poke her again about it on Thursday if I haven't gotten a reply yet to find out how it's going. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ym1o1b1hs7smve5/spazzy koneko 6.png?dl=0 EDIT: The picture has been finished and sent to me. After 4 days I decided to give Spazzy a poke on email again since she said "next few days". She responded 10 hours later saying that she had had computer problems with the latest windows update and that she promised to deliver on it before she headed to bed. She also mentioned that she had been pointed to the two uploads about her on here and she was very apologetic about it. Around half past 5am pst she delivered and I'm very happy with it. https://dl.dropbox.com/s/otmw3ftl0hyvglu/spazzy koneko 7.png?dl=0 Remember, we are not Twitter, Facebook, Toyhouse, or DA. You must supply proof and make your beware readable.

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/777201.html WHO: PurpleSlushie WHERE: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/purpleslushie/ WHAT: Fursuit head WHEN: November 10, 2013 until Now [June 20, 2014] Summary: Months of waiting for a fursuit head, still haven't received it yet.. PROOF: http://i.imgur.com/GBw8ufe.png http://i.imgur.com/IUBN7WI.png http://i.imgur.com/WPtqnqe.png http://i.imgur.com/ah594wY.png http://i.imgur.com/nsh0lhB.png http://i.imgur.com/aVMUvNI.png http://i.imgur.com/Ms7r05N.png http://i.imgur.com/gmgVIte.png http://i.imgur.com/QkQG7kf.png http://i.imgur.com/CNGSB8g.png http://i.imgur.com/TleWOlL.png http://i.imgur.com/KH5wiJM.png http://i.imgur.com/mq5iUqS.png http://i.imgur.com/WierFes.png http://i.imgur.com/Aj1R302.png http://i.imgur.com/PgJcrqr.png EXPLAIN: November 10, 2013: I've asked PurpleSlushie if she was opened for commissions and I wanted her to finish my head base. She asked to see photos of the headbase. [http://i.imgur.com/GBw8ufe.png] She said she can modify the muzzle for $300 [http://i.imgur.com/IUBN7WI.png] and accepted the commission request. I was definitely interested and pursued on doing business with her. She wanted full payment upfront before she does any work [http://i.imgur.com/WPtqnqe.png]. November 17, 2013: A week went by and I had enough money to send her the $300 for the commission. She also wanted another $20 for an extra attachment for my fursuit head, which I was fine with. [http://i.imgur.com/ah594wY.png] PayPal transaction here: http://i.imgur.com/nsh0lhB.png December 17, 2013: I haven't head from PurpleSlushie in a month, so I wanted to know if there was any updates, so I've sent her a note asking when I be able to send me my head so she can modify it. She said I can send it any time before the end of December. [http://i.imgur.com/aVMUvNI.png] January 28, 2014: I've already sent out the head and still haven't heard from her if she's gotten the head or not, so I've sent her another note, asking if she's received it. She said she got it on that day and she asked if it was OK for her to modify the lower jaw. [http://i.imgur.com/Ms7r05N.png] January 30, 2014: I've asked for her PayPal address again so I can send her the extra $20 for the head accessory attachment. She said she is going to try her best to make it because she hasn't done anything like that before. She also said the fursuit head would be done by the end of that month, or by mid-March. [http://i.imgur.com/gmgVIte.png] February 25, 2014: Another month goes by without any updates, so I've noted her again. She said she's done modifying it and it's ready to be furred. She also requested my e-mail so she can send pictures. March 22, 2014: Haven't heard from her in a month again, but I've received a note from her cousin, saying she will be furring the face and ears, and do detail work around the eyes. [http://i.imgur.com/CNGSB8g.png] After receiving that note, I felt so relieved seeing an update on my fursuit head. She said she'd send me more photos later on in the week. [http://i.imgur.com/TleWOlL.png] April 17, 2014: Her cousin sends me a note again, updating me. She asked what kind of nose I wanted. [http://i.imgur.com/KH5wiJM.png] May 26, 2014: I've sent her another note asking for an update, she replies, promising to send me more photos and having it finished by the weekend. [http://i.imgur.com/mq5iUqS.png] Excited with the good news, I asked if she will be able to ship it ASAP and provide a tracking number for it, she says there will be a tracking number but she was unsure if she can ship it ASAP because of unreliable transportation. [http://i.imgur.com/WierFes.png] June 4, 2014: Still not receiving any more pictures, I've left her a shout on her page and she responded, saying that the head is ready to be shipped. She also waiting to get a new camera so she can send me more pictures in a couple days. [http://i.imgur.com/Aj1R302.png] June 9-16, 2014: I've sent her an e-mail, because she asked if it was my e-mail so she can send me the pictures of my fursuit head. After waiting for months and months for pictures, I've already become impatient.. [http://i.imgur.com/PgJcrqr.png] As of now, June 20, I still haven't received any more word from her. It feels like every time I contact her, she promises to send me pictures, which she doesn't. It also feels like she is avoiding me. I feel like I've lost $320 and I cannot dispute with PayPal to get a full refund back.

Originally, artist and I agreed on a 150 USD budget on animation to help take care of costs because he was looking for work to be able to feed himself. Artist insists he would do weekly updates. What followed was months of silence, and updates only whenever I would ask for them. These "updates" would never include actual proof of progress on the work. False promises of delivery and asks for more money always followed each update request I would send. In the end, they provided a paypal email different from their original, saying they needed "storage" to be able to deliver the final file. They have recently asked for more clients as close as the past month. They should not be trusted to deliver their work or offer refunds for working with them.

I DMed StormSoulSeeker from the Art Fight Discord server on March 5th, 2024. I found them via the #art-trades channel, where users advertise their open art commissions. We agreed to do an art commission. I finished my piece on the same day, and the last time I heard from them was March 7th 2024. I reached out to them on Discord several times (most recently June 13th 2024), along with Toyhouse and Art Fight. While I cannot know whether they have been on Discord since March 7th, Toyhouse and Art Fight data shows that they've been online since my attempts at communication, with 0 response. Screenshots of original agreement (Discord): At several points between the above reminder messages, I messaged them on Toyhouse and Art Fight. Toyhouse screenshots: With time stamp: Toyhouse stats showing last time logged in as of June 16, 2024: With time stamp: Art Fight Profile Comment: Art Fight stats as of June 16, 2024: As a side note, I reported this to a mod from the Art Fight Discord (where the art trade was initiated): An attempt to contact the artist on ArtFight was made, but despite being active on the site as of June 30th, she has not responded. She also deleted the shout made on her page. She had sorted herself into a team indicating intention to participate in ArtFight for July of 2024

I've met through this client through discord server as I've noticed that he was looking for animators and decided to work with him. Everything was going great as the client was providing me with references and etc. The commission was a walking bouncy boob cycle and the second option was my choice which was the shaking butt animation... What I didn't know and it was something that he told me last minute after putting all of details and working on the second animation was that he wanted it as a sequence all together which I've declined because that was over the budget limit that we agreed on. Until the client kept demanding for me to work on their project which I've declined till they paid me amount I've asked (which is half upfront and the other for when the project was completed) for which eventually the client did cover the first half of the payment. During the process the client demanding as they kept asking for constant changes to the project which wasn't the part that made this person a bad client in my view. But the client requesting changes to where there's no end result. Also, I've placed an hold on the client's project in order to work on a different project for a bit before going back to this one since I've had another commission to work on at the time before resuming the animation project. During the process he kept asking for animators including from me which I've gave him the name of another artist who was my business and romantic partner so that the client could chat with him. Everything was fine until I've noticed that the client was using my partner to replace me for a project the person already paid for and I was already in the process of working on (without consulting with me first). Then things went downhill when the project was completed and all of a sudden the client couldn't afford it, so I had to cancel the project. Before the fall out, this person was using their personal issues to gain sympathy from others. This client is still seeking artists to commission while advertising their condition and not having the funding to pay artists! Beginning of commission: Changes: Asking to work on comm 3 days later: Looking for other animators: Request for donations in DMs: Unable to send final payment. Proof of first payment:

MOD NOTE: This beware started off just directed at Bae Bunny, but after Bae Bunny commented their piece in the replies, with additional proof that was left out, it was updated to include the original poster, Shizimiru Okame/Comico. I will include bae Bunny's comment and proof UNDER the original post. Originally posted on May. 2nd, 2013 by Shizimiru Okame Mod Note 2: OPs FA links with their references are defunct. TLDR: Bae bunny of fa made mistakes on a 100 dollar commission for 5 icons, 20 a piece. Makes many mistakes after agreeing to edits, then refuses the edits after a while demanding 75 usd, or they will dispute the transaction. WHO: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/baebunny WHERE: Furaffinity.net WHAT: 5 icons for 100.00 usd, Made mistakes and refuses to continue editing unless they receive an addtional 75.00usd WHEN: A few months ago to current day. commission dissussions: (they got the 5 customs) Artist agrees to make edits: Bae claims before argument that they are raising prices here on out: Bae claims to dispute the payment unless paied: My responce after being told I would have to pay more or be disputed: My self expaining some edits that are needed to be done: My refernaces: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10133553 (WARNING MAY BE NSFW) http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10241628 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10241557 as you can see these references are very detailed so the mistakes are on the Bae's not mine. One of the icons where the frames are botched: in this icon you see the horn is messed up, and they refused to fix this icon as well as the other 3. this is the only icon done correctly but edits still needed to be made at first, http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10491255/ you can see here that he requires the reffernaces so he can evuate his prices: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8786918/ Explain: He's done this work a lot they should have known better then to take this commission for that price. Bae knew the difficulty of this project and still took it on, why should I have to pay 75.00 usd for something they messed up? This sounds kinda fishy and scam like to get more money out me. Take for example you have a mechanic fix your car, and they mess up, would you pay them more to fix it? this could have been avoided if the user had a tos stating that after a certain amount of edits the commissioner would then pay edit fee's, this user does not have a TOS that I can find. There are more notes that aren't shown due to the fact it's the same argument over and over, I paid you for this, why won't you finish your job? Icons they are very personable to the people getting them, and at 20 apiece you expect them to be very well done. after being on a waiting list for months, they are contacted a few weeks ago and they paid for the work and now this... The artist has not replied in about 24 hours, but has read the notes sent by the user. What do? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bae Bunny's reply, posted on May. 12th, 2013 (This was posted on an account linked to the now defunct Google Plus.) Aaaaaaaand in this corner, BAE BUNNY! :V This is weird on my part because I never thought that I was going to be involved here! Had to create a brand new account even. If this isn't how you deal with an issue, sorry! Its my first time ; o ; Be gentle~ Thanks guys for bringing this to my attention and to anyone that has been on my side. I do think its important to hear both sides of the story, so here I am! Words from the horse's mouth :U So here's the scoop: STEP 1: "I -totally- should have handled myself better" I was probably out of line asking for $75 to make edits, and I shouldn't have been so strict, but take a look at my list of notes from her: This isn't just garble, this is a back and forth of edits upon edits upon edits with her. I really couldn't take it anymore! With the way things were going I could have animated for her indefinitely if she wanted. It was apparent after a while that nothing was going to be perfect and I wasn't going to be able to move on, so I abruptly quit. For the issue on not having a TOS, I actually haven't had a negative issue like this up until now! Everyone I've made stuff for was happy as far as I knew, so I never needed one :I This felt like an issue going, "No TOS? Mmm...exploit!" Since after all of this I've been constructing one, but as a result, icons are going to be more related to "Time Invested" rather than per icon, which brings me to... STEP 2: "Bae Gives into the Demands!" I didn't want to spend unpaid time to continue to animate, but I was threatened on getting an AB Page otherwise, as her note shows above. So before I went to bed, I got this note: So "fix the icons and I won't post an AB page," eh? What else could I do! I caved in and did the edits for free that following morning at 11AM, as shown here: I include a highlight of the things that needed to be edited so it was apparent I knew what had to be fixed. She responds later saying this: Then posts them to her account as shown here: So with me being finished animating and her posting the icons, I would have assumed I met my end of the bargain and wouldn't get the AB page! :V ... STEP 3: "I got a bad feeling about this~" I know she says she was waiting for these icons for months, but she only contacted me on April 16th asking if she could pay now for the icons, even though her spot wasn't up on my que yet. I never charge ahead of time, but she was being persistent: She kept wanting me to give a discount for a bundle deal and wasn't getting the hint, so I sent this note: I want to point out that I warned her I work on customs and charge for the time spent, rather than a flat rate per icon. The more complicated/longer they take to animated, I charge more, ranging from $15 - $30. So when someone sends me $20 for each icon and then has a laundry list of big icons as shown in her notes above...I -really- felt like I was getting ripped off . ~ . So I responded with some suggestions on changes, and I get this back: Just pointing out that she says "do what ya think is right here, i trust you x3" and she was going to pay me $10+ for the more complicated one. If I had known in the end how difficult she was to work with, I wouldn't have taken her request. In the end, she got her finished icons with the edits for free! TL;DR ~In a conclusion~ 1. I shouldn't have freaked out 2. I've created a TOS for the future and raised the prices of my icons to accommodate for time spent on each icon rather than a flat rate 3. I made the edits for her and she said "thanks" and posted them to FA 4. I was threatened, gave into demands, and was STILL posted on Artist Beware anyway! 5. Comico was Suspended from FurAffinity for harrasment, so I feel like she is doing this because she's still mad 6. Issue was resolved May 2nd @ 2:34PM Thanks for reading my side anyway u 3 u ~ Make your own opinions for yourself; this is just how I saw things from my perspective. Just let me know if you need to know anything else! ~Bae

https://artists-beware.livejournal.com/939896.html Who: Vani / VanillaKitsune / @ashketchumsays / stripesandteeth Where: Twitter When: Commissioned them June 15th, 2016 I commissioned Vani on their Twitter back in June when they were taking a lot of sketch commissions there. I bought two sketches and received initial passes pretty quickly, but since then it’s been very difficult to get in contact with them much less get an update. Break down of events and screen caps below cut. All screen caps are in the Dropbox folder below, and are numbered to be chronological, except for the proof of payment which is the first document. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gnsxt1by8i2dmvk/AAAON_cgjDhnjltT0I8dFCHma?dl=0 June: -6/15/16: I DMed Vani on Twitter like their post said to do, and gave them references and paid promptly. I paid for two 11x14 sketch with shipping, but was later asked to pay for shipping again. -6/26/16: I received preliminary sketches that were very rough and I approved them. I was excited to see progress so soon and was told they’d be finished promptly. -6/29/16: A few days later I received a long DM from Vani saying that they would be attending AX and couldn’t finish the sketches before then. As an artist that sells at cons, I understood and told them not to worry. Afterwards I didn’t hear anything until August. August: -8/14/16: I DMed Vani to check in and ask how the sketches were going and again received a long DM, explaining that things were rough but on an upswing. I trusted they’d work on commissions when they were able and left them to it until November when I saw they were going to MFF. November: -11/28/16: I DMed Vani again after I saw they were going to MFF and tabling there as well. I asked if I could pick up my sketches at the con and they said they would have them ready for me. I ended up not being able to get away from my table the entire weekend and messaged them when I got home. December: -12/5/16: I DMed Vani again apologizing that I couldn’t get to their table to pick up my sketches. At this point, I have not seen the finished sketches and have no reason to believe that the sketches have actually been completed and would have even been available for pickup. Vani tells me they can mail my sketches, and asked me to send $6. I promptly paid, completely forgetting that I had already paid for shipping initially. -12/30/16: Vani posts a 10 page google document explaining their year and the struggles they’ve been through. I read the whole thing, and only gathered that they were stressed from taking too many commissions in between moving a lot and having financial struggles. They clearly state that they can’t deal with the stress of being contacted by customers, which admittedly upset me. January: -1/7/17: At this point unaware of their post, I DM Vani one last time asking if they had mailed the sketches. I didn’t receive a response, so I publicly tweeted at them. -1/11/17: I tweeted asking if they had shipped the sketches, received a reply from a random third party directing me to the 10 page manifesto. After reading the whole thing I e-mailed Vani like they requested and tried to pick up where we left off on Twitter. -1/25/17: No response to my e-mail, so I send another asking if they had received it. At this point I am not expecting a reply. Speaking as an artist, I have been through similar situations that Vani has gone through. I’ve been in very tight spots financially and been forced to move and scramble to find housing. I honestly don’t mind waiting for artwork so long as the artist is able to clearly communicate delays and issues just as I would with my customers. Vani very clearly can’t handle custom work but continues to take more and put themselves into this situation. They are now putting the blame of their anxieties and shortcomings on their customers who are simply asking when they can expect their artwork. I’m incredibly disappointed and honestly even if I were to receive a refund or the finished artwork I couldn’t in good conscience recommend anyone work with Vani.