Luckily for me, neither has been a problem, though, again, it's probably because my commissions are pretty much just people from these boards who are well-known, and I don't do anywhere near the amount that Jomaro (or even Juggertha) do.
Regardless, this is not a good situation to be in for anyone.
I've been lucky with getting really nice customers, too. One person I'm working with right now is just going to spoil me rotten because he deposited more than I required and then paid in full before I require it, too. He really REALLY liked the pencils ^.^
I welcome all my clients depositing more than the original quote!
It's sad to see MMOArt.com in the state they are in with angry customers because I was very pleased with them whenever I was their customer. It took less than 3 months for the drawing of Black Mute and they even gave me a free color upgrade on a $50 pencil I ordered. Also, I didn't receive the print in about 2 weeks after they mailed it, so they sent me another one at no charge. Later first print was just slowed in the mail somehow so I got two!
I hope that this isn't the end of them, but it looks like it.
I have been waiting since 8/30/2006 for my piece, I'm currently sitting at number 11 on the queue list.
I'm furious.
After the offer of a refund, I sent an email with questions which went unanswered.
I was sent a rough sketch of my artwork on 4/2/2007 and was impressed enough to wait.
Some communication, any communication about how long I have to continue to wait or getting a refund would be nice.
I really wanted this piece. It was my first foray into a commissioned art piece, I'm not going to bother with it in the future.
I've been waiting since 9/07 and I never did get my print for my first MMOart piece (Frankie Carter). I've written the deposit and the print off and don't expect to see anything. Still, while much more cautious I haven't given up on owning some really nice art of characters I've spent a lot of time creating.
I have had some absolutely incredible experiences with other artists on these boards and on Deviant Art. Juggy and Brandon McKinney are incredible. They've not only worked hard to give me exceptional pieces; they're both are professional and make me feel as though my character and my time are damn important.
Because of them, I'm considering stepping out of my comfort zone and commissioning some of the other fine artists who post their work on these boards. Don't let this one bad (albeit really bad) experience completely turn you off to the possibility of owning some art.
I've been badly burned by every commission I've wanted, except by my girlfriend. Friends and professionals alike. In fact, I still have a commission order from two years ago that I still e-mail about monthly but am seriously considering giving up on.
Jomaro is little more than just another notch on the wall, another artist in the wide-open sea of talent.
Talent is wonderful, but commitment is better. The smallest deed far outweighs the greatest intention.
even at the height of my "micro" making I never accepted money even when it was offered and this is exactly why. I know that I'm subject to fits of what I call "the terminal [censored] - its". Meaning I just can't summon the motivation to do anything.
I'd feel like hell if somone paid me to do something and I couldn't follow through.
What really sucks is that I have an outstanding commission with them and have tried all means that I know of to reach them and ask for a refund.
Since I've received no reply to any of my requests, I went to file a dispute with PayPal over this issue.
Turns out that they won't do anything for you if you made a payment over 20 days ago which I certainly did. (April 15, 2008, I believe)
I wonder how many others are going to get stiffed for making deposits and not getting anything for it? I'm not happy one bit and while the amount of money is not that much it's the principle. I entered into a contract with someone to provide me a commissioned piece of artwork. They requested 50% deposit up front which I provided and now I have nothing to show for it and don't think I ever will.
Some people here have said they have been waiting upwards of three years for their artwork which is really a shame and sounds more like a scam to me than anything else.
This experience has totally put me off ever working with MMO Art in the future even if the current problems get sorted out and there's a valid explanation for their lack of communication all these months.
I wanna make it clear that i am not angry. Not anymore. I have just written it off as far as my commissions from MMOart and the other artists i have mentioned. Also i don't view my buying pieces of art for my characters overall as a bad experience.
I mean 15 out of 190 isn't bad at all 
I just mean that now with limited funds it's not worth the risk to do further commissions right now. I totally support the art community here and on DA and i try to do that in other ways.
I am just concerned for Jo and family now is all.
I typed "Jomaro Kindred" into Google and the first link is his MySpace page. According to that, he logged in on 6-15-2008, so he's not dead in a ditch somewhere.
Maybe he doesn't know people have been trying to contact him because of a technical glitch somewhere. Or maybe he *is* dead in a ditch and someone has stolen his identity!
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
Or a third option, he's avoiding everyone for whatever reason.
What? SOMEONE had to play Devil's Advocate.
That certainly could be the case too! Maybe he knows that there's all the upset people out there so he's in hiding til he can figure out what to do about it. Either come up with the refunds or do the art.
Who knows!
[ QUOTE ]
Since I've received no reply to any of my requests, I went to file a dispute with PayPal over this issue.
Turns out that they won't do anything for you if you made a payment over 20 days ago which I certainly did. (April 15, 2008, I believe)
[/ QUOTE ]
It's 45 days from date of payment sent to file a dispute before you can no longer do so. That was something I was researching as communication options when email didn't work. I know it doesn't help you 
but knowing that information may help someone else. I honestly don't know at this point.
Huron: "...with Coffee primary / Attitude secondary"
Charnage: "Please. Think of the poor defenseless desks."
"The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace. It failed... In the year of the Praetorian War, it became something greater... our last, best hope for victory."
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Since I've received no reply to any of my requests, I went to file a dispute with PayPal over this issue.
Turns out that they won't do anything for you if you made a payment over 20 days ago which I certainly did. (April 15, 2008, I believe)
[/ QUOTE ]
It's 45 days from date of payment sent to file a dispute before you can no longer do so. That was something I was researching as communication options when email didn't work. I know it doesn't help you but knowing that information may help someone else. I honestly don't know at this point.
[/ QUOTE ]
Are you sure about that because when I filed my dispute they closed the case automatically citing my payment was beyond 20 days.
Either way I'm screwed unless I get a hold of them. 
You know once is an accident or mistake but this has been going on for over 3 years. Seriously, no one should order from MMOART anymore. If you are worried about their well being you shouldnt be because this isnt the first time this has happened.
Just because its a "home business" does not mean they shouldnt be treated just like any other business. They are a bad business and should refund everyone.
When I filed at the end of May, it was 45 days and I had sent payment towards the end of April.
I just searched Paypal's help page for "how to file a dispute" and this is the text on the page:
How do I dispute a payment?
Question :
Answer :
A The best way to resolve a problem transaction is to communicate directly with your seller. Most sellers welcome the opportunity to work out problems and provide good customer service.
If you and your seller are unable to work out an issue, you can go to PayPal's Resolution Center to open a dispute within 45 days of payment. If you're still unable to resolve the problem, you can escalate the dispute to a claim. A dispute can be escalated to a claim any time within 20 days of the date the dispute was opened. By escalating to a claim, you are asking PayPal to review the case and decide the outcome.
I don't know why they would tell you 20 days in the canned response unless it was for the claim portion. You have to file a dispute then escalate it to a claim if there's no response in that window.
Huron: "...with Coffee primary / Attitude secondary"
Charnage: "Please. Think of the poor defenseless desks."
"The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace. It failed... In the year of the Praetorian War, it became something greater... our last, best hope for victory."
[ QUOTE ]
When I filed at the end of May, it was 45 days and I had sent payment towards the end of April.
I just searched Paypal's help page for "how to file a dispute" and this is the text on the page:
How do I dispute a payment?
Question :
Answer :
A The best way to resolve a problem transaction is to communicate directly with your seller. Most sellers welcome the opportunity to work out problems and provide good customer service.
If you and your seller are unable to work out an issue, you can go to PayPal's Resolution Center to open a dispute within 45 days of payment. If you're still unable to resolve the problem, you can escalate the dispute to a claim. A dispute can be escalated to a claim any time within 20 days of the date the dispute was opened. By escalating to a claim, you are asking PayPal to review the case and decide the outcome.
I don't know why they would tell you 20 days in the canned response unless it was for the claim portion. You have to file a dispute then escalate it to a claim if there's no response in that window.
[/ QUOTE ]
That's what I did; I filed a claim and the immediate response was to close the case and say I was beyond the 20 day period which I found weird.
When I tried to refile the claim it said that this case was closed and wouldn't let me.
Just wondering how many folks asked for a refund when Gill made the offer eariler this year, or did everyone just decide to wait it out?
When the offer for a refund was made. I sent and email asking (a) if the offer for refunds were to be vaild on gift certificates, (b) How far along he had come past the rough sketch I received, (c) If I did decide to wait it out, where I was in the queue (d) how long it was estimated to take to receive my art.
I received no reply to my email.
Man, I feel bad for you guys. I can't imagine how annoying it'd be to lose that kind of money with no recourse. 
Losing the money--really bad.
Losing the money and the potentially awsome art -- just plain unforgivable.
It's more than a business around here, because a lot of the clients also considered themselves friends--their mistake I guess. I don't see how the MMO crew can salvage this. They've burned clients, which is bad, but even worse, they've burnt friends and that's the worst of all.
[ QUOTE ]
Just wondering how many folks asked for a refund when Gill made the offer eariler this year, or did everyone just decide to wait it out?
[/ QUOTE ]
I said I'd wait it out.. but so much has changed for me persoanlly since the last time we talked... but like TA I'm not angry.. I'd like some sort of Art or a refund at some point..
LvL 50's Inv/Em Tank, Katana/Regen Scrapper, Merc/Traps MM, Ninja/Dark MM, Crab
@Torell Guardian, Liberty & Freedom
Well I would like to invite anyone who's been waiting to submit a screenshot or two at my Sketch a Day thread and I'll put you on the queue.
Well to be fair, about 95% of my commissions have gone super smooth, very quick turnaround, and if they weren't there was almost always good communication as to why, or status, etc. I've only been burned by very very few (less than I can count on one hand!), so overall it's always been a positive experience.
Though, also keep in mind the artist, and I'm sure they probably get lots more commissioners who never ever pay up, so they did all this work and got nothing for their time. It goes both ways!