Personally, I don't take a deposit at all for just this reason. I won't even accept payment unless someone really insists upon it until I've finished a rough sketch (and had the client "sign off" on it) and am actively working on the piece.
I'd be horrified if I took someone's money and then they got lost in the shuffle or I couldn't get them something for their money within a few weeks at most.
I don't know how fast Jomaro works, or how many pieces he works on at the same time, but it's clearly not working out.
Well it swings both ways. With how tough the economy is, it's still a gamble for an artist to take a commission without upfront money. As someone who's worked in lending, experience and sense dictates that if/when a person has to chose between paying their bills and feeding their family, the family's going to come first. Really, it's up to the artist and the customer to hammer out those details, preferably before any work and money is negotiated. In the end, communication is key. Now the issue with MMOArt is that there is no communication and as such, avenues like the BBB and Paypal are the only option left, unfortunately.
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Oh and don't forget Invincebelle too and her the strategericly torn costume.