That really sucks. Especially since it's someone that you've known for a while. 
/e hug
ick, sorry to hear wassy. that does suck, especially not to hear from them and they have been around. Whether you change your payment rules and what not is up to you. This is so far just been one incident, right, hopefully its just the exception not the rule. I'd keep on doing what yer doing for the most part your being paid ok by most of your customers, either that or have varying rules, like maybe upfront for minis and sale commission and maybe possibly half up front for standard ones?
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I do a half and half thing for standard ones. I figure that's the fairest for both me and the buyer. The minis are just so cheap that I collect payment after. And I generally would not ship until I receive payment, but this was someone I knew, which is the real sucky part of the situation. You try to be nice to a "friend" and they burn ya =P
aww, *hugs*, sorry to hear that I hope that maybe you'll be able to patch things up with them, I wouldn't want you to lose a friend.
I've always loved your work, and I hope you keep it up and with little troubles.
When people can't pay they tend to clam up and be quiet, to ignore the problem. Your SG mate could be doing the same thing, and just not know how to say "I can't pay". To be honest, two weeks isn't really that long of a time.
You can be upset about it (obviously) but if you know this person let things cool off and talk to him again in a month. You might get an answer and an apology. Shame and embarrassment make people do odd things.
As for your business side, if these mini are so inexpensive then it shouldn't hurt to ask for the cash up front or at the very least after you've done a sketch. That way the client has the promise of the artwork and you have the cash.
Its 3 weeks past now. Longer than that if you consider sign-up time or even from when I gave notice that his piece was going into production.
But, I know what you're saying. I just needed a little venting. I've been trying several different avenues to talk to the person, and I really don't mind if he really can't pay. Its not the money... its being ignored. I mean, I give free art to SG members on a monthly basis and its not a huge amount of money.
Yeah, I see what you're saying. It's one of these "it's not what you did, but how you did it" situations. Had one of those happen with some friends of mine recently, so I hope it works out in the end somehow.
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
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It sucks, but the reason that friends tend to be the source of this kind of problem is that strangers don't usually get their foot in the door far enough to get the opportunity.
Simple way to handle it - Send him a message to the effect that "Friends come to each other when they have a problem and work out how to solve them. I thought that we were friends."
He may come around and open a dialogue despite being ashamed of his financial straits, or you may find out that he thinks of you strictly as a bunch of pixels on the screen that speaks to him occasionally and isn't actually your friend at all. *shrug*
Wassy, I understand your frustration... as a semi active freelancer, I've been privy to some of my pals who have been burned for a lot of cash. I know it's gotta hurt and all that jazz, but I don't know anyone in the biz who hasn't been burned by someone who commissions artwork or a full fledged assignment.
It's happened to me too, man. Not going into details and didn't air out my dirty laundry complaining to the general community, I just got a friendly bit of advice about it for next time! But here is some from a fellow artist/freelancer...
Ask for 1/2 up front, 1/2 upon completion. That way, at least you've made some money off the project. Just my two cents and never back down on that part of the deal!
back to my drawing table... Jim
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Yeah, its not like I didn't really expect it to happen at some point, its just the cold shoulder and all from a non-stranger.
As mentioned in the first post, I just needed some venting because I had just tried yet again to get ahold of a person who I KNOW is around (not here, but elsewhere) but won't respond to just wanting to know what's up.
EDIT: Just one of those crappy sort of days that didn't start out very well. Getting back to the actual ARTWORK part of things is calming me back down. Thanks to everyone who listened/gave advice ^.^
heh, tell me about it...lets see here....it's November now...
I posted in here a long time ago...think it was in February about being ripped off by people at Siguerdo Studios, I ordered a calender from them...a really nice one, cost me around $40.
I come to find out several months later that the previous person in charge ended up going back home to China some time after they got my payment and the new person in charge just came upon my emails.
I should of asked for my money back when it was offered...but I guess I can be too forgiving...but ultimately...I got my calender...though it was about 3/4 of the year late...but I wubs it anyways 
I usually get burned about once a year.
Yikes, I'm overdue for this year's!!
8O
[ QUOTE ]
I usually get burned about once a year.
Yikes, I'm overdue for this year's!!
8O
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How about spinning that burn into a donation and make me something for free? 
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I feel ya. It was only a trade for me, greenbacks would really suck. I hate the whole ignore thing too.
*is still pissed about a prepaid coloring job that's disappeared into the ether, even tho' the artist is well-regarded on DA*
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Unfortunately it's a reality of the trade and can work both ways, as many have found out.
I really like the suggestion made by SlickRiptide. Otherwise call it a wash, and don't be afraid to ask for everything up front from now on. Really, this is part of your lively hood.
I've found its easier to get burned when setting up for a split payment, but to me, anything under (wait we can't put numbers um....) 'the general cost of a simple one-character transaction' is an all-upfront deal.
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I hear that Wassy and i am so sorry it happened to you too. My suggestion would be to take it all up front as well.
[ QUOTE ]
*is still pissed about a prepaid coloring job that's disappeared into the ether, even tho' the artist is well-regarded on DA*
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Don't even get me started bro....15 artists on DA and over 2 years, some over 3 years.... 
@Liz!
sketches on tumblr | finished pieces and resources on dA
Currently most active:
Shining Finger: 40 Elec/Titan][Summer's Son: 38 Fire/Fire/Pyre
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Friendly, helpful and surprisingly light on the drama.
Save our game Master post.
Sorry, but I have to vent somewhere, and I know there are people around here who can feel my frustration.
I've been doing commissions here and there for a few years, with the last 6 months ramping up because I could finally devote serious time to my artwork and making it for others. All this time, I hadn't been burned once. I'm really flexible and will always work with people if some sort of money-related problem comes up. I REALLY understand that sort of thing, because its happened to me many times.
But it finally happened. I got ripped off! I guess the good thing is that its a small amount from the mini sale (still don't want to talk money around here)... but the (more or less) being stolen from ticks me off. The worst thing? ITS SOMEONE FROM THE SG I'M IN! This is someone I've been friendly with for coming up on 4 years.
I gave this person the benefit of the doubt because I did know him and sent out his mini when he said he would need to pay me in a week. No big deal, I figured. STUPID. After 2 weeks went by I sent a reminder. No reply. I sent a PM on our SG boards in case the email was messed up. Nothing... but he's posted on the boards. Its been 3 weeks now. If he was having real trouble and still couldn't pay, I honestly would be fine with that. I'd even forgive the debt. But not even speaking to me about it? That's low.
I don't want this to ruin my long-standing flexibility for everyone else, because all my other commissioners were super super awesome as far as payment... but now I can't help but be a bit more distrusting. Its that much worse because its someone I previously knew..... Bah, I had to come across the downside eventually I guess >.<