SO i have this commissioner. this person commissioned me nearly two years ago, and never paid me. she also commissioned a bunch of other resident artists and never paid them either, then tried to USE the art she never paid for.

i asked and asked and asked for my money. i found her later on another site, where she was STILL commissioning people and not paying them. i continuously posted publicly about her horrible marketing habits and continuously requested that she pay all the other artists she owed, but i was ignored.

two days ago, i receive a message from her via DA that she'll be paying me back with a little extra in two weeks. promises promises. i said in response to her: "Oh yeah you basically stole from me. It's a little late, huh?" i had -completely- forgotten about her commission, and i felt that it was better that way. she then responded, essentially telling ME that my behavior and "rudeness" was inappropriate and that she didn't even have to message me or pay me.

that really pissed me off because i think after two years of no payment or even EXCUSES as to why i, and all those other artists, never received payment kind of gives me the right to be angry. what i don't understand is how she never anticipated my sour attitude. you do not come to me after giving me the run around and tell ME i'm acting out of line. i was really angry too because she made it sound like i NEEDED her dirty money and she is trying to hang it over my head somehow.

not once did i ever receive an apology. not once did i ever receive a reason. not once did i ever even receive a response to my questions or requests.

i think ALL the artists, myself included, deserve a genuine apology.


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TL;DR - payment upfront. NEVER begin or complete a commission without payment first.