I would double check the artist's own TOS to see if they have covered the issue on discounts and refunds. If they haven't ask them if they have a queue. Some times the commissions you see popping up are either from long past in their rather long list or simple commission that they can pump out in a faster fashion... such as those on a premade base or with less demanding details. Like perhaps sketches or chibi versus references or full body images with more details. If anything it's more then likely the artist is not very organized or is forgetful. But for them to outright ignore or not reply to your messages is kinda rude..... BUT THEN....

It could be the case they don't check their notes or whatever form of writing you are doing. I've heard of artists who only check their emails so reroute everyone to that so that it could be read faster. Or vice versa.

I'd also double check their journals to see if maybe they posted about delays or RL stress or problems as that could potentially slow everything down to even a halt. Such as health reasons, family, or moving as an example. For some a new school year can really put you in a slow drive so that only quick and easy art is the only ones you could produce until they have the time to work on some of the bigger stuff. But again that is only if they have everything organized...

Discounts are something really only the artist can choose to give as a consolidation... an apology... or whatever. A customer really can't be "justified" for a discount no matter how much it really is deserved. The best you can hope for is really a refund. If they worked on any of it and can prove they have then you might not get a full refund, sadly. Otherwise a full refund is what should be provided. And a year really is a long time to wait for something. D:

(( Lastly make sure they didn't loose your commission form/information. That happens at times and they might not be replying cus they're embarrassed for loosing it. lol. ))



That is all of my best guesses. I love to think better of people no matter the situation. >A<

No matter what the commission is, if someone does 50 commissions in the span of a year, while ignoring a commission someone has PAID for already that's a year late, they really shouldn't be taking all those commissions and ignoring the person who paid forever ago. It really comes off as stealing?
Whether it be 25, 50, 200 dollars, someone has paid for a service, and if others who buy the same exact sort of commission get their commission a week/month later, and you're sitting here like, 'I've sent reminder after reminder, and get no reply back', how are you supposed to react? It's gunna come off as shady.

The artists I speak of are often really popular, so when they open up commissions, everyone is hopping over everyone to get a commission off them.

If their reason is work/family/school, then they should close commissions, or not take money till they start the commission, or take half now and half later.
It really comes off as unprofessional, and ruins ones rep. And to some degree, they deserve it, especially if it's a frequent occurrence. Embarrassed or not, they have someone reminding them repeatedly that a commission has been due for a year.

~Oh no, I'm shy~ is not a good excuse. They have someones money. This is a business transaction, and my apology for sounding brash, but being /childish/ is /not/ an excuse.

Very true... they do have someone's money and they do need to cough up the goods. It is very unprofessional to continue to do a shat ton of commissions while not doing ones from a year or longer back and then not replying to them. It is VERY shady. If I don't know the person personally I would be furious rightly so having waited a year for something while they seem to be ignoring me completely.

Don't get my first comment wrong. It might be seemingly defending that person that isn't really the case. I've seen people through a shit fit having to wait a week for something while at the same time spamming the artist. It's just a lot of people don't like to think artists have a life outside of just art. It's more for a.. sit back and look at everything before you think the worst of a situation without all the info. ( which is really more for those who can't wait a week for results on something. Not the wait a year thing. )

And I agree... if something comes up such as an emergency I wont do any commissions as I'll be dealing with that crap. Unless I am in dire need of cash at the same time as well. But then I would let everyone know it might take a while to get whatever done. Them not even communicating with those who hand them money is just wrong and very unprofessional.

But as I said I do like to think the best of everyone so I would like to think they are making an effort to work on my commission or whatever... but as you stated waiting a year with not even a reply is UBER shady. At this point I wouldn't know how to get my money back but I would know for sure I wouldn't be doing business with them again. D: But that is just what my views are on the situation.

Oh yeah, if someone is flipping out over having to wait a week, they need to relax. Personally I'd give someone a month? Then be like hey, it's been a while, hope you didn't forget me. By around the....2? 3? Month mark, I would probably start getting snippy.
Artists have lives, they get sick, their family has issues, school gets in the way, computer breaks- theres tons of reasons and people simply assume artists can whip out art like its no big deal. Art is hard, man. It can't just POOF, be done.

And yeah, if I needed cash ASAP, I'd take enough commissions to get me through, then close them till I was done with all the commissions I owe.

I just find it awful when really popular artists do this a lot, and get away with it because the love to hate ratio in their watchers is always off balanced 99 to 1. So the minority can complain, but they'll never be heard.

Yeah.... the off balance thing is just crazy... Blind fans are another thing that is annoying. The artist or person could be HORRIBLE or do something bad and the blind fans will ignore it completely... but then do a double standard if someone they are not a fan of does the exact same thing. It's one thing not to know... and another to completely ignore it. /sigh But that will always exist.....

Yeah, I've seen artists who are outright completely rude, some who have even INSULTED THEIR FOLLOWERS in general, and their followers still worship them. 6n9

OMG YOU ARE SO HELPFUL I was going to post a journal about this sdfoilhserser ;w;
Okay so ive waited 2 years or more for commissions and I believe if you have to wait that long you should get a discount, HOWEVER
on the other end of the spectrum, if the artist says "hey i'm going to take a loooong ass time, commission at your own risk" or something, I
guess I understand that, too.

CAN I GET YOUR OPINION?
Okay so the person im trying to get my $15 commission from has blocked receiving notes...
Ive been waiting for 4 months, and the said they could make a design for me, and while im waiting
MASSIVE amounts of draw to adopts and their own characters have been done, and they say two weeks ago
that they'd prefer to draw one of my characters, so I gave them the ref and they have had art block, i understand that...
but here they are making draw to adopts and new designs for their own again. I /understand/ art block. I understand being all
busy and stuff but when I give you money and you promise to do something, at least update me.
I messaged them today on Flight Rising to ask if they wanted another new ref instead of Laredo's, or if they have a stray design they want to give me instead?
Or if they just want to give me my money back but they dont have a paypal so idk how that would work.
IM JUST REALLY BUMMED OKAY.
My question is; am I wrong for thinking like this? ;___; Like. Hurt they wont communicate or update me or keep their word? And that they put out all this art yet cant even sketch for me while saying they have artblock and continue to draw random things?
I'd TAKE one of those, I love the designs lsdfihlser I just. I feel so bad i'm upset but...does it make sense? ;___;
I feel like a dick.

They also just told me (bout ten min ago) they're going to look through all of their unused designs and send me them to pick one sodihfesr but i'm sad because what if I dont like them? ;___; Idk what i'll do then. /facepalm
BUT. They're a nice person, but stuff like this isn't cool. :c

Yeah, cause idk, it's the contract thing again. I'l draw if you pay, but beware, it'll take a long time. It's agreed upon, HOWEVER, if the person is tired of waiting, they should get a full refund.

HMM.... Well, they're keeping conversation with you. If you don't want what they give you, you might just ask to ask for your money back :c;
You agreed upon something, they couldn't do it, you agreed upon something else, they couldn't do it. You asked for a service, they're not providing.