So a lot of stuff is going around as usual as people are blaming PayPal for refunds and artists having their accounts stopped etc

Here is a simple guide to using PayPal for both parties.

Artist;
-Don't get your commissioner's to just send you money! Create the invoice and invoice them, you are a professional, act like it!
-You are not sending a final product via the post? Then it is a service and not "goods". "Goods" are for physical objects!
-Don't take money if you know you can't give the commissioner what they want in a timely manner!
(this happens way to much in this community and it is horrid. If you are in such need of money that you are happy to take 100s of commissions each month but can only realistically do 20 then you need to reconsider what you are doing in life. If you live on the edge of being broke then the full time being an artist is NOT for you yet as you can't support yourself. Don't rely on people to just give you money and then forget about their commission 2 months later. That is criminal!)
-Have a terms of agreement with your commissioner.
-Need a new upgrade for your PC. touch interface? Then buy one out of your reserve and then fill that reserve right back up or crowdfund it.
-Manage your money. Every 2 weeks open your accounting software and enter in what you spend and what you take in. Great way to see how much you make and it is free > https://www.waveapps.com/
-Don't be a dick. Seriously! Too many people take the piss like they own the place. You are just selling a service. If you scam people or treat them like shit then piss off. No one wants that here...

Commissioner;
-Too good to be true? Use your head...
-Is this artist good a bad rep? Probably don't want to commission them then!
(Way to many people commission artist who again and again prove that they are incompetent. Look at their shouts and that should give you a good indication to if they are taking commissions and not doing them. That and Artist Beware)
-Set out an agreement with the artist so that you don't get stung.
(Have it in writing somewhere authentication like eMail, or even better in the PayPal invoice! Set down that the artist will complete your work within a set time like 30-45 days. If they don't they are to refund you/refund if not then completed within 7 days. There is a refund rule on PayPal. Don't wait till the day before to bring it up that you have not got the arts yet!)
-Just use common sense!



PayPal is a great tool for exchanging money for services and goods. But you can't think that it will favour you because you bought something or sold something.
Read the rules and abide by them
Don't be a dick and don't be a fool. People will take your money and run. So research them. Keep in contact with them and agree when work will be done so you have leverage if it comes to it.
Be professional, act professional...