Honestly, if you are going to commission somebody, you shouldn't take so long to pay followed by a complete cancellation. When a date is given, the artist often budgets for it and this can really mess up an artist's budget. I had something budgeted for the payment you promised earlier this month, and I ended up losing out on it because I never got paid. Please only accept a commission if you can pay right away, because being left in limbo for so long is not only frustrating, but also hurts the artists you promised a commission to.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. And another thing along with the budget thing is, that you NEVER know if the person has an emergency on their side. (For me I need rent money) And saying that you promise someone means that they are putting their trust into you. And by you putting them in hold, to make them wait long, and to up and cancel them is like taking their trust, throwing it on the ground, and taking a dump on it. And you know what happens after you do that? You get an artist beware made against you. And then NOBODY will give you a commission, adopt, trade, of any sort. And that just won't look good. Us as artists spend TIME on adoptables, or commissions.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8880738/