So, maybe I'm being a bit too much of an asshole, but I see some artists in this community as being very consumer unfriendly. Here's some of my opinions on how any purchasing process should go:


1) Know your own rates. If you want to ask someone what they're willing to pay for something, and then come back with a minimum after the fact, that's poor service.

2) Accept all forms of communication (within reason). I see some people refusing to do business with someone if they use FA's built-in communication. Fuck you, I'm paying you, you want my money- talk to me where I want to talk. This doesn't extend as far as talking on the phone or something, but if FA's PM system is best for me- don't make me go to another site, or require I use e-mail. You're wanting MY business, not the other way around.

3) Provide updates. This is a BIG one. Some artists are quick at what they do, you'll have a completed piece within hours in some cases. This is a blessing and a curse. If the first communication I have from you after commissioning a piece, is a completed piece- and something needs drastically changed, I feel like an asshole even though you may be the one at fault. Especially for someone like me who deals with social anxiety- I have a hard time saying "No, go fix this." Consumers should not have to request updates on pieces. Even if your update is "you're still 2 behind previous customers, I'm working hard to get to your piece"- let us know! Maybe have your own customer update cycle and let them know- "you'll receive an update once a week."

4) This whole "you're blacklisted if you hide your bid or are unable to pay" thing needs to end. Does it suck when that happens? Sure. But you know what? Life sucks. You don't see places like Lowe's banning you for bringing items to the counter and realizing you can't afford them. A majority of artists I follow on here pretty consistently post journals about some emergency or another, requesting emergency funds and stuff- but you can't be bothered to be compassionate when your customer, who obviously likes your work, has the same? Fuck you. If I see this going on from now on, I'm going to unfollow. It's unreasonable.

5) Know what jobs you're currently working on and ones you're taking on. Again, mistakes happen, but why should I have to remind you if something isn't completed? This kinda goes with providing updates, because if you were- you wouldn't have forgotten my piece. Since joining FA, I've had 5 artists fail to deliver pieces. Currently, there are 2 artists that I'm dealing with due to lack of delivery and lack of response. These are not new artists- these are people who have a following on here for being GREAT artists, but lack of planning and organization means I lose my piece. I mean, why remember my piece after you have my money, right? Who cares if it cost me $120? Further, PayPal protects the SHIT out of you. In ALL instances where I've been forced to try and fight this, I've ALWAYS lost.

6) Know how to invoice. Do some tests for a dollar or something with a friend. Know that if you are in Russia, that you need to set the payment type to USD as that's the standard on FA. Know how to disable required shipping.

7) Just because you created the art, doesn't mean that you necessarily own the piece. The exception, in my mind, is when it's something like a YCH with multiple customer's characters. But if I commission you for a piece, it's mine. You should ask me if it's OK to upload. If you work as a programmer for a company (many who are freelance, just like you artists) you don't walk away owning the program you wrote - the same needs to apply here.


FA needs to add a artist rating/review system. Some artists may have great art, but horrible customer service- and it'd be nice to have that documented somewhere.

Some of you may not agree- I mean, this post is very consumer-oriented and goes against the grain in a lot of practices here on FA, but it's all stuff that is the norm in the real world, online and at physical locations. It's gotten ridiculous here. Artists are here to conduct BUSINESS, in the end- you're here to serve your customers. I understand the need to restrict constant modifications to pieces, or people making completely unrealistic requests- but nothing like that is here in my list.

Anyway, thanks for reading my rant,
Ori~