Commission problem advice

[Jez]

Hi everyone. I'm hoping someone can give me advice on a bit of an issue I'm having.

I paid a very respectable hollywood sfx artist to do a private commission for me. He was very enthusiastic about it and things progressed very well for the first few months. He said we would work together every day up until the time to mold. Things started taking longer as he was working on movies and other projects. But would reassure me that things were going great, which is perfectly understandable. We never really specified a completion date. Any way, fast forward to 2 years later in November last year he promised to send me updated pics within a couple of weeks. It has been around 7 months since then and he has not responded to any of my emails or Facebook messages. I'm a bit shocked as he doesn't seem the kind of person to mess people around and I understand if he's busy but I'm beginning to worry that I'm never going to see anything from this.

Should I be concerned ?

[JadeGiant]

Originally Posted by Jez

Should I be concerned ?

Yes

[risingstar]

Originally Posted by Jez

Should I be concerned ?

Absolutely. Ask for a refund asap and move on. It appears that you could not be less of a priority in this artist's life. Get your cash back and run.

[Jez]

I'll try asking for a refund, probably wont reply but ill try all the same.

[JadeGiant]

Originally Posted by Jez

I'll try asking for a refund, probably wont reply but ill try all the same.

Take the high road, express your stance firmly and professionally. Put an expectation on when you require a response.

Then start thinking about what you are going to do if you don’t get a satisfactory response. Not doing something is not a good plan.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by JadeGiant

Take the high road, express your stance firmly and professionally. Put an expectation on when you require a response.

Then start thinking about what you are going to do if you don’t get a satisfactory response. Not doing something is not a good plan.

Ok thanks for the advice, very much appreciated. This has never happened to me before so if he doesn't reply I'm not sure what I can do. I paid him through Paypal for a service but as it was 2 years ago im not sure they can help at all.

[JadeGiant]

You may have to go the route of publicizing your experience. Nothing seems to get results like shining a very prominent light on an artist taking money. Does the artist have much of an online/social media presence?

[Wombat]

If you get no response you can try sending a certified letter.

[Jez]

Just an update. I did get a pretty rapid response after i sent the message requesting a refund. He has agreed but said he would need some time so as of yet haven't had anything back. Hopefully wont have to wait too long

[JadeGiant]

I would reply to his email very promptly and put very clear expectations upon him. Don’t sit back and hope he replies soon. You need to get in the driver’s seat on this refund.