Advice needed - has a commission gone bad?

[marvmoogy]

Hi all, 
 

Just thought I'd post to ask about a commission job that seems to have gone bad.

 

I had one lot painted and drove to the painter to pick them up and drop off the next lot.  After having 1 lot of minis painted which turned out pretty well (had a few finishing touches that needed correcting), I dropped off the models for the next batch and waited for them to be ready.  And waited.  And waited.

 

There have been loads of delays and I was expecting these to be ready circa 12 weeks ago.  There were personal reasons to the delays (which is fine - real life has a habit of getting in the way and I understand and appreciate this) but I'm now feeling enough is enough.  They were posted to me nearly 8 weeks ago.  No updates then at the start of June I was given a tracking number.  Kept and eye on it and no update, got in touch with the courier who said the parcel hasn't been dropped off to them.

I've been sending regular messages but communication has died a death recently.  What would you suggest as next steps?

 

To put this in context, we're talking about just over £300 worth of models, plus the painting cost. 

 

Thanks in advance guys

[infyrana]

My first recommendation is to not invest or risk anything further at this time with this painter, don't be pulled into anything following any fresh communication.

 

If the painter returns the models or completes them and gets the back to you, that's usually a win.  Take it and run.  If they should paint them badly, pray you can strip the paint to do it yourself!  If it's just that they are having a really hard time with delays, if you are unhappy and see a risk, try to get your models back with or without paint.

 

- Have you visited the painter since to collect your models?

- Did you drop off all £300 worth of models and paints with the painter?

- Did you pay anything for the painting services yet?

- Did you make sure to create a receipt of sorts and get the painter to sign it so you have a record of your leaving the painter with your property?

- Do you have any evidence that you left property with this painter, a receipt of sorts like a peice of signed paper or an e-mail response saying something like "now I have your models I can paint them" etc?

- Have you since tried to ask for the return of your models regardless of their painting condition to see what sort of person this painter is? (sure, you might lose their trust if they're genuine, but at least you won't have lost your investment)

 

I would begin by collating all the facts (dates/timing, events, documents, correspondence, address/name, travel, items involved, etc) into a folder.  This information is vital should you feel that things have gone sour and you'd like to take it further.  Should any funding have changed hands, I hope that you did so via a safe method (paypal? They have a 45 day period with which you can make a claim in iirc).

 

Sorry for any haste in my reply, it's tough to make recommendations given that these situations are different in all cases!

 

edIt: minor sentence structure.

[Quixus]

Aside from the evidence gathering infyrana recommended contact the painter in writing (snail mail, possibly registered delivery). Receiving a request on paper often works wonders.

 

Be polite but firm in your requests (delivery of painted miniatures, return of funds and unpainted miniatures etc.), set a reasonable date by which you want your request fulfilled. Inform the painter what measures you will take (contacting a lawyer,reporting him to the police etc.) once the deadline has passed. Follow through with those measures, if the painter does not comply.

 

I hope it all works out.

[Ironwithout]

So my thoughts on this as a commission painter.

 

1. As a person who gets paid for painting becomes a pro painter regardless of how good they are. They are from that point on a professional and act as one. Real life events should only have a minor impact upon clients as they should always have a back up plan.

2. Communication is massive and should be as often as the client requests. If they want it daily then that's what they get. If that can't be accommodated then the commission shouldn't be accepted.

3. From a painters point of view and if I was the customer I have a paper trail for all communication. Facebook messenger is my preferred method as you can clearly see a log of you're previous comments. Telephone and video chat is perfectly acceptable but everything that has been said should be summarised and be evidenced to protect both yourself and the artist.

4.A professional ( he's a professional if he gets paid ) should be taking responsibility for your models. If they are now lost in the post or whatever the reason he should be chasing that. Not ignoring you or leaving group to deal with it.

5. For all intents and purposes this is a professional matter and not a personal one and you should treat it as such. The reality is you have had a poor service and need it fixed. Tell him what you are going to do for example post a review on his page, make a complaint, contacting a lawyer or whatever you feel is needed and follow through with it.

6. As far as I'm aware for paypal claims they need to be done within 45 days as far as I'm aware. ( do the hold me to that ) which is why I would never recommend payment till the end of a project unless it's special circumstances. The models are the deposit.

 

That's my general thoughts on the matter. From what your describing effectively someone has your models and has not given them back which feels like theft in its basic form. Yes it's a bit more complicated then that but still.

 

Good luck

[marvmoogy]

Thanks for the replies guys.  

 

Let's see how it pans out!

[Lephisto]

6. As far as I'm aware for paypal claims they need to be done within 45 days as far as I'm aware. ( do the hold me to that ) which is why I would never recommend payment till the end of a project unless it's special circumstances. The models are the deposit.

 

 

You can do claims within 6 months using Paypal, that's why it's so very recommended you use that.