Flaky artists are beginning to get on my nerves...

[ellenmillion]

 Now you KNOW I love you all dearly, but I'm looking through my paypal receipts for 2004 and not particularly being impressed with my return on investments and taking chances on small companies and artists here.

I like small press. I will continue to support the reliable small press ventures out there with my purchases. I'll even plug them! Check out Small Beer Press, or Two Cranes Press! Fast service, great products! Sofawolf was awesome!

But if you ever happen to start up a small press business or take commissions, let me tell you how NOT to do business:

DO NOT COLLECT PEOPLE'S MONEY AND THEN GIVE THEM NOTHING.

I was supposed to get a t-shirt and comic from someplace last July. Guess what I got: nothing! And their webpage is no longer there.

I was supposed to get a comic from another place in 'fall of 2004.' (Yeah, I know this would probably have more IMPACT if I told you who they were, but I've emailed and am giving them a chance to come forward and say, 'gosh I'm sorry! All of our staff underwent brain surgery in the fall and we had to put our projects on hold. Here's your money!' or 'Gosh, we lost your order, let me get this out to you!') What do I get from them? Nada.

I've ordered three or four little commissions that I can barely afford (particularly right about now...). Guess how many I've seen completed... go ahead, guess! NONE!!

Now, I can look at the RWH tarot project and say, okay, there's SOME hypocracy here, but at least I've let those people KNOW what's up... and I've got a standing offer there to refund that money... and if it's not finished by the end of the month, I intend to do exactly that.

Okay, gotta go do taxes.

And no, I'm not looking for grovelling or apologies - I know some of the folks I'm talking about are on my friendslist - see the first line! I just wanted to throw a little temper tantrum, okay? We're all entitled, and I just wanted to gripe and complain and say that it gets harder and harder and harder to continue trusting and supporting and risking every time this happens. No feeling bad, that's not allowed or productive. Just do what you need to do and I bet you ten hundred million dollars that YOU'LL feel better, too. Sometimes we all need kicks in the rear and no one is expecting perfection.

Comments

[jemstone.livejournal.com]

And this is why I have not opened any form of serious, for-pay, gallery or account with you, despite REALLY REALLY REALLY wanting to do stuff with it. My life is a complete and total mess right now, and I am in no position to do so.

I think you would agree with me when I say that more people need to take realistic evaluations of their lives before they undertake such things. It would save you a lot of hassle, and them a lot of credit.

-JEM

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

*nodsnods*

[tigerpixieart.livejournal.com]

You did get my bookmarks that you ordered right???? I just assumed since I didn't hear from you that you did! If not let me know and I'll get some more out to you ASAP!!

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Yes, oh, and I LOVED them! I thought I'd already written to you (or it would be on my list of things to do... :)), they're just gorgeous!

[tigerpixieart.livejournal.com]

Cool! :) I'm so glad you like them!! LOL! You had me worried there for a minute ;)

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

I was actually going to give some away as Christmas presents, but couldn't bear to part with them. :P

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thanks! And yeah, I do the same - orders might go out a few days late, but some of these orders I found are for things purchased just shy of a YEAR ago.

Pfff...

Oh well, tantrum over - and it was fun and refreshing while it lasted! Gotta mark those expenditures down to 'lost money.' Maybe I'll stick in the 'gambling losses' line of my taxes. Hmm...

[songblade.livejournal.com]

YERK! Lost money!! I'm so sorry to hear that :( :( Is there anything I can do? X.o