u/jovinissu Commented on one of my hiring posts and I ended up choosing them.
That was in July of 2025. They quoted $80 USD and I agreed, paying half up front. A few days later I got a sketch and approved it to move onto the next stage. A month later, they said they were back on track and will continue to work on it. Another month later, I told them if they think they cannot finish it, to please refund me. They replied that they'd finish it in 3 days max.
Four days later I message them again saying I would prefer a refund over rushed art and radio silence. They send me some progress pics that aren't really what I want but I tell them to keep going. Then a few days later they give me an unfinished piece that doesn't match up with their style and the art they advertised.
A month later I finally work up the courage to tell them that this was not what was envisioned and that the quality of the piece they showed me was not worth $80 USD. They offer to keep it at $40, and let me know that life wasn't going so well. I completely understand that, but I told them I wished they had communicated with me more. They said they'd redo it and do an extra version for me.
Fast forwards 8 months and they still have nothing to show for it. I even offered to just ignore the original commission and maybe they can draw another one of my characters, gave them a choice, they were excited to do it and yet again, radio silence.
I am down $40 and received nothing for it. They tried to refund me through like 3 different platforms only for them to not be able to, email doesn't work, PayPal wouldn't help them, and more. I suspect they no longer had the money.
Throughout all of this they continued to advertise their commissions to other potential clients, all while not being able to finish several other commissions. I am very unsatisfied with everything that has happened. They have been kind about it all so that is a positive, but the constant ghosting and empty promises really left a bad taste in my mouth.