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Hi, I hope I am posting this in the right place. The short story is that I recently contracted with a very popular, well-known commission service to have a large army put together ($2500-$3000 job, depending on servicing fees and modeling costs). At the time I originally contacted the company, which was in mid January, I was told that the commission would take approximately 8 weeks total. I sent them my miniatures a while later (about a month), with the understanding that since I had put a deposit down, that my project would essentially reserve a spot in their painting rotation. In other words, it was represented to me that waiting to send in the miniatures would not delay my commission.

In early March, I received an email telling me that my project had not been started and that when it was started (I was not given a start date), that it would take 8-12 weeks. I of course got frustrated as I had turned down other commissions on the basis of timelines (although I regret that now), and because I was hoping to have everything by April. The response I received was essentially nonresponsive to my concerns, without an apology and offered to refund my money if I had any issues with the new timeline. I called the owner, and subsequently was promised that my commission was being started that assembly would be complete (with pictures) by the weekend. After waiting two weeks, and hearing nothing, I sent another email asking for an update. This time I was again promised that I would receive work in progress pictures by the weekend. That weekend has come and gone and I am still without any update.

I am wondering what peoples' feelings are about commissions. Are these kind of problems common? How would you handle this situation? Any of your general thoughts are appreciated.

I am guessing Blue Table Painting, right?

Surprisingly, no. But I don't wish to provide a name as my goal here isn't to put them down and possibly further threaten the completion of my project.

Wait how much was the deposit??? give a percent if you wish I'll then have the response I'd give them.

Post the name, they are the ones who have screwed up big time. This is terrible customer service, especially being such a big job. A client giving that much business deserves at least what you're asking for, it's easy to give re-assuring responses to customers ffs.

It won't affect whether they finish the job or not - it's sort of their job and you paid their ass.

Don't want bad press? Don't screw your customer.

 masterblaster wrote:
Wait how much was the deposit??? give a percent if you wish I'll then have the response I'd give them.

Deposit was approximately $600.00. Total cost is up around $2500.00, with a possibility of increasing to $3000.00 depending on modeling variations and what not.

I know how you feel. Warring souls did something similar. Quoted the time but never started for ages and ages. The final product was ok but I find it far better to go with smaller companies with a reputation now. Better results and honest service.

So tell us who in my opinion. You may save someone from using them without caution. If they act out because you say it im sure the online community (us) will make a fuss to help you

You Sir are a very nice person. If I gave some one a six hundred dollar deposit for a job of 2500 and they had the option to raise it to 3000. Then be treated by the cold shoulder dodging your questions not starting or showing you pictures of works in progress. I'd be a PR nightmare for them I can't really say what I would tell them Kids are on here but I have patience but not for this and not for when I give someone 600 dollar to sit around with their thumbs shoved up their butts. I'd go off and definitely in the future start checking out the smaller commission painters they are way more customer friendly since they need good customer service since they can't take the bad report as the larger money hungry commission groups can.


good luck and you better have them gold plated for the hassle your getting trying to get info from them

Delays and reprioritisations happen all the time. It's polite to communicate them. Once a project is underway, unless it has been sidelined for some reason (which the client should be told) it shouldn't be hard to get some wip shots,

We have started a small commission business with some friends and I have already turned down a job because we couldn't cope with the delivery time the customer asked for. I believe this in the long run will prove much more beneficial to our returning customers base, than taking someones money in advance for a job you will be unable to deliver on the agreed time.

They should provide you with some short of compensation (the very least they can say is we are sorry) preferably a discount of some sort . It is up to you to say their name or not but your decision should not be made under the fear that they will keep on screwing you with your current project.