Pricing for Art Commissions?

[Kisa]

Kisa, you didn't both agree on a price upfront, before you did the work? Forgive my bluntness, but just take this as good advice.

That will cause you all sorts of problems in the future. You need to get a contract of sorts written out, settle on a price/price range/budget, and THEN go with the work.

Putting the cart before the horse basically burdens you with the work already done, and what if they decide you weren't in their budget? You need to get these things hammered out beforehand. ><

YEah sorry This is the first commission I've done in 8 years, so I kinda forgot

[Kisa]

Very pissed off. I texted him a photo of the finished logo. He said he liked it. Just as I feared, he balked at the price and offered me $100.....
I explained that most business logos cost upwards of $300, so my price is more than fair. It didn't make an impact, so I offered $150 just to be rid of the damn thing and to get something for all my hard work. He ignored me. Today, once again wanting it to just be over, I offered $130. Yeah, I'm taking a huge hit, but I chalked it up to my mistake of not setting a price beforehand. Plus, I just want this to be over with. He hemmed and hawed and said he has to think about it.

Right now, I'm torn between wanting to take the $100 just to get something for my 16 hours of labor and blacklist him, wanting to call the whole thing off and tell him "good luck finding someone cheaper", and worrying that he will take the blurry, underexposed photo I sent him and steal my logo.

I'm very, very stressed, very angry and have no idea what to do.

[RayvenQ]

Right now, I'm torn between wanting to take the $100 just to get something for my 16 hours of labor and blacklist him, wanting to call the whole thing off and tell him "good luck finding someone cheaper", and worrying that he will take the blurry, underexposed photo I sent him and steal my logo.

I'm very, very stressed, very angry and have no idea what to do.

I dont mean to make you undervalue your work, but frankly, I'd take the $100, chalk it up to experience and blacklist him, because, as you say, he might steal the logo and then he'd have what he wanted (or thereabouts) and you'd have nothing.

As others have said, it's always good to set a price in stone before you do any work, and, if possible, get half in advance.

Plus I recommend hitting him with an anal scrape attack!

(For thoseof you wondering wtf, me and Kisa played scrabble last night and those were the first three words we ended up with)

[Der Cute]

Do your best to get to $150. (I hope you put a watermark on it). And keep eye on his biz and see if he's copied the idea to anyone else (Seraph stuff!!)
"I worked on this (fluff to 24 hours) and my charge to you is discounted because I know you. I'm willing to go to $130 on this, but if not, there will be no usage of my logo/idea."
*mumble asshole*
Stern wording, NO BS waffleness, and use this as a learning lesson. Ask Seraph, read her threads..

[Seraph]

Alright guys. <spits on palms, rubs hands together.> Let's do this.

Very pissed off. I texted him a photo of the finished logo. He said he liked it. Just as I feared, he balked at the price and offered me $100.....

That's what I was afraid of. He's thinking "She already did the work, she HAS to unload it now, so I can get whatever I want." Plus, you immediately waffled down to 150, then 130, so he knows you'll take 130. And he's probably pretty confident he can get 100 out of you.

I explained that most business logos cost upwards of $300, so my price is more than fair. It didn't make an impact, so I offered $150 just to be rid of the damn thing and to get something for all my hard work. He ignored me. Today, once again wanting it to just be over, I offered $130. Yeah, I'm taking a huge hit, but I chalked it up to my mistake of not setting a price beforehand. Plus, I just want this to be over with. He hemmed and hawed and said he has to think about it.

Tell him he has 2 business days to get in contact with you, elsewise you will be moving on, selling the logo rights to someone else, and will be sending him a letter noting that the logo was unpaid for, and rights are heretofore NOT his in the least bit. And that you'll be retaining a copy of said letter, and sending it via cert mail, to cover your butt.

Right now, I'm torn between wanting to take the $100 just to get something for my 16 hours of labor and blacklist him, wanting to call the whole thing off and tell him "good luck finding someone cheaper"

Its up to you. Do note to him tomorrow that he faces being blacklisted over this, and carefully, CAREFULLY possibly insinuate that it's not good for business to start off with not paying invoices. That sort of a reputation can really harm their business, especially with a local community.

and worrying that he will take the blurry, underexposed photo I sent him and steal my logo.

If he does, clap your hands in glee, you can then drag him to small claims (as long as you have that letter thing done), and proceed to get the original demand, PLUS damages. And then he'll also have to pay legal fees.

I'm very, very stressed, very angry and have no idea what to do.

/hugs

...oh...I forgot what I did to my hands. My bad. That'll wash right out. I swear.

[Kisa]

Alright guys. <spits on palms, rubs hands together.> Let's do this.

Yaayyy Seraph to my rescue!

That's what I was afraid of. He's thinking "She already did the work, she HAS to unload it now, so I can get whatever I want." Plus, you immediately waffled down to 150, then 130, so he knows you'll take 130. And he's probably pretty confident he can get 100 out of you.

Yeah that was my bad :/

Tell him he has 2 business days to get in contact with you, elsewise you will be moving on, selling the logo rights to someone else, and will be sending him a letter noting that the logo was unpaid for, and rights are heretofore NOT his in the least bit. And that you'll be retaining a copy of said letter, and sending it via cert mail, to cover your butt.

I'll get typing on that letter

Its up to you. Do note to him tomorrow that he faces being blacklisted over this, and carefully, CAREFULLY possibly insinuate that it's not good for business to start off with not paying invoices. That sort of a reputation can really harm their business, especially with a local community.

I'm thinking about offering $100 just to get something because I would like the extra cash for my upcoming trip, but if he pulls the "let me think on it" card again, I'll get his address and send the letter.

If he does, clap your hands in glee, you can then drag him to small claims (as long as you have that letter thing done), and proceed to get the original demand, PLUS damages. And then he'll also have to pay legal fees.

Should I get him to sign something saying "I'm a jerk who doesn't want to pay for things" or just stick to the letter?

/hugs

...oh...I forgot what I did to my hands. My bad. That'll wash right out. I swear.

Thanks for the help! I feel better now :3

[Seraph]

Um, if you want, you can have him sign a letter stating he has no intention of paying the invoice, but really, you don't need that. Just the letter. The letter lets him know you mean business.

[Seraph]

Kisa? How did things go....any update?

[Kisa]

Just sent him a text offering $100. I told him he has until 7pm (4 hours) to decide. At 7pm, I'll tell him the deal is off and send him a letter saying he didn't pay for the logo and therefore has no rights to it. Ugh...my stomach is in knots...

[KhirasHY]

What? Shameless self promotion? Well, if you insist... http://sidekickgirl.net/

Back on topic, though, don't undervalue your work. Seriously. If you price yourself too cheaply, people will not respect the quality of your work, or your time. Even if you're not confident in the quality yet, NEVER forget that your time is valuable. Pay yourself a respectable wage.

Awesome stuff

Back on topic again, good luck Kisa.

[Kisa]

The jerk didn't message back :/ Ah well. Good luck finding another logo for less!

[Seraph]

Yep, send that letter, and get a movin'. There's places you can resell logos, so give those a look. Alternatively, offer it up as a stock art image.