Commission Conundrum ((aka HEEELLP))

[Red_Dazes]

I'm a bit moody right now. for alot of reasons. But one of the big ones BLARING ME IN THE FACE. is that my adopted sis kinda forced a commission on me. She is one of those people who can get you to agree to something before you have realized you agreed to it. ><

Anyway, she wants me to design a Logo for one of her friends. He makes surf/beach gear and stuff. And this guy is super excited... because... she of course already told him I would do it. ><

I've gotten over most of the annoyance, mainly cause I have only 1 other project I am working on, and the logo has NO time scale other than (well I don't want it to NEVER get done huck huck huck)

The thing is... I just can't figure out what estimate to give the guy. I've done one other paid commission for my Drama Teachers wife... and I gave her a damn good deal $50 for the flier that took me almost 3 months before she liked it.

So some details.
-He gave me barely anything to work with.
-aprox size.
-Text
-"so I want it like a guys face. And some color... ya know"
*face palm* On top of that, him AND sis are expecting me to give him a good deal.
I've already had some MAJOR problems with it. He sent me a file that would give me a better idea of what he wanted. but the thing is like 20000x20000 and as quick as my computer is it does NOT like that file size. I've had to reboot 3 times today cause it keeps freezing every time I try and open it.

I'm considering that an extra $15 to whatever I charge him "annoyance fee +$5"

*sigh* Sorry about the length... I was just hoping you guys could give me some advice for $$ payment, since alot of you do commission work.

[gremcint]

Delete the file and ask for a smaller version as that one is too large, Get a written description of what he wants. After getting an idea of what he wants then calculate the job at normal rate and then apply whatever modifiers you have.

[MaggieTheCat]

^^^ What Gremcint said. If your computer is lagging and crashing just to open the thing then he shouldn't have a problem resizing it to a reasonable size. Also tell him what you need from him to do the project...size, colors, design, any words, etc. and tell him until you get those things (in detail) you can't do the project. I think once you get those things, it will be easier to give him an estimate on cost. And don't be too bashful...if you do this for a living...or even if it's a side job/hobby/project, you're still in it to make money, and if he expects to pay little to nothing, it's just not fair.

You might also mention to sis that you don't appreciate being volunteered for things that you don't even know about. Good luck, let us know how it works out.

[bookworm]

My husband deals with the expecting a good deal thing all the time. Unfortunately, it never fails that those are the ones who forget to pay. I have finally convinced him that unless he really doesn't mind doing the work for free, he needs to have a reasonable set fee (his is an hourly rate) and if the family/friends aren't willing to pay it, they are free to call someone else.

The only time the person chose to call someone else, they ended up calling hubby back because his regular rate as an individual was still cheaper than a company rate.

[Jester]

I would definitely tell your sister that, in the future, she can refer people to you, but she is NOT to promise them anything, either that you will do it OR that you will give them a smoking deal. Nothing more than a "Hey, my sister does this for a living, why don't you give her a call?" Not, "Hey, my sister can do this for you and she'll give you a huge discount."

As it turns out, my little sister does graphic design work as a side to her regular job. My roommate is a computer tech. I have referred people to both of them for work, but have always told those people that I can't promise them anything, they need to talk to sis/roommate on their own.