Hello, everyone.
I decided that commissioning is just not for me and admittedly say that I cannot plan my time well enough to take commissions. Unfortunately, when first opened fursuit commissions, I was sent MANY orders and I felt guilty for turning them all done. Because of this, I have a huge load on my plate that I still need to finish.
I am in the process of refunding several (most) of these clients and I wanted to ask you all a question. Since I do not get paid a lot (I have a dead end job) and don 't get many hours each week (barely part time), I can only send out about $40-50 each pay check. Fortunately, I am getting hours so this will surely increase.
In my system, I go down a list of people to refund in increments. For example, person A gets refunded this week, person B gets refunded the next, Person C the next, then back to person A to start the cycle again. Keep in mind I do get paid biweekly.
Is this a good system? I want to be fair and refund everyone a little at a time rather than make them all wait for one person to get completely paid off until I even start on them.
I have one or two commissioners that don't seem to like this idea. What should I do? If you were in my position, what would you do?
Also, I really, really hate to say this, but to avoid any drama, I'd love to avoid any lectures on how "oh Koisnake, look have you done" or "Koisnake, you are a terrible humanbeing for taking on this much you should be ashamed of yourself". I already know I am a horrible human being for getting over my head with this and not keeping on top of things so I would be grateful if I wasn't reminded, haha. :)
Thank you!
I decided that commissioning is just not for me and admittedly say that I cannot plan my time well enough to take commissions. Unfortunately, when first opened fursuit commissions, I was sent MANY orders and I felt guilty for turning them all done. Because of this, I have a huge load on my plate that I still need to finish.
I am in the process of refunding several (most) of these clients and I wanted to ask you all a question. Since I do not get paid a lot (I have a dead end job) and don 't get many hours each week (barely part time), I can only send out about $40-50 each pay check. Fortunately, I am getting hours so this will surely increase.
In my system, I go down a list of people to refund in increments. For example, person A gets refunded this week, person B gets refunded the next, Person C the next, then back to person A to start the cycle again. Keep in mind I do get paid biweekly.
Is this a good system? I want to be fair and refund everyone a little at a time rather than make them all wait for one person to get completely paid off until I even start on them.
I have one or two commissioners that don't seem to like this idea. What should I do? If you were in my position, what would you do?
Also, I really, really hate to say this, but to avoid any drama, I'd love to avoid any lectures on how "oh Koisnake, look have you done" or "Koisnake, you are a terrible humanbeing for taking on this much you should be ashamed of yourself". I already know I am a horrible human being for getting over my head with this and not keeping on top of things so I would be grateful if I wasn't reminded, haha. :)
Thank you!
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I would suggest telling the customers that have complained what your situation is and why you are doing it the way you are doing it. They're getting their money back. They don't really have room to do more than complain a little.
Stay super professional about it and they'll be satisfied in the end. Also, it'll be harder for them if they choose to try to litigate (which I doubt will happen). By having such a good system, you're doing a lot to protect yourself already.
My potential issue with this system is that you'll end up owing everyone something like $10 which is a lot easier to blow off, and there are less options available for dealing with it. What I would do is refund full commissions when possible so if something happens you still have the option to refund or complete Person K's commission. (You know what I mean, something comes up and you need $50 that week, you might be able to just finish up a commission rather than refund it.)
Generally the simplest solution is the best one. It's a lot easier to handle a mistake if you only have to deal with a few people, rather than your whole list of commissioners.
But no matter what, you're refunding them and they really have nothing to complain about.
Yes yes. Things may be moving slow, but I am definitely happy to say I am refunding my customers every month for sure.
For full payments make it clear that you can't pay them all of their money RIGHT NOW, but if they wait however long you can put aside a certain amount each month and then pay them back in full whenever you have the full amount set aside. People will probably be a lot more understanding than you think, so maybe make your situation clear to them and go with the option that's easiest for both you and your commissioner(s)?
I'd also suggest keeping a log and screencaps of how much you paid back, when, and to who to avoid confusion and (not saying it's gonna' happen, but to cover your behind and make sure) to avoid people trying to say you didn't ... pay them back what you did.
I probably worded this funny, I'm not used to giving advice on here. Sorry~.
And not a bad idea. I like the idea of setting aside some money every month so when they finally do get their refund, it's nice and big, haha.
No, I understood this. Thank you so much for your advice!
But on topic, I'm thinking you're doing what's in your means, and that's about the best you can do. Though if you do get more hours, you should try to pay more to the people who have been waiting longest first, make sense?
Definitely =D The more hours I get, the bigger the refund installments will be and the more often I can send them out.
As for the actual system, I think most people are ok, but some are iffy as in how soon they get their payments.
Also, you say you're paid biweekly, I'm a little confused if you mean twice a week or every two weeks?
Depending how many people are waiting, you might be better off pooling the money and then giving them all 1/x'th at the same time. Maybe once a week, maybe once a month, whatever makes most people happy.
I'm not really keen on the idea of making the patient people wait longer to pay the complainers first, IDK. Might be easier on you but it's kinda "punishing" the patient ones.
And yes, I agree,. I know I had to pull out money a few time for complainers and yes, they were out of my hair, but the patient people had to wait that much longer.