Give them a deadline for the measurements (nothing too long, you've already been waiting quite a while) and then if they miss that deadline, ask them if they'd like a refund of the payment, minus exact costs of the fur/shipping to them, or a full refund and you get to keep the fur. Mention that if they don't respond within 24 hours (or whatever span of time you want) with their preference on refund method, you'll just send a full refund to the Paypal address they used to pay you.

You're fully within your rights to refund them whether they like it or not. If they're refusing to give you the information that you need to make their commission, they simply aren't going to get it... so it's best to just give them their money back. As growly said, giving a deadline is a good idea too.

AFter 2 years I'd just refund them regardless of how they feel about it. I wouldn't want that hanging over my head all that time.

I would give them a deadline to get the measurements to you, otherwise, you are cancelling the project. If you know their Paypal address, I would send them their refund without their consent (if the deadline is missed) and consider the matter closed. It's not your responsibility to chase a customer around for two years. I think you've done enough to try and work with them and if this is how they are about this one simple step, it will only get worse when it comes time for approval, questions you may have, getting their shipping address, etc. Basically, this seems like a huge red flag for future communication issues, which isn't worth your time if you are trying to move on.

If you are worried about this coming back on you, just be sure you keep ample documentation and records of all of your communications with this person from here on out, and make sure your intentions and deadlines are clear (as well as take screen caps of the Paypal refund and such if it comes to that). They may get upset, but if you've returned their money, then there is nothing to accuse you of doing aside from cancelling a project you are no longer comfortable working on or have the time to dedicate to. Every artist has that right so long as they offer refunds for work they have not done. At least IMO. Good luck!

I am with eeeveryone else here. One month deadline to get their measurements to you or full refund no matter what it is they want.

If I were you - I would just refund their money minus the cost of shipping and fur, send them the fur, and wash your hands of the entire project. If the fur is hard to find and you want to keep it for another project, just refund them the full amount.

It's not your job to chase them around, and if they're this slow to take simple measurements you could wind up with a half-finished suit sitting around for years waiting on their approval to move forward.

If they're so worried they'll screw it up they can always have a tailor measure them and then they can send those measurements to you, it won't be hard, just tell them they're getting a costume made. I'm sure they wouldn't charge much to measure someone either.

If they aren't willing to send you anything, you might as well refund them and move on.

I agree with pretty much everyone else; at this point, either give them a deadline to get their measurements to you, or just cancel it and send them their refund whether they want it or not. At this point, the client is wasting your time, and you have better things to be doing than chase them around for two+ years trying to get something as simple as some measurements.

After 2 years at this point, I would not want to work on on the suit. They've had two years to get assistance with measurements; that's more than enough.

Give them a deadline to pick either:
1) full refund (where you keep what you've already bought)
or
2) refund minus cost of supplies/shipping (where they get the supplies you've bought)

If they don't respond, pick your favoured option, resolve. If you ship things make sure to use signature confirmation. Move on.

i echo p much everyone. send them a note saying 'hey i need that info or i'm gonna refund on [date].'

any protests they voice just reiterate: measurements or refund. if the date comes and you still have no measurements, send 'em back their money.

2 years? Yikes... A little much don't you think?

Maybe they enjoy throwing money away? Since the obviously don't want a suit apparently by their actions!

What an odd thing to do...

Refund whatever has not been spent already on supplies and ship them the fur. If they haven't given you measurements in two years, I can imagine what the wait will be in regards to updates and the like.

Good luck!