How to Lose Commission Requests and Alienate People 5 5

[tth2]

On 5/28/2023 at 9:44 AM, Funnybooks said:

How is this offensive?

How would you like to get this job offer:

"We're offering you this job because our first 5 candidates turned us down and while we don't think you're really qualified, we desperately need a warm body and you're the next best thing." 

[Funnybooks]

On 5/27/2023 at 10:36 PM, tth2 said:

How would you like to get this job offer:

"We're offering you this job because our first 5 candidates turned us down and while we don't think you're really qualified, we desperately need a warm body and you're the next best thing." 

sign me up 

[Dr. Balls]

On 5/27/2023 at 7:00 PM, jjonahjameson11 said:

Sorry, I side with the artist on this.

his rationale for NOT wanting to do commissions was detailed and valid…plus, he was offended by the requester

Yeesh. This “artist” is completely unprofesssional. His rationale is completely and utterly superfluous. 

Whining, explaining negative scenarios, getting butt-hurt: reactions I expect from a 12 year old who doesn’t want to mow the lawn, not from a grown man who apparently has a job in this field. The customer has absolutely no need to know your personal problems and issues with your profession.

If you don’t want to deal with people, stop answering emails. It’s that simple. If you can’t handle your artsy feelings getting hurt or you can’t handle if someone “offends” you, you should probably not be talking to the public. There is zero excuse for this kind of response.

I’m sorry for being all judg-ey on this particular topic, but this was my wheelhouse for 20+ years, and treating a client or customer like that was unacceptable. I am not a fan of artists that can’t keep themselves together enough to talk to the people wanting to give them business.

 

Edited May 28, 2023 by Dr. Balls

[onlyweaknesskryptonite]

[thehumantorch]

On 5/27/2023 at 7:10 PM, Ryan. said:

This should be a fun thread.

It's already fun.

[onlyweaknesskryptonite]

On 5/27/2023 at 9:36 PM, tth2 said:

How would you like to get this job offer:

"We're offering you this job because our first 5 candidates turned us down and while we don't think you're really qualified, we desperately need a warm body and you're the next best thing." 

[thehumantorch]

On 5/27/2023 at 10:03 PM, Dr. Balls said:

Yeesh. This “artist” is completely unprofesssional. His rationale is completely and utterly superfluous. 

Whining, explaining negative scenarios, getting butt-hurt: reactions I expect from a 12 year old who doesn’t want to mow the lawn, not from a grown man who apparently has a job in this field. The customer has absolutely no need to know your personal problems and issues with your profession.

If you don’t want to deal with people, stop answering emails. It’s that simple. If you can’t handle your artsy feelings getting hurt or you can’t handle if someone “offends” you, you should probably not be talking to the public. There is zero excuse for this kind of response.

I’m sorry for being all judg-ey on this particular topic, but this was my wheelhouse for 20+ years, and treating a client or customer like that was unacceptable. I am not a fan of artists that can’t keep themselves together enough to talk to the people wanting to give them business.

 

Seems like the artist thanking someone for their interest and saying they aren't accepting commissions because of work deadlines would be a more reasonable response.

[MagnusX]

On 5/27/2023 at 10:36 PM, tth2 said:

How would you like to get this job offer:

"We're offering you this job because our first 5 candidates turned us down and while we don't think you're really qualified, we desperately need a warm body and you're the next best thing." 

[barneythecantankerous]

On 5/28/2023 at 1:48 AM, Will_K said:

OP said "a commission is like the next best thing".  A commission.  Not the "artist" in question.  And OP explained why a commission is like the next best thing.  Because the artists no longer have pages.  As someone mentioned above, "bullet dodged".  Move on and don't look back.

I'm grateful at least one person understood my messages! But it's interesting so many also read into it wrongly, like the artist. 

But to anyone didn't understand, yes, the "next best thing" was a commission, not him as an artist.

[Grendel72]

The artist probably misread your message. You could have clarified with him that the next best thing was a commission and not him,  instead of "sorry, did that come off as offensive", which probably only confirmed his inaccurate interpretation.  Nonetheless based on what the artist posted, he seems to at least take his commissioning very seriously. Who knows, maybe once u clarify with him, could turn out to be a marvellous commission. Tho I wouldn't have the cojones to do it. 

[timguerrero]

I'd move on. Artist seems too much of a deva and he is already letting you know he'll be delayed.

[The Voord]

On 5/28/2023 at 2:23 AM, Funnybooks said:

here come the artist apologists 

No, just trying to look at it from both sides.

[Funnybooks]

On 5/28/2023 at 3:38 AM, barneythecantankerous said:

I'm grateful at least one person understood my messages! But it's interesting so many also read into it wrongly, like the artist. 

But to anyone didn't understand, yes, the "next best thing" was a commission, not him as an artist.

This is clearly what was written in your response...free of malice or malicious intent.  Apparently, this artist* did not receive enough hugs from his mother as a child.
What gives this artist the right to go off on an egomaniacal diatribe towards a person who sincerely asked him for a commission because he likes his work? 

*must be related to Michael Golden

[Funnybooks]

On 5/28/2023 at 6:01 AM, The Voord said:

No, just trying to look at it from both sides.

yes...the right side and then the artist side

[The Voord]

On 5/28/2023 at 12:35 PM, Funnybooks said:

yes...the right side and then the artist side

Well, the OP started this thread with the title, 'How to lose Commission Requests and Alienate People' which kind of suggests to me that he knew he was on shaky ground and was prepared for flak.  

I'm on no-one's side . . . I don't know the OP and the identity of the artist is a complete mystery to me.

I think the OP could have been a bit more tactful in his request . . . yeah, artists can be sensitive souls . . . and can only put myself in the artist's shoes.  Would I have been thrilled to receive Barney's communication (and the way it was worded)?  Probably not.

You have a different take.  Good for you.  It's all opinion-based . . . and the OP was interested in feedback.  He got it, and he can draw his own conclusions.

[tth2]

On 5/28/2023 at 4:00 AM, barneythecantankerous said:

Seriously, brutally honest opinions welcome.

[Dr. Balls]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:36 PM, tth2 said:

How would you like to get this job offer:

"We're offering you this job because our first 5 candidates turned us down and while we don't think you're really qualified, we desperately need a warm body and you're the next best thing." 

Anyone with a scrap of ambition or confidence would take the job and show them that they were the best choice despite being picked last. I know it sounds like something from a motivational poster, but that right there is what's wrong with 95% of everyone: taking more time to whine about a perceived slight than taking the initiative and excelling. It's a job. Take it and perform it like a professional.

[The Voord]

On 5/28/2023 at 3:04 PM, Dr. Balls said:

Anyone with a scrap of ambition or confidence would take the job and show them that they were the best choice despite being picked last. I know it sounds like something from a motivational poster, but that right there is what's wrong with 95% of everyone: taking more time to whine about a perceived slight than taking the initiative and excelling. It's a job. Take it and perform it like a professional.

The artist's already got a job.  What was being offered to him was some side-work that, from the sound of it, he doesn't really need . . . or want.

Edited May 28, 2023 by The Voord

[Dr. Balls]

On 5/28/2023 at 8:20 AM, The Voord said:

The artist's already got a job.  What was being offered to him was some side-work that, from the sound of it, he doesn't really need . . . or want.

I was talking about tth2s example he set forth about taking a random job offer (of any job). As for the commission, I agree - it sounds like he doesn't need it or want it, which is something he just needed to keep to himself.

Edited May 28, 2023 by Dr. Balls

[The Voord]

On 5/28/2023 at 3:22 PM, Dr. Balls said:

I was talking about tth2s example he set forth about taking a random job offer (of any job). As for the commission, I agree - it sounds like he doesn't need it or want it, which is something he just needed to keep to himself.

Maybe Tim was talking about a Kitchen Porter's job in his analogy?