Attention Chris Howes

[uscmhicks]

Not sure if i've ever told you but your signature is amazing! Perfect pieces from awesome movies.

thanks man.
I usually change them every week out of bordem but I like this one enough to keep for now...
Pretty much all my fave movies there.

 

[Spartan Rex]

Geez, saw this coming down Main St....
What did ya'll think was going to happen with that glut of "The official Chris Howes insert desired sculpt commission thread" BS.
I dont mean to rub anyones nose in it but seems to be an on going theme in these boards in particular.

 

[uscmhicks]

I dont mean to rub anyones nose in it but seems to be an on going theme in these boards in particular.

How do you mean ?. With just Chris or with other people ?.

 

[JacktheRipper]

Artists can be some quirky people, but that doesn't excuse you from being a bad business person. Part of being in business is being able to communicate with your customers. For many, a simple periodic update would go along way. You'll still have customers who will complain, but that's part of doing business. Don't get me wrong those customers may have reasons to complain; like having to wait more than six months.
What I don't understand is why not make the piece first then offer it up to recasting?
I guess it's time lost if it doesn't sell, but hey you don't have the headache of people on your ass all the time. You might still have people on you 'cause you didn't send them out quick enough.

 

[DarkArtist81]

I know that as a fellow customizer... I felt like I saw this crash coming somewhere down the line. Nobody can keep up that kind of momentum for that long. Once he had 15 upcoming projects, with people paying up front for sculpts that were not even in development.... And waiting months and months to see sculpt progress... I knew it was going to have to come to a head eventually.

With all the crap that has happened to Les and I, it really was inevitable that Chris would get there too.

But he really does need to come in here and reassure his fans and customers, they deserve to know what's going on. If he can't get back to all of them by email or PM (I know how daunting that can get), just update in this thread or another. But some sort of update is definitely needed, even if it's just trivial.

 

[Spartan Rex]

How do you mean ?. With just Chris or with other people ?.

It just seemed like common sense for one individual not to be able all to handle all these commissions at once especially when he's got unsatisfied customers from Oct. ....and yes I am referring to others.

It looks like a two party problem: The artist that bites off more than they can chew for a quick pay day and his or her fan enablers.

 

[uscmhicks]

I think just one update here about all the projects would probably answer half of the emails Chris has recieved too.

 

[dragonsleeper]

I don't see the point involving Kuato when he has nothing to do with these projects. And I'm not worried about CHowes at all. I can wait.

 

[Studio49]

There was no way to see this coming in many of our cases. At the time I pre-paid for the two projects I am waiting on, there were only three or four projects in the works. Chris was still posting updates, and photos of the work he was completing. Shortly after that he started the Celebriducks updates and the commission updates slowed to nothing, then the glut of commission threads began. Sorry, but I am new to this whole market, so I had no prior experience with Andgor or other customizers who have fallen off the wagon.

I have been told that Chris is still communicative with one group of people. That is, people who want to order something. This infuriates me. For anyone saying he might be on vacation, I would say letting us know that might have been smart. But this all started to go downhill a month ago or more. Who takes a month long vacation? I agree with what an earlier poster said...why is it that every customizer gets hit with family trouble and computer problems? I think a curse must be involved. I don't ever want to become a customizer.

I have been waiting a lot less time than some of you other people, and I haven't been trying to contact Chris long. I sent him an email yesterday, and it still hasn't bounced back, so I assume he got it. At this rate I feel that Chris has a matter of days, not weeks, to make contact and post all the photos he has of projects that he has started. If this doesn't happen I will be out for good. I want him to feel good about coming here, and I want him to figure a way out of this mess for his sake and ours.

So come on Chris, no apologies are necessary. Just start a thread with an estimated timeline for completion, post some photos and prepare to feel the love again. Or don't, and wait for the inevitable.

 

[MadCow]

I would think its because usually the artists aren't financially always able to fund the porject unless payment is given. Maybe even half the payment isn't enough sometimes.
I agree though , I'm more skeptical now to pay up front unless its someone I completely trust.

I don't disagree, however repaints should not be that much... time and skill more thananything.

Sculpts... you should have completed your sample and be ready to roll with product before requesting funds. If you will not back a project with your own funds, why must we risk it and end up in situations like this ? I for one do not like the idea and have since shyed away from Chris' threads and projects.

Look at Josh or Les for example, they fall behind but at least they communicate with their clientele, to keep them posted. Whats so hard about that?

I tend to find it interesting how much communication there is up front and then it hits the fan.

I know life can come into play, but we all frequent the boards as life allows us the chance and technology is in our favor. That cannot be an excuse especially when funds are involved.

Hence my love of the relationship Josh and Les have with us, open frank communication. Good or bad. For that I will forever be a fan.

I know that as a fellow customizer... I felt like I saw this crash coming somewhere down the line. Nobody can keep up that kind of momentum for that long. Once he had 15 upcoming projects, with people paying up front for sculpts that were not even in development.... And waiting months and months to see sculpt progress... I knew it was going to have to come to a head eventually.

With all the crap that has happened to Les and I, it really was inevitable that Chris would get there too.

But he really does need to come in here and reassure his fans and customers, they deserve to know what's going on. If he can't get back to all of them by email or PM (I know how daunting that can get), just update in this thread or another. But some sort of update is definitely needed, even if it's just trivial.

Amen.

 

[Studio49]

I don't see the point involving Kuato when he has nothing to do with these projects. And I'm not worried about CHowes at all. I can wait.

It's not about waiting.

If I take $100 of your money, and promise to give you $100 of goods, and I keep you updated with my progress... that is business.

If I take $100 of your money, and promise to give you $100 of goods, and I never talk to you again...that is theft.

The only thing that can turn theft into business is actually delivering the product you promised, whether that be in hand or in progress photos or both.

At this point Chris is a busy businessman. The longer we go without communication...well...you know where that road goes.

 

[pixletwin]

Saw this thread coming down the line months and months ago didn't we?

 

[Shropt]

Saw this thread coming down the line months and months ago didn't we?

I did and I'm sure I even posted in one of his threads about this exact problem.

 

[uscmhicks]

I have to be honest. I kind of sensed something like this would happen to even before I ordered too. I guess I'm an idiot.

 

[Bannister]

I have to be honest. I kind of sensed something like this would happen to even before I ordered too. I guess I'm an idiot.

 

[uscmhicks]

I was asking for that.
I just got told off by GI Joe.

 

[Jen]

I signed on for a Hunter S. Thompson - which we never put any money towards...and truthfully will probably never actually materialize. I knew it was mostly wishful thinking...considering how many projects Chris had already taken on.

I am glad we never sent money though....if this thing happens it probably won't be for at least a year, the way things seem to going right now.

 

[Bannister]

I signed on for a Hunter S. Thompson - which we never put any money towards...and truthfully will probably never actually materialize. I knew it was mostly wishful thinking...considering how many projects Chris had already taken on.

I am glad we never sent money though....if this thing happens it probably won't be for at least a year, the way things seem to going right now.

You just need to stay away from people named Chris altogether.

 

[Jen]

You just need to stay away from people named Chris altogether.

You are SO RIGHT about that.

 

[abake]

So Chris is still MIA?