How long is too long?

[tuxjar]

Back in September I commissioned a couple videos from a model. It's someone I've done business with before and was very satisfied.

At around the four month period I contacted them for an update to see if it was too late for a costume modification. Mid-February the new costume piece goes out. According to Amazon it arrives.

End of March I send an email. No reply. Friday I sent an email asking for an update and a partial refund if no progress has been made. So far no reply.

My questions: How long should I wait before sending another email? Is sixth months too long to wait? (I've commissioned a few videos and three months is the longest I waited before this.) Does outing the offender ever do any good?

I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do. Part of me says to just write it off as the cost of doing business online, but another part hopes I'm just being impatient.

[TIEnTEEZ]

You've been ripped off, dude. 6 months is insane.

I always ask for an estimate when I commission a custom, so at least I have some kind of realistic expectation and so does the producer. And my video delivery has been delayed MANY MANY times - in fact, it's the norm rather than the exception. But as soon as that deadline comes around, I always e-mail for an update. After that, I will wait about a week and try again. Because shit happens, people go on vacation or have problems unexpectedly come up or whatever. So I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. But I've been ripped off a lot and when you don't get an e-mail response after a couple of weeks, you might as well give up on ever getting your money or your video.

But after the second or third week, I start looking into other options. I understand that PayPal has gotten better at reversing charges - especially if the person you are claiming against doesn't bother to respond when PayPal tries to contact them. But I think the limit is 6 months.

After that, the only thing you can really do is go online to every board you can find and tell people about your experience and warn them never to send the thief who ripped you off any more money.

It's amazing to me how easy it is for performers to rip people off with impunity. If I knew more about web programming and web site management, I'd love to start a web site for the definitive collection of custom video reviews. I started a blog on the subject a while back after one particularly nasty ripoff, but I just don't really have the time to maintain it properly.

[tuxjar]

But I think the limit is 6 months.

My problem with these commissions is that I sent the money as a gift, which I won't be doing again. I'll tack on an extra $10 to cover fees, but sending money as a gift prevents you from filing a complaint down the road.

I suspect my money is gone, but I'm going to wait until the end of the month before publicly saying anything else. It's a shame too because I've had a really good experience with her in the past.

Thanks for the reply.

[TIEnTEEZ]

Sorry to hear that. I'm curious to know who it was. I was ripped off recently by a producer who was a frequent visitor and poster on this very forum. I've seen her criticize other producers for irresponsible behavior on several occasions. So I was pretty sure she was reliable. Live and learn.

[tuxjar]

Sent you a PM.

I'm strongly reconsidering my waiting stance. It'd be nice to let people know before anyone else gets taken in.

[TIEnTEEZ]

Sent you a PM.

I'm strongly reconsidering my waiting stance. It'd be nice to let people know before anyone else gets taken in.

I tried to reply to your PM, but apparently you have disabled receiving PMs on your account. But the person who ripped me off is the same one who ripped you off. And we are not alone, either. Others have told me the same thing.

[tuxjar]

I tried to reply to your PM, but apparently you have disabled receiving PMs on your account. But the person who ripped me off is the same one who ripped you off. And we are not alone, either. Others have told me the same thing.

Oops. PM'ing turned on.

Dang, man. I'm sorry to hear it. Sorry to hear anyone ripped you off, but especially sorry to hear you got scammed by her too.

Money aside, the real rub of it is that a year ago in EvilBilly's thread I went so far as to recommend her. If only I had a time machine.

[Heroine Addict]

This thread really needs to be in the Lounge where more people can see it. If we're all talking about the same producer, I (and a writing partner) waited just under 6 months before opening a dispute with PayPal. They found in my favor and refunded the money. But this can only be done within six months.

My writing partner had previously received good service from the same producer and would probably have dealt with her again if she had delivered the goods this time. No chance of that now.

But I think the limit is 6 months.

My problem with these commissions is that I sent the money as a gift, which I won't be doing again. I'll tack on an extra $10 to cover fees, but sending money as a gift prevents you from filing a complaint down the road.

I suspect my money is gone, but I'm going to wait until the end of the month before publicly saying anything else. It's a shame too because I've had a really good experience with her in the past.

Thanks for the reply.

I seem to recall sending my payment for goods/services. Sending money as a "gift" is risky as there's no acknowledgement of a business transaction. Did the producer specifically request a "gift" payment? She was pretty vague with me, so I chose goods/services as the best way to go.

[JMH Gotham]

I'm pretty sure this is the same producer that got me as well. I sent my money as good's and service but paypal never refunded me when I raised a dispute. I f you sent it s a gift you will not get it back probably.


I have tired to take the high road and not do the Ole "name and shame" sense my real name appeared on the transactions and I feared the producer may post it as retaliation. Plus sense I had a writing partner my actions could effect him as well.

[Heroine Addict]

Sorry to hear that PayPal haven't refunded you yet. Did they give a reason?

And to those who sent payment as a "gift", did the producer actually request payment in this manner? If so, this is essentially the same as a tradesperson insisting on cash because they're not putting your transaction through the books.

[viking]

Who are you talking about?

[TIEnTEEZ]

I've had many producers tell me that PayPal is not adult-industry friendly. And that if you use PayPal to receive payments for adult services (such as porn), that PayPal will cancel your account. So I've been asked many time to send payment as a gift and not to put any explanation in the comments. I don't have any reason to think that this is not true, but now I am wondering if there is another reason, which is to prevent disputes.

[Heroine Addict]

Another consideration is that a gift is tax-free. Without making any specific allegations against anyone here, such a method could potentially be used to pocket 100% of the custom fee without putting it through the business as a taxable transaction.

[TIEnTEEZ]

I'm not sure that matters. Technically speaking, the method you use via PayPal is not relevant to whether or not you actually report the money as income or pay taxes on it. Unless PayPal reports payments to the IRS - which seems unlikely to me.

Anyway, I can kinda see how it might make sense even for a legitimate producer to want to receive the money as gift and prevent unscrupulous clients from cancelling payment after receiving their custom videos. From what I hear, custom producers have to deal with a lot of sleazy lowlifes who would jump at the chance to do that. So I can sympathize with them on that score.

There's no 100% safe way to order a custom, IMO. You're always taking a risk. This latest experience marks the third time (and the largest amount of money) I've been burned.

Has anyone tried any of these new custom sites that are popping up like customs4u? iwantclips also just opened up a custom site called iwantcustomclips.com, as well. I never used these, because I always want to contact the producer/performer directly and have them review my script and discuss the details before I commit to payment, and those sites want you to pay up front. I can't imagine just sending a script or a short description and paying for it completely in the dark and just hoping that the performer gets it right or that they don't leave stuff out because it's outside their limitations. But I think they do offer some kind of guarantee that they will reimburse you if you don't receive your video on time.

[tuxjar]

This thread really needs to be in the Lounge where more people can see it.

I wasn't sure where to post it...

I seem to recall sending my payment for goods/services. Sending money as a "gift" is risky as there's no acknowledgement of a business transaction. Did the producer specifically request a "gift" payment? She was pretty vague with me, so I chose goods/services as the best way to go.

I checked my emails and she did not ask for gift for those, so that's on solely me.

[Heroine Addict]

I'm not sure that matters. Technically speaking, the method you use via PayPal is not relevant to whether or not you actually report the money as income or pay taxes on it. Unless PayPal reports payments to the IRS - which seems unlikely to me.

I guess it's like handing over a wad of cash to a tradesman who doesn't give you a receipt. There's no record of a business transaction, so you're placing a lot of trust in that person to be legitimate.

Anyway, I can kinda see how it might make sense even for a legitimate producer to want to receive the money as gift and prevent unscrupulous clients from cancelling payment after receiving their custom videos. From what I hear, custom producers have to deal with a lot of sleazy lowlifes who would jump at the chance to do that. So I can sympathize with them on that score.

There's no 100% safe way to order a custom, IMO. You're always taking a risk. This latest experience marks the third time (and the largest amount of money) I've been burned.

Do any studios just process your credit card and issue a receipt? It just seems ridiculous that getting a bespoke video made requires the Internet equivalent of handing over a bag of money to a guy in a car park.

Has anyone tried any of these new custom sites that are popping up like customs4u? iwantclips also just opened up a custom site called iwantcustomclips.com, as well. I never used these, because I always want to contact the producer/performer directly and have them review my script and discuss the details before I commit to payment, and those sites want you to pay up front. I can't imagine just sending a script or a short description and paying for it completely in the dark and just hoping that the performer gets it right or that they don't leave stuff out because it's outside their limitations. But I think they do offer some kind of guarantee that they will reimburse you if you don't receive your video on time.

Those sites seem designed for very basic requirements. If you want a certain model to give JOI while wearing her pantyhose and panties pulled down around her ankles, that seems doable. But they don't appear to have the facilities to discuss detailed storyline and costume requests.

[tuxjar]

Just an update: I have heard from this producer/model. So I'm not going forward until I see where these emails lead.

I'd love a resolution, but I'm not being naive.

[Heroine Addict]

Just an update: I have heard from this producer/model. So I'm not going forward until I see where these emails lead.

I'd love a resolution, but I'm not being naive.

Well, she was reliable at one time. So, hopefully, you'll get something.

One thing that really comes across is that the person who writes the emails is nothing like the person who used to post under the same name on this forum. I mean that literally. They seem to be two completely different people.

[TIEnTEEZ]

Really? You heard from her? She's been ignoring my e-mails for 6 months! That really pisses me off.

[tuxjar]

Well, she was reliable at one time. So, hopefully, you'll get something.

I will keep the board appraised.

Really? You heard from her? She's been ignoring my e-mails for 6 months! That really pisses me off.

Did you try using a second address to bypass email filters? I sent three emails over a short period, from two addresses, and finally got a reply on the last email from the original address.

[TIEnTEEZ]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. After she failed to respond to my original e-mail, I sent her an e-mail from another address and she replied - twice. BTW... she offered me a refund on BOTH of my e-mail addresses and never delivered it. Every time she offered it and I said yes, she vanished and I never heard from her again.

Quite frankly, if she's taking people's money and doing business on the internet and is missing e-mails because she's not checking her spam folder, she really has no business doing business on the internet in the first place.

I've been biding my time, just in case this whole thing wasn't her fault and maybe she was lying in the hospital somewhere, but if you're telling me she's responding to your e-mails and not mine, then I'm going to post the whole story and rip her a new one on every forum and review site I can find. There's no excuses any more.

[Heroine Addict]

My email replies stopped when I asked for a refund too. She strung me along for quite a while, though. It got to the point where my video was allegedly shot, edited and being uploaded before the excuses became unsustainable and my patience ran out.

As for lying in a hospital somewhere, lying on a cruise ship is more accurate.

[tuxjar]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.

Deep down I figured you had. Sorry if it came across otherwise.

So far three emails today. One to say she didn't get an email. One to say a shoot was scheduled for next month. One to say one video was already shot but she couldn't upload it. No refund offers, though.

In my last reply I asked for a screenshot of the existing video, so far nothing back.

[Heroine Addict]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.

Deep down I figured you had. Sorry if it came across otherwise.

So far three emails today. One to say she didn't get an email. One to say a shoot was scheduled for next month. One to say one video was already shot but she couldn't upload it. No refund offers, though.

In my last reply I asked for a screenshot of the existing video, so far nothing back.

That's exactly what I requested. It would take her literally 10 seconds to grab an image from a video that's already loaded on her computer. Yet, strangely, she couldn't upload a single frame.

[TIEnTEEZ]

Well, I'm done waiting. I'm going to post my whole story and a very public warning before she rips off anyone else.

[tuxjar]

That's exactly what I requested. It would take her literally 10 seconds to grab an image from a video that's already loaded on her computer. Yet, strangely, she couldn't upload a single frame.

It's really...I don't know if "sad" is the right word...to see someone who was really pretty good about turn around times just stop.

Your statement about a different typist rings very true. If that were the case, if she's not working with a hypothetical person who was her business partner and is struggling to reorient, I'd be content to wait indefinitely. It's the combination of the sum of money and the lack of communication that irritates me. Assuming the video has been shot, a simple one sentence email that it was done would have gone a long, long way.

Well, I'm done waiting. I'm going to post my whole story and a very public warning before she rips off anyone else.

Feel free to link to this thread. I'll share what happens as best I can, whatever the outcome. IF my videos come through, great, but after six months I'm withdrawing the recommendation I made last year. (And if my "punishment" for that is to not get the completed videos, it only makes my point.)

[tuxjar]

The other thread is locked, but in the name of fairness I wanted to share this:



That appears to be from the videos I commissioned. Perhaps the long wait has been a bandwidth/transition issue. I hold out hope anyway, and will make sure to let the board know how this turns out.

[TIEnTEEZ]

I wish you good luck, but I wouldn't hold my breath. She's still not answering any of my e-mails or my attempts to contact her through this forum, nor any of the half-dozen folks in the industry who have tried to tell her there's a problem.

[tuxjar]

Got one of them today.

[Heroine Addict]

Interesting. What did Ashley have to say for herself when she sent you the link?

[tuxjar]

Interesting. What did Ashley have to say for herself when she sent you the link?

Paraphrasing but essentially, "Here go. Next is on the way."

[tallyho]

Any acknowledgement of the poor customer service, and a remote hint at an apology?