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[Kitsune-sama]

Name of Commissioner: Lystrade

Website/C.com gallery: http://www.cosplay.com/gallery/68025/ (this is the gallery for the costume in question)

Character commissioned and series/video game: Kite from .hack games. It included the whole costume itself, plus the hat, wig, gloves, one of the daggers, and shoes.

Links to picture(s) of your commissioned item: http://www.cosplay.com/gallery/68025/

Timeline: I bought and paid for it on April 10th. And I've yet to see any sign of it.

Describe your Experience: I was going through a big .hack desire back in May and April, and I wanted to cosplay Kite. So I was looking around the Marketplace here on Cosplay.com, and I found the ad. (Also, the ad has been deleted, I just checked today). It was a Best Offer ad, so I bid $115 + $7 to equal about $122 for the whole thing. She had to go on a trip, so I paid right away on the 10th of April. I think it must've been either three weeks or a month later that I contacted her again, asking where the costume was. She said that the Paypal payment had just cleared, and I checked the records recently, and it cleared way before she said it did. She gave me a reassuring e-mail, saying that it had been shipped two days prior, and would be there soon. Well, the weeks went by, and no sign of the costume what so ever. I e-mailed her June 22nd, saying that I'd like my money, (all $122 of it) refunded, and if the costume ever came, I'd return it right away. So, she replied the next day, totally baffled by the situation and she said she'd send the payment back within two days. And I haven't heard from her since...

Pros: At this point, there are none =(

Cons:The communication was shaky at best, and I was given no real shipping confirmation or label. Plus, the whole return of money is taking forever, that is, if it is even being returned...

Comments: What can I say, there's just the whole atmosphere of "Haha, you got ripped off" stinking off this case. Honestly, to me, I feel cheated. She did say that she needed money right away for a convention that was coming up, so I think she took the money and ran. =/ Maybe that's why she can't pay it back... But, here I'm just assuming, yet I've gotten things nearly overnight for less shipping than I paid... even the Post Office said it was rather suspicious since all this time has passed. She used a Paypal account that wasn't her own, or so the real owner says. The person who had the account was very rude and said I'd only be refunded any money if Lystrade saw fit to do so.

The very last forum post of Lystrade was the day I sent my money.


UPDATE:
I have proof of all the interactions!!
I've highlighted the dates of the e-mails. The last few e-mails are far apart because there was no reply from her.


When I paid her on April 9th
here

I wrote a follow up e-mail on May 1st
here

Shown because of the time frame. I paid with the money directly in Paypal and it took... almost a month to clear? Suspicious...
here

Another follow-up e-mail on May 22nd, which was replied to with a generic, "okay, I'll send it" sort of message
here

June 22nd, next follow up e-mail. I had been out of town, and when I got back, there was still nothing. No reply to this e-mail until the 8th of July.
here

Finally, I get a reply. Notice the whole "within the next 2 days" line again. Also, the whole, "innocent" act. This is also the last e-mail reply I've gotten from her.
here

I had to finally track her Myspace down to contact her.
here
Here's her promising to send the payment. And I haven't had contact with her sense. Again with that, shocked, surprised, innocent attitude.

Final Grade: F------ x 10. HORRIBLE little thief ='(

[Kanira]

Updated :>

[hehlow]

Originally Posted by Kitsune-sama

Name of Commissioner: Lystrade

::snip::

Final Grade: F (=/ Not cool, not cool... There might be a change in grade if anything is resolved, but the highest I'll give her will be in the D range...)

awww gosh darn. I could've sworn that ladies name was familiar. Just a couple days ago on the Costume Commissioners NOT to go to for a commission! thread:
http://www.cosplay.com/showpost.php?...postcount=1379

Sorry for your bad experience :-\.

As a word of advice for everyone, people should not only look here, but that forum, and just do a general google search of the commissioner they might be interested in before it's too late/paying.

Edit: Hmmm. It looks like you payed before the post was put up though.... =P

[Kitsune-sama]

Originally Posted by hehlow

awww gosh darn. I could've sworn that ladies name was familiar. Just a couple days ago on the Costume Commissioners NOT to go to for a commission! thread:
http://www.cosplay.com/showpost.php?...postcount=1379

Sorry for your bad experience :-\.

As a word of advice for everyone, people should not only look here, but that forum, and just do a general google search of the commissioner they might be interested in before it's too late/paying.

Edit: Hmmm. It looks like you payed before the post was put up though.... =P

>=/ G'dammit, I KNEW it!! I'm so peeved now... and there was some idiotic message on Paypal saying that "it wasn't a type of transaction that could be disputed or made into a claim" or something screwy like that...

Dx I dunno what to do now, any help?

[Illexxxi]

Name of Commissioner: Sumirehana013/Purple Doll Commission

Website/C.com gallery: http://www.cosplay.com/member/41253/ C.Com Profile
http://www.cosplay.com/marketplace/member.php?uid=41253 C.Com Marketplace Profile
http://purpledoll.co.nr/ Her Website [It hasn't been updated, but as far as I know, she's still taking commissions]

Character commissioned and series/video game: Matt's Vest From Death Note

Links to picture(s) of your commissioned item: Will be put up after MetroCon

Timeline (how long your order took to process): She contacted me May 23rd. I sent the first payment June 21st. The vest was finished July 7th and shipped out the next day. I recieved it July 10th [yesterday]

Describe your Experience: I put up an ad in the marketplace for someone to make me Matt's vest from Death Note in time for Otakon. She contacted me the same day and gave me a price of $70 dollars total to make it, $40 for materials and $30 for shipping. After researching, I consented.

The first payment of $40 wasn't sent until June 21st due to cash flow problems, but I sent it. I also gave them a new deadline of July 18th, since my plans changed and I was going to go to MetroCon, a local convention, instead of Otakon. She told me it was no big deal and it would be done in a week or two.

On July 7th, She contacted me and told me that my vest was finished. After sending me pictures of it, I was a little worried because it looked big in the picture, but I sent $38 dollars for shipping in order for it to get here by the 18th, which is next week. I was a little peeved about the extra money, but it could've been more, so I was just happy that it was $8 dollars more.

I recieved my vest July 10th [yesterday] and it's better than I expected. She used a sort of faux fur for the parts of the vest, which is kind of flyaway, but perfect. It's designed great, exactly like the pictures I gave her. The neck part of it was a bit small, but it's probably my fault for not measuring it. One or two of the faux fur strips aren't sewn on the bottom, but it's really nothing and shouldn't deduct any points.

Pros: GREAT communication, usually replies within 24 hours and is pretty good for an overseas commissioner [since she lives in the Philippines], Pretty good price overall for the work. I'm impressed.

Cons: She sometimes didn't reply to my emails, so I had to send them again (She told me that it was due to her shaky internet, which is usually a problem, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt), Didn't send photos until it was finished (said it was at her partner's house, but that's not a HUGE problem to me).

Comments: Overall, I'm pretty happy with what I got from Sumi [AKA Stephanie.] I know she's had some other people she made costumes for and as far as I read, they seem pretty happy. She assured me when I was worried that I would get scammed (After reading reviews on here) that she had been scammed twice before and that she would NEVER do that to someone and from what I see, I trust her.

I Will DEFINITELY commission from her again. n.n

Final Grade: A+

[Illexxxi]

Name of Merchant: CosWorx

Website: http://www.cosworx.com

Item purchased (please include quantity): Monica in Color 130- Red Auburn

Links to picture(s) of your received item: http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...l/DSCF0011.jpg
Timeline (how long your order took to process): Processed on June 21st, Sent out by CosWorx June 25th, arrived 2-3 days later

Describe your Experience: Pretty good overall. No problems, no complaints

Pros: Shipping was super fast, especially since I live in Florida, so I didn't expect it for 4-5 days at least. The wig was in great shape and just what I ordered, Easy to cut.

Cons: The color that I ordered was darker than what I anticipated, but it's no big deal, since it'll be light out and in the Convention Center where MetroCon will be held.

Comments: I know people have had HORRIBLE experiences with CosWorx, but I've ordered from them twice and I haven't had a problem yet. -knocks on wood-

Final Grade: A

[Kanira]

Alas, I forgot to mention we're updated

[MochaValentino]

Cheetos (cosplay.com name)

website approaching-infinity.net

costume commissioned: Ranmaru Mori (Samurai Warriors 2)

Pics: Ranmaru Mori costume gallery

full costume:

grey kimino top
grey shorts
white datejime with ribbon
black undershirt with armor
purple vest with gold design
black belt with hanging armor plates
dyed purple drape top
decorated obi
yellow rope obijime
leg armor
gradiet-dyed leg warmers

price: $215



She was a real pleasure to deal with ^_^ she responds very quickly,and is very nice with questions. the price was very reasonable, considering all she made, and she made it in a little over a month. she kept me updated all the way, and sent me progress pics thoughout.

it shipped to me in two days, and she included care instructions and layering instructions. everything fit according to the measurements i provided, and was comfortable.

everything was well made, i couldn't be happier with the entire experience ^_^

Grade: A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Elycium]

Name of Commissioner: Twilight Wig Commissions

Website/C.com gallery: http://www.seeingblind.net/twilightwigs/

Character commissioned and series/video game: Skies of Arcadia Clara wig.

Links to picture(s) of your commissioned item:
reference: http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...elds/clara.jpg

wig:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_1096.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_1097.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_1099.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_1100.jpg

Timeline: Ordered late April / Early June. Arrived: July 16th (exactly when she said it would be coming in)

Describe your Experience. Pros, Cons, Comments: She was very quick to get back to me with a quote, and listed everything that she charged for, so it was nice to see why things cost as much as they did. She kept in decent contact. If I ever needed to contact her about anything she got back to me within 24 hours. She shipped quickly and the wig arrived in excellent condition.

I would deffinately recommend.

Final Grade: A

[dizzylizzy]

Name of Merchant: CosWorx

Website: http://www.cosworx.com

Item purchased (please include quantity): Lexy, 144 Weft Extensions, and Color Ring

Links to picture(s) of your received item:
http://www.cosworx.com/product.php?p...at=2446&page=1
http://www.cosworx.com/product.php?p...at=2495&page=1
http://www.cosworx.com/product.php?p...at=2453&page=1

Timeline (how long your order took to process): Ordered on July 1st. Arrived on July 10th.

Describe your Experience: I was excited to see wefts now in stock. So, this is a first time ordering those. They came to me nice and neat and matched the wig I had previously ordered.

Pros: Take paypal.

Cons: None.

Comments: Continually order wigs from them with no issues.

Final Grade: A+

[Kanira]

Updated ^^

[Fénicia]

I cannot open this site (http://www.seeingblind.net/twilightwigs/) becourse it has a virus on it.

[NekoMimiChan]

Name of Commissioner: Cosplus
Website/C.com gallery: http://cosplus-shop.ocnk.net/
Character commissioned and series/video game: Pia Carrot waitress uniform - Floral Mint Type
Links to picture(s) of your commissioned item: Coming Soon!
Timeline (how long your order took to process): From payment to arrival, about 1 month.
Pros: They were quick with responding to my e-mails and questions, and quick with the delivery of the item. Their prices were OK - cheaper than having it commissioned but more expensive than eBay. I do like that the bottom is completely ebroidered and they included the stockings - nice little touches that sold the costume to me.
Cons: Their were some descrepancies between the photo on their webpage and the item that I received - nothing too major, but still some things that I had to alter. The white part in the front was 2x as long as the references and their own photos. The pin they provided was - for lack of a better word - ghetto. The graphic was very fuzzy, obviously ripped off of somewhere. The arm warmers are very large and have an annoying rubberband to keep them up which is cutting off the circulation to my arms. The sizing was off by A LOT! I ordered a size smaller than me - I just made the top cut off for the provided measurements. Even then the costume was pretty large on me. But I took it to the dry cleaners and despite a language barrier they made it a little more fitted and changed some of the inaccuracies for $10.
Comments: I'm pretty sure these are all pre-made costumes. The quality of the fabric is passable, and the construction is solid for the most part. If you are thinking about buying from them order at least a size smaller. If you need something in a pinch, I recommend them. But if you have extra time and money, go with a traditional commissioner.
Final Grade: C+

[dizzylizzy]

Originally Posted by Fénicia

I cannot open this site (http://www.seeingblind.net/twilightwigs/) becourse it has a virus on it.

EDIT: It's all better!!! : D

[Cagalli Kasshu]

Name of Commissioner: mayurimoon (Southern Moon Creations)

Website/C.com gallery: http://www.freewebs.com/southernmooncreations/index.htm

Character commissioned and series/video game: Sailor Jupiter's normal, eternal and super brooches, earrings, tiara, live action belt, Sailor Neptune's normal and Super brooches, Sailor Star Earrings, Sailor Cosmos lower earrings, Etna earrings (not pictured because they're a gift for a friend =) )

Links to picture(s) of your commissioned item: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/1622371/ (all of them (L) )

Describe your Experience: Great. I was organizing a PGSM group with my friends, and we decided to commision she our accesories because here resin is too expensive and nobody knowed how to make good jewels. Finally, my friends quitted from the project, but i was sure about my order, so i placed it anyway. When i already paid, two of my friends joined again, and i talked to Jolean if she could merge the two orders. My friends sent me the money too late, and she asked two times about sending the order i already paid. Finally, i said to she that please send them anyway, and that i will contact her later for my friend's order.
I recieved my box today. Sadly, the customer officers of my country postal service (Chile) opened it and broke up my Jupiter belt and some of the earrings, but is nothing that i couldn't fix with some paint and glue and pliers.

The brooches are so shiny and clear, i'm completely in love of the eternal one in specific. I don't know why but i recieved the Venus Love Me Chain too, that was on my original order but not in "mine". Anyway, it's beautiful crafted. The earrings are lovely and the tiara is very stable and comfy, thing that i never experimented before with a SM tiara. The flower on the transluscent ball of Jupiter's belt is the same shading of the one that Mew Azama weared on the live action.

Final Grade: A+. Great commisioner to go and i will DEFINETELY buy again from she. I had a great experience as a customer with Jolean, very fluent transaction and comunication.