Problems finding a commission...

[shinigamil5l3]

Hi!
     I have been trying for the last few months to get a commission going that I do not have the time or skill for yet and been having massive problems in at least getting a finger point in the right direction.

So here goes I am going to a con in april 9-11 and I am supposed to dress as Von Pinn ( Von Pinn )

Comments

[lux_alexander]

I'm really afraid you're not going to find anyone willing to make you up an outfit for cookies.

You also run the risk of actually insulting some of these clothiers by suggesting it - many of them make their living this way.

Also, you should stipulate whether or not this popcorn tin of cookies (admittedly that is a large amount of cookies) would also be expected to cover the cost of materials.

[aubergine_pilot]

I'd read this with the assumption that the cookies would be there to sweeten the deal, not as sole payment - you're quite right. Food as sole payment for an outfit that detailed is... not going to go over well.

[lux_alexander]

I hope your reading is correct frankly - by your reading it might work - any costumier who is being paid to make a garment would be happy to receive payment and cookies, I wouldn't be surprised if one took the cookies as payment for the rush processing of the job, but never as the whole payment.

[aubergine_pilot]

I try to think the best of people, when I can. I can see a close friend taking food in exchange for a costume - but then, my friends who take commissions are all starving college students who would still expect me to cover the cost of materials...

[lux_alexander]

My girlfriend refuses to let me pay for my (increasingly complex) commissions, but I still cover the cost of all materials.

[aubergine_pilot]

That's pretty much common courtesy, I think - if it comes down to my own girlfriend having to make a costume for me, I'd definitely do the same! There probably would also be cookies involved at some point.

[lux_alexander]

cookies, backrubs, dinners, movies, help moving heavy object, never mind acting as their personal billboard - nothing, it should be said, that I wouldn't willingly do for her already. Barter with one's SO is much more common and much more complicated, although I've always felt it was all just summed up by the term "relationship."

[aubergine_pilot]

Indeed it is. ♥ Though would anyone really have it any other way?

[lux_alexander]

Absolutely not.

[origamitiger]

A serious commission bid would have a budget as well as the cookies, I would have thought.

[lux_alexander]

Would you, in a purely hypothetical situation, take the cookies as a small rush payment (or part thereof) independent of the payment for the actual garment?

This question is purely to indulge my curiosity about the viability of extending any form of cookie bartering system into capitalism, even if only in supplemental payment capacities.

[jetspeaks]

I think it depends on the cookies. :D

[lux_alexander]

Aha! Inter-currency exchange rates within the cookie barter system! Fascinating!

[origamitiger]

To be blunt if cookies were offered with no other discussion of money I would assume I am going to be stiffed. Now, if a tip was cookies and homemade ones I would be quite pleased.

[aubergine_pilot]

Having seen the OP's previous inquiry in corsetry - I think she may be seeking to find a costumer willing to give an estimate based on the picture before bringing up what budget she has.

At least, I hope that's it.

ETA - that is still bad business practice, and I don't mean to convey that it somehow is not.

[puzzleoflight]

I read it that way too. I've lost count of the number of times someone has asked for a commission from myself or my other sewing friends and neglected to mention their budget.