"I don't think anyone is saying that you should deliver the art before payment is made, but that the customer should be able to see the art before payment is made."

Not arguing that point.  Of course a customer should be able to see what they are getting before paying for it.  That's why I provide not only thumbnails for approval, several in the case of some customers, but work-in-progress scans and keep all lines of communication open throughout the creation process including personal phone numbers, emails and visible message board presence.  Protects the customer AND me from post-job dissatisfaction.  I don't expect payment until the customer has approved the piece, states their satisfaction, and I'm ready to ship it. 

Once you commission artwork you are entering into a contract for a customized item, not a product meant for mass retail consumption.  Unless otherwise stated, the artist agrees to do the piece and deliver; the customer agrees to pay for it unless it significantly differs from what was agreed upon.  Unless otherwise understood, it's not a deal of "I'll do this first without any deposit or retainer and if you don't like it, you don't have to pay for it and I'll just eat it or find something else to do with it." 

"Your point about being able to absorb a loss finds no sympathy here.  if a store can't afford to keep well stocked, then the store should close.  If an artist cannot afford to take a loss from a rejected piece, then he is in the wrong business."

Bullshit.  A self-employed independent contractor is not a retail establishment.  He doesn't stock inventory or sell ancillary merchandise from other vendors.  His income is derived from his work, so any rejected work represents business loss that can't be made up from other sources.  There is no return policy on labor or time lost that could have been used on other endeavors.

Being able to "absorb a loss" has nothing to do with it.

"How many jobs do you know of that pay up front? Don't paychecks come at the end of the month?"

I think the difference is in being an independent contractor versus an employee.  There are several jobs where it's common business practice to accept a deposit for a job before beginning work.  Attorneys, for example, request retainers before providing certain services.  Painting/construction services on one's house is another.  Custom musical instrument builders won't build for a customer without a deposit.

Again, my point is not that one should pay for the ENTIRE job up front...but that it's not unreasonable to take a deposit as a good faith policy before beginning the job and to accept payment of the balance when the job is finished and approved.  Once the customer has approved the job, why would s/he be unwilling to pay for the work?

Wow, Pat, you just defined the word "escrow" without using the word!!

es·crow      /n. ˈɛskroʊ, ɪˈskroʊ; v. ɪˈskroʊ, ˈɛskroʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[n. es-kroh, i-skroh; v. i-skroh, es-kroh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation Law.

In all seriousness, I would not buy a commission without either escrow or paying no more than 50% up front.

Upon completion to satisfaction, I would be willing to pay the other half.

I give JB a ton of credit for the way he handles his commissions.

Of all the "Byrne stories" you hear out there, nary a one relates to commission for hire.

Hats off to you JB!

Dave

Can you email me Giordano's contact info please?  I'd love a commisison