I agree. I think that if you receive a baby that was not what you were expecting and not what you were promised you go to the artists and have that discussion. A good artist will communicate and try to make it right.
There are people who are just not going to be pleased, there are people who have buyers remorse and will look for ways to recoup money they spent, there are buyers who simply want the the experience and after all the excitement is over want a refund and move on to the next baby. As artists is is hard to know what to do.
I think that is why we have to strive for honest photography, good descriptions, encourage questions and preserve that documentation.
Buyers need to understand this is art, this is not Target. They need to do research, they need to look at this artists current work and reviews, and be sure before they buy. You don’t play with it and take it to the return desk when you are done.
There is also a difference between style and quality.
All around honesty and integrity have to come from buyers and sellers.
In this case I think the communication broke down.
It should have been handled better by both parties.
I don’t think the first thing to do is to call out an artist in public but if you have tried communication and you feel like you were brushed off and taken advantage of then you need to say something. If more people do that you see a pattern then it is on the artists to make it right, to improve. This is why we have ratings and feedback systems.
As an artist I don’t think it is professional to shame your clients in public and claim to have a “legal department” to frighten them, I don’t think you hide behind the words like “My fans” it is arrogant.
It is up to you to figure out how to solve a problem and make it right with your client privately.
I think all of this was a learning opportunity for many of us who treat this hobby like a business. I know I learned a lot.
