Can I ask for advice? I was an artist for a zine that ended pre-orders a couple of months ago. Sales didn't go well, and the mods have been very quiet since. Buyers were supposed to get partial refunds but the blog hasn't been updated. Artists get occasional messages from the mods (only after we ping them for updates) that don't really tell us anything and we haven't seen or head anything about a PDF even though final submissions were also months ago. I'm worried, but what can I do?
At this point, if they refuse to share any kind of update or specific answers, it would be best to push them more. This, unfortunately, sounds like a scam. You and the other artists shouldnāt let them hold onto that amount of money indefinitely. Itās only fair to all the participants and the buyers to get their money back.Ā
Provide them with ultimatums and a deadline. If they donāt give any proof of a PDF, receipts for any orders, screenshots of dollar amounts earned and how much theyāve sold etc., within a certain deadline, you and the other artists hold the right to go forward publicly to share what is happening. Buyers should be encouraged to call for chargebacks or file claims on their lost money. They should be getting a FULL refund if they donāt receive any kind of product.Ā
Weāve received several inquiries about situations similar to this. Several zines have unresponsive mods who have either gone silent months after preorders, show no proof of any work done to deliver products or receipts of money used/earned etc. Itās terrifying and shocking how many zines like this go under the radar, how many mods have successfully scammed their coworkers and customers out of hundreds or thousands of money because people are scared or ignorant to speak up. This has to stop. Itās not only buyers being scammed out of their money, but creators are also being scammed out of theirs. All their creative work is not free. Their time and effort are not free. Trust and respect are not free.Ā
If you feel like something is fishy or concerning, speak up. Speaking up is not some mal-intentioned call out. Mods have private zine discords and emails for that reason. You should feel comfortable to raise any concerns with your mods. If theyāve ever made you feel like you canāt have a voice, then they arenāt a very good mod.Ā
If any zines youāve bought or participated in go for 3-4 weeks without any sort of update, ask for one. Ask for screenshots of receipts, proof of sales, financial breakdowns etc. Ask the mods what their game plans are in the event of X or Y. Ask them what the schedule and budget look like. Ask. Talk. Discuss.Ā
Weāre currently living in a period where zines canāt solely operate on a modās āgood wordā. People have been scammed out of their money and their time, over and over again. Over and over again. If any mod isnāt cooperative or is aggressive about peopleās concerns, then they should probably do something else. People can not blindly trust and respect anymore. Mods canāt expect that. If youāre a mod who canāt handle any of what Iāve mentioned above, please take a second and reevaluate if you should be modding. If youāre not prepared to be transparent, then I suggest you stop doing projects involving other people.Ā
If any mod canāt provide a simple weekly update, screenshots of receipts they should have, or specific answers regarding the state of the zine etc., then itās very worrying. Not every person will be trying to scam you but if they arenāt, then they are simply being very incompetent at a job they took on.Ā Ā