Maybe ask for references from the most recent users who they commissioned before and aren't their friends?

Artists have lives outside of Subeta. They are not always able to crap out your commission in 48 hours or a week. I personally have a full time job and don't have much time for personal art. But I work my best at my commissions anyway. IMO, it makes you appreciate the art more when you wait a bit.

I appreciate your post so much. I almost had a long post in response to the "all is lost is time" comment. You summarized everything I wanted to say beautifully.

I personally think this problem goes both ways. There are a great deal of commissioners that either vanish without a trace, or just never pay. My personal payment choice is half up front half at the end. That way there is an investment for the person commissioning, to have to stick around, but there is also the incentive of the final payoff for the artist.

My order: Half up front---sketch / change requests --- finished art with large watermark and small small file --- final payment --- watermark free decent sized file.