This is tough, and it would be why I never offer commissions on sites like weasyl and FA and Deviant unless I can finish the work within two weeks. Almost a year? That seems ridiculous. And then the fact that they didn't work on it, most likely forgot to do it or lost it, then tried to blow you off? I'm all for giving people the benefit of the doubt, but this sounds like laziness. At this point I just wouldn't commission them again. I'm not one for slander at all, but I wouldn't recommend the artist to friends or watchers.

Now I'm terribly curious about who and what the commission looks like...

I have had a similar experience with a trade, but all they've given me is the sketch... twice, and nothing but excuses as to why it isn't a full body full color like we agreed upon, let alone what we agreed on in the first place (my character, sitting next to a frankenturret, on a button because they wanted the picture to be portal themed) and now they're "having computer troubles" and are "waiting on (their) brother to fix it"... sigh I am seriously getting pissed, I'd be less offended if they just said "I'm not going to do it, so fuck you." rather than dragging me along for over a year.

I haven't had a problem like this myself, but I do feel you were in the right. If you paid their full price you should have gotten their best quality work, especially for a wait like that. You shouldn't feel bad or guilty. You waited and waited and gave that person a chance and it seems they just crapped on you. I know it wasn't me but I am sorry you had to put up with someone like that. When stuff like that happens it really sucks.

I've had similar experiences with artists before on the quality aspect, but never on the "Nuuuh I don't caaaare" part. I know I'm lazy, but if someone commissions something from me I'm generally somewhat prompt (unless I'm having artist/DM block), and if I'm not I let people at least know what's going on. Eitherway, I'd surely give them an appropriate review where you can, and let people know what they did to you.

I've had this happen before...where I commission someone and they ignore it for months and then when I pester them enough for the art or a refund, they half ass it and it looks terrible. I hate it so much =__= it makes me never want to do business of any sort with them again...and I generally don't. It's so infuriating.

Even when I get commissions with characters I don't particularly like, I make sure to put the same amount of effort into the art even if I don't like the result. Some people just don't give a damn about the customers satisfaction :/

This is why "artist beware" was initially created, so people didn't get swindled by mass producing artist's that have long forgotten what it is to produce quality and focus too much on quantity. Also, the ability to flat out report thieves, asshole clientele and shoddy artists. You did nothing wrong. Tell it like it is, bish. Let your voice be heard!

Also, its not like you are some whiny mud minded collector that's trying to get another piece for free. I've dealt with those. If you saw a severe lacking in quality, as a fellow artist, you know what the hell you are talking about.
Never do business with them again and if you know a close friend that wants to, give them a warning/show them the work you received. There is nothing wrong with it. People deserve to be called out when they try to peddle scrap work.

You were definitely not wrong bb, and I'm sorry they fucked you over so bad :c I wish there was something you could do about it besides making an A_B, but maybe you should.
Was it who I think it was?