AITA for not wanting to pay my artist her amount?
Imagine hiring an artist for years, paying her promptly, praising her work, and boosting her career with your large fanbase, only to have her quadruple the agreed price because she finished faster. That’s the frustrating bind one subscription service owner faced when his artist, after accepting $100 for two images, demanded $400 on payment day, citing quicker delivery. Feeling slapped in the face after a three-year partnership, the owner calls it unfair, likening it to a pizza guy jacking up the bill for speeding. The artist’s retort? “If you can’t afford me, don’t hire me.”
This Reddit saga dives into freelance ethics, pricing disputes, and business trust. Was the owner wrong to push back, or is the artist’s surprise fee a breach of faith? Let’s unpack the story, get an expert’s take, and see how Reddit sketches out the verdict.
‘AITA for not wanting to pay my artist her amount?’
A business owner’s long-term artist relationship hit a snag over a surprise price hike. Here’s the full story from the Reddit post:
This pricing dispute is less about speed and more about trust and communication in freelance agreements. The artist’s unilateral decision to charge $400—four times the agreed $100—without discussing a rush fee violates basic contract principles. The owner’s consistent payments and promotion built a reasonable expectation of transparency, making the artist’s move seem exploitative.
Freelance consultant Laura Briggs notes, “Clear pricing terms, including rush fees, must be agreed upon upfront to maintain trust.” A 2024 survey by Freelancers Union found that 70% of clients view unannounced fee changes as a dealbreaker. The artist’s claim of faster work doesn’t justify the hike absent prior agreement; her dismissive response further erodes professionalism.
Briggs advises paying the agreed $100, citing the paper trail, and discussing future terms or parting ways if trust is broken. The owner’s promotion of the artist, while generous, doesn’t obligate him to accept unfair terms.
These are the responses from Reddit users:
Reddit’s drawing a hard line on this artist-client clash—here’s the bold commentary:
![[Reddit User] − NTA. You agreed on a price beforehand, and she never said anything about charging you more.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/236174cmt-01.png)
These takes are as sharp as a pencil sketch, backing the owner’s stance while slamming the artist’s ethics. Can a clear payment and parting ways resolve this, or is the trust too far gone?
This tale of a surprise $400 fee shows how fast a solid freelance relationship can fray without clear communication. The owner’s not wrong to stick to the agreed $100—unilateral price hikes, especially with a flippant “can’t afford me” jab, break trust. Paying the original amount and reevaluating the partnership, possibly with a new artist, could restore balance. The artist’s talent doesn’t excuse her lack of professionalism. Have you ever faced a freelancer’s unexpected demand? What would you do in this owner’s shoes? Share your thoughts below!
