"I understand what you're saying, and I don't want you to feel like I'm trying to take you for a fool or get extra money out of you. That's genuinely not my intention.
The reason I charge for customs is not just for the finished content itself. It's also for the time, effort, and availability I put aside specifically for you. When I'm dedicating that time and attention to one person instead of using that time for other fans.
That's why I was asking for the $200 to unlock it. I wasn't trying to change our agreement or randomly add another charge afterward. I was looking at the value of the custom and the time I specifically put aside for you.
I respect what we agreed on, though, and I don't want this to become a fight over money. I just wanted you to understand where I'm coming from and why I value my time and personalized attention the way I do."
So fucking predatory, give me a break. I pity the people who fall for this shit and just do it without question. This is not an excuse to gouge your fans who help you earn a living.