Sounds like they straight up scammed to get a free design from you, honestly. Maybe you can dig around and see if they've done this to people before?
Either way, damn that sucks.
Update
I messaged them and they said that they moved into another appartment and packed everything, so they didn't have time to get to their part yet. They also said that they had to move twice because of an issue and that they didn't have a chance to unpack things, but they didn't mention when they'll get back to their part of our trade so I'm a bit worried that they're trying to avoid finishing it (or even starting ,for all I know).
Okay, I'll try to make it simple.
About an year ago, me and an artist on Instagram agreed to do a design trade. I've contacted them through DMs to discuss about it and both of us stated our preferences. Now, I've finished my part of the trade in about 10 days, and posted it on instagram. The artist saw it and even replied, and stated that they were going to finish their part. However, it has been about an year since our agreement and this artist still hasn't finished their part. I've reminded them about our trade multiple times, and they said that they'd get their part done in few days. However, I'm still waiting for it and I didn't even get progress pics, which is making me think that they didn't even start it.
I really don't know what to do, and I'd rather not write a PSA for now, until the situation really degenerates. I would like to hear some advices instead and try to work things out without having to start drama ;-;
If you have concerns/doubts or would like me to show you some proves, feel free to comment or pm me.
Infinipede @afternath Wonderland
I'll send them another message today and will wait until next week to see if they will at least give me a sketch. Last time I contacted them (which was about 5 weeks ago) they said they did a sketch and asked me if I wanted them to redraw it. I said it was fine if they used the old sketch, and if they could show it to me so I could see the character but I didn't receive anything yet, so I'm really starting to think they lied in the first place.
If I'll receive nothing again, I'll warn them about a possible PSA and will proceed to write one if they won't finish their part. At this point, I'm okay if they just give me a sketch, at least I would get... something out of that trade.
Added a little update, since I messaged the artist to see whether they were going to finish their part or not.