I've paid three designers for eight new designs over the last month 1/2. They (the 3 designers) came highly recommended here on GFY, they had great ports, and I started each of them off with a 'test' design. Meaning, I paid in full and if I didn't like the designs then I wouldn't hire them again.
I had a budget to spend and wanted to try differant designers for differant projects. I was happy with all the designs/designers so I gave them more projects and paid them all upfront, in total, now that I knew how they worked, liked their designs, etc.
A happy paid designer does better work then someone who grumbles, or feels pressure, etc. IMHO.
Results (a sample):
www.sexxybrandon.com
www.misterpeabodyeurope.com/index1.html
www.milfmia.com
Still working on the Mister Peabody Europe site - links, and it has to be submitted to CCBill and Epoch - but there ya go. LOL