By Charles Sherman
1. Quality: There are three major rules you must understand when acquiring
art: 1. Quality 2. Quality. 3. Quality. So many instances of bad quality art
can come to the surface after the piece has been delivered but by that time
it will be too late.
2. Damage: There is no way to tell if the artwork is damaged by looking at
it on your computer monitor. A piece of art in perfect condition can be
scanned [to provide the image you see,] but a damaged piece can easily be
sold [instead].
3. No recourse: If the artwork turns out to be different than advertised, you
have little or no recourse, especially if the seller is out of state.
4. Posters vs. original graphics. Many times an original lithograph is based
on a painting. It may be signed and numbered and have a high value. Some
unscrupulous dealers will sell a poster that looks identical to the original
graphic.
5. Stamped vs. signed. It is impossible to tell the difference between a
mechanically reproduced artist signature and an individually signed graphic
by the artist over the internet.
6. Experience: One of the great pleasures in acquiring art is the experience
itself. Going into a gallery or an artist studio is a bonus in buying art.
There is no reason to deprive yourself of that rich experience.
7. Omitted data: Don't trust a certificate of authenticity from an internet
art dealer because you never know what they will leave out. Unfortunately,
there is little or no recourse.
8. Altered data: With modern word processing equipment it is easy to alter or
even create false certificates of authenticity.
9. Credit card charge backs: Some internet dealers have so many charge backs
from upset clients that the credit card companies are canceling business all
the time. This means that after you place your order you will not receive the
artwork and might have to wait months to get your money back.
10. No location: One of the most frustrating things in trying to cancel a
deal or asking for your money back is that there is nobody to talk to. If you
must buy art on line pay with a credit card and always call first to be
certain that somebody is there. If there is no telephone number or nobody to
answer the telephone and no address, definitely do not buy art over the
internet from that website.
For more information and other articles on the art market by Charles Sherman please visit <http://www.beverlyhillscollaterallenders.com/>