Parkwest Art on Sale at Costco!

[RetiredMustang]

However, the real ugly is that the passageways are lined with this "art" making walking treacherous. A secondary ugly is that passengers cannot sit in chairs in the Ocean Bar because pieces of "art" have taken up the space.

 

,,,

 

Ruth, that is indeed the problem. I don't care in principle that they sell art, and obviously someone is buying it so they attend the auctions. But, it was somewhat annoying to see the Ocean Bar taken up with an auction on W'dam, which also meant that the entire atrium area had to listen to it, which made the whole area nigh on unihabitable. The topper was reading about the closing of the CN on Rotterdam.

 

I can see on the S or R class it may be more problematic (but I think not impossible), but at least with the Vista class, can't ParkWest use a space that is not generally open at the time? The piano bar and Northen Lights disco come to mind, as those are usually not open during the day. And, careful scheduling of the Culinary Arts Center should allow auctions as well as movies and cooking demonstrations. The art auction I saw at the Ocean Bar was attended by about 15-20 people, so staging one in the Culinary Center during the day, with the art stowed/displayed in the Northen Lights sounds workable to me. That would allow the people who attend art auctions to have their enjoyment without negatively impacting ours.

 

Dave

[West Coast]

Do you get a glass of champagne while you make your selection? :rolleyes:

 

No champagne but probably lots of hors dourves (aka - free product samples!).

[wrecks]

We have bought several very nice pieces from Park West on past cruises. They have donated to one of my favorite charities. They put on auctions to help non-profits. I am considering (still researching) them to be a fund raiser for a couple of charities I am involved with. Has anyone had a problem with their off-ship fund raisers for non-profits? Most of the comments seem of be 'off the cuff' but perhaps caused because of past purchases?

Thanks for the comments,

Rex

[defaultet]

I don't think there's anything wrong with ParkWest selling artwork at Costco. Most of the artwork that they sell on board seems to be reasonably priced, anyway.

 

If you can re-sell a piece for anything close to what you paid for it, that might be another story. In particular, the Peter Max paintings they try to sell on board never sell and seem to be very price inflated.

 

But how it that any different than the millions of dollars that are spent on diamond jewelry each year? I like the ParkWest events on board. You learn a little, drink a lot of champagne, and grin and bear it when you wife accidentally bids on and wins a $300 Betty Boop print.

 

But seriously, what's so wrong with ParkWest? No one forces you to buy anything. There's lots of opportunities to win free items, and you get a free art print. The art prints are really nice. If you pack them well, you can easily decorate your home with free prints.

 

Also, I really enjoy the Salvador Dali/Walt Disney film that they have been showing on board.

[cruznon]

I believe it was on the Zuiderdam that we were "shooed" out of the Ocean Bar to accommodate their "art" setup! The Park West guys were clumping chairs and setting their stuff all around the bar area--no place to sit and relax...:(

[donaldsc]

Wait until you can get it at the 99 cent store. Then it will be a real bargain - or perhaps what it is really worth.

 

DON

[Willsot]

This isn't exactly new news: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/208616_costco20.html

 

If you look at what Costco offers, either on the website or stores, you will notice it does not appear to be all "junk" art as the Park West haters have so duly noted.

[Orcrone]

The day I can't find a seat in Ocean Bar because a piece of art is 'sitting in the chair' and there are no other empty seats........is the day I lift that piece of art and with care place IT on the floor and ME in the chair. :D

 

But what would you do if the artwork got there at 6 AM and put out a towel, pair of sunglasses or a book to reserve its chair for the day.:rolleyes:

[defaultet]

@donaldsc,

 

Yes, the art may not have actual investment value, just like anything collectible. If you enjoy it though, it does.

 

My grandfather spent hundreds of dollars a month on U.S. postage stamps. These have a very poor resale value (something like 30 cents on the dollar) but he enjoyed his hobby.

 

I still think it is up to the cruiser to do their research. ParkWest does not seem to sell art for serious art collectors. So don't buy from them, and let everyone else enjoy.

[donaldsc]

Do you get a glass of champagne while you make your selection? :rolleyes:

 

Maybe Parkwest buys its champagne at Costo - or is the Costco champagne too good for them?

 

DON

[sail7seas]

But what would you do if the artwork got there at 6 AM and put out a towel, pair of sunglasses or a book to reserve its chair for the day.:rolleyes:

 

 

:D Order it a Birthday Cake!!! (Sorry....just kidding but you know what I mean. ;) ..... even if it was a few days past 'the actual date'. :D

 

[mhshapiro]

Don't be so fast wishing them lower sales figures. ;)

 

The higher their sales, the more stable our fares will be. IF it is true what we have read here from Bruce Muzz........ HAL is making more money from the Art Auctions than Bingo, Casino and Shops combined.

 

Let their cash register ring!!!!

 

 

OMG someone actually buys the "art".

[donaldsc]

OMG someone actually buys the "art".

 

To quote P.T. Barnum - there is a sucker born every minute.

 

DON