Park West Art Auctions

[mcaron]

 

Interesting article. Anyone bought aret at sea? Any Bargains to be had ?

 

Arizona / West

 

 

Gullible travels: art sales at sea

 

Auctions find a captive crowd on cruise ships

By Dennis Wagner

The Arizona Republic

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.09.2007

 

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Like thousands of tourists, Gary and Olga Holloway went on a Caribbean cruise for relaxation. The Scottsdale couple also wound up learning about fine art, thanks to Park West at Sea, a company that conducts onboard auctions.

Before the trip was over last June, they had spent $17,836 on three limited-edition prints by Rembrandt van Rijn, plus one by Salvador Dali.

Gary Holloway was thrilled with his sophisticated investment, backed by appraisals and letters of authenticity.

The works, including Dali's "Divine Comedy — Paradise 26," showed a total "retail replacement price" of about $24,000. Holloway figured he had actually made money while on vacation.

Back home in Arizona, he enjoyed looking at the artwork for six months, then advertised it on eBay. He got no bid over $1,000 and was puzzled to find similar prints offered for one-quarter of his purchase price.

Holloway said experts told him he overpaid. In late January, he wrote a letter to Park West Gallery of Michigan, the umbrella company that describes itself as the largest seller of fine art in America. He complained that company agents overstated the appraisal value of the Rembrandt trilogy and assured him that discount art from cruise auctions is a worthwhile purchase.

Last month, Park West attorney Robert Burlington answered Holloway's complaint: "Our investigation of the facts does not support the allegations you have made. . . . Park West stands behind its prices and is fully able to support the reputation of the company and the value of its artworks. . . . You will not be receiving a refund."

It's all in the fine print

If Holloway had read the invoice on his purchase, he would have found a disclaimer: "No verbal agreements or representations (by Park West agents) shall be of any force or effect unless set forth in writing."

If he had read the certificate of authenticity, he would have learned that it did not apply to guarantees about the work's title, lot size, rarity, provenance or importance. And if he had inspected the appraisal, he would have seen that Park West "assumes no liability for claims that our appraisal is inaccurate."

As Park West Gallery director Morris Shapiro put it, "No one can say they weren't informed of the rules."

Shapiro answered written questions via e-mail sent to Burlington, the company attorney. He said Park West auctioned hundreds of thousands of pieces of art in 2006 yet received just 30 letters of complaint. Ten refunds were issued for various reasons on a case-by-case basis.

Some unhappy clients thought they got cheated because they saw "fake artwork and phony prices" advertised on the Internet, Shapiro said. Others may have suffered buyer's remorse: "When the vacation is over and the routine of daily life resumes, bills from the vacation arrive, and many people realize they spent a lot more than they had planned."

Overall, Shapiro said, Park West has provided "exceptional value" to nearly 1 million clients since 1969.

Alcohol and captivating spiels

Each year, tens of thousands of tourists sail the seas. Many voyages feature auctions promoted with bro-chures, announcements and seminars. Cruise lines charge the art companies a fee but take no responsibility for their dealings.

Champagne flows freely. Auctioneers deliver spellbinding spiels. The show, Shapiro said, is "informative and entertaining."

It's also big business, and Park West is among the prominent oceanic entrepreneurs.

Shapiro wouldn't disclose the company's income, but it conducts auctions on about 70 ships, with more events at resort hotels for special clients.

Many of the pieces are limited-edition impressions taken from works by masters such as Picasso and Renoir. Shapiro said letters from patrons document consumer satisfaction.

Richard Sisneros of Albuquerque, who has bought 40 works at Park West auctions over the years, sent a recent thank-you note: "We were so impressed with the knowledge and level of customer service your employees provided. Park West is truly top drawer."

He has bought art from Park West at cruise auctions and at resort events.

But some art appraisers use the words "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) when discussing "land and sea auctions" for tourists. They say unsophisticated vacationers can get caught up in a buying frenzy conducted with free booze and a limited opportunity to do research.

"These people somehow trust that they're getting really good deals," said Alan Bamberger, an independent appraiser and author of "The Art of Buying Art."

"You have to get a second opinion, no matter where you're buying," he said.

Shapiro said auction guests are not pressured, and cruise ships have Internet service for anyone who wants to compare prices. Besides, he added, a work's ultimate value is "based on the emotion it elicits from the viewer."

"Just be warned . . ."

Several experts noted that Park West appraisals are done in-house and list a "retail replacement value" for art pieces.

Dan Soules, sales executive with Phoenix-based Gordon's Art Reference, which maintains databases on art prices, said major auction houses typically provide estimated prices in advance of bidding based on what was paid for comparable artwork in previous events.

Bernard Ewell, a Dali specialist who does authentication work for Park West, said the company's appraisals are not independent and he perceives them as high. Ewell said people who buy art to make money are misguided, because nearly all pieces decline in value after the first purchase. Asked about cruise ship auctions, he said: "Just be warned. . . . Almost invariably, the prices paid to Park West are higher than in other venues."

Corinne Cain of Phoenix, a 30-year art appraiser accredited by the American Society of Appraisers, said she has attended Park West auctions and found the company's labeling to be accurate. However, she noted, "it was more than a little likely that potential art purchasers did not realize that information was direct evidence that the artwork was not that desirable."

For example, Cain said, the phrase "signed in the stone" means an artist did not individually sign the work. Another term, "pochoir," describes a stencil print that is generally less valuable than an original etching or lithograph.

Shapiro's answer: "If someone doesn't understand 'signed in stone' or 'pochoir,' please, these are adults. They need only to ask. Is that so surprising or unfair?"

Shapiro said Park West appraisals are ethical and no different from when other businesses put a price tag on a product. As for the phrase "retail replacement value," he added, that is an amount "generally used for insurance purposes."

Suit alleges "phantom bidders"

A class-action lawsuit in New Jersey alleges that Park West auctioneers sometimes use "phantom bidders" to drive up prices.

On a voyage five years ago, the civil complaint alleges, art buyer Alan Beegal detected the practice.

"They were shills that weren't even there," contended Ross Begelman, attorney for the plaintiffs. "The auctioneers just pointed at the chandelier or pointed at the crowd."

The lawsuit alleges that the practice continued at subsequent auctions, meaning each new round of patrons was bidding based on artificially inflated prices from prior auctions. Because of that, Begelman estimates, there are 250,000 to 1 million people who may qualify as plaintiffs.

Shapiro said the civil complaint is "absurd." Burlington, the Park West lawyer, said the class-action certification by the court is under appeal.

"My jaw dropped" at online info

Jim and Julie Russell of Las Vegas also reported feeling cheated after buying art at a Park West auction.

While surfing the Web after a purchase, they discovered that a Jules Cheret chalk drawing they had paid $24,700 for had been bought by Park West from another gallery months earlier for $2,000.

"My jaw dropped," Jim Russell recalled. "I'm looking at $2,000, and they've sold it for $24,700. And this is the 'steal of the auction'?

"Neophyte's a good word. Definitely a novice," Russell added. "They've got an open bar there, filling up your glasses with booze. It kind of reminds me of what goes on in Vegas with your hosts in the casinos."

[Cruisegirl6]

We have won auctions of art and purchased art from Park West on various cruises. We never get ripped off and when we get home do checking to see if we did, so far so good. Its just a matter of knowing the art, the average price and not overbidding, I truely feel that one problem people have is overbidding not getting a bargain and not knowing when to stop.

[LizC]

Great info. Buyer beware!!!!!

[sas80]

I have never heard good things about Parc West.

 

Usually it is all there in the fine print. If any company refuses to issue a garantee and steadfastly denies most, if not all, liability, you should always W-A-L-K

[CruiseAwayWithMe]

We went to Park West Auctions but we only looked at the paintings, never bought them. Talked to some of the seller guys onboard Freedom of the Seas and they said that Park West is stationed in Southfield, Michigan. (That's only about 30 minutes away from where I live.) I was surprised that all the paintings are coming from there. I figured I could get a better deal from there. :eek: But, we don't buy paintings, just look at them. I watched part of the auction too because it's fun to see what people will bid. They usually bid a lot on the blind paintings.

[superjerryw]

The artwork they sell on ships is no different than anything else that is sold on board, it is overpriced. If you go for a massage in the ship's spa you will pay far more than you would for a comparable massage back home. If you buy at the stores in port recommended by the ship you will pay more than if you bought elsewhere. Why should the sale of artwork be any different. The spa, the art auctions, the recommended shops in port, all of these entities pay a hefty fee to the cruise line. All of these things are money making ventures for the cruise lines and if there is a problem the cruise lines tell you that these ventures are operated by independent third parties and the cruise lines are not liable for any wrongdoing.

 

I guess the part that I find really funny about the art acutions is that there is always some claim that you can buy this artwork at sea for less than you would pay in a land based gallery back home. Give me a break, if you could sell this artwork for more money in a land based gallery why would you load it on a ship to sell it to me for less.:confused:

[whogo]

My kids won two "$500" prints on our last cruise. I assume they are not really worth the $30 shipping cost. I would never again pay to have a "winning" print shipped home.

[polodad]

My kids won two "$500" prints on our last cruise. I assume they are not really worth the $30 shipping cost. I would never again pay to have a "winning" print shipped home.

 

There is some truth to the above philosophy. We were just on AOS & I attended the Park West auctions. I won a $600? print. They charged me $35 to ship it and I declined the $35 appraisal cost to document the value. Same print is offered on EBAY for $60.

 

I have purchased from Park West before, but always go on the internet first to check pricing before purchasing. I guess CPA's just aren't impulsive, lol.

One of my life philosophies is (if its such a great deal why isn't it sold?).

[PH8]

My kids won two "$500" prints on our last cruise. I assume they are not really worth the $30 shipping cost. I would never again pay to have a "winning" print shipped home.

And wait till you see what the framing will cost you once you get it home.......we framed one and sold the rest on EBay........

 

Just got my Parkwest credit card bill today(yes, we have bought from them.....never again though)............anyway, HSBC is no longer having them on their credit(so my card with parkWest is no longer valid--blessing in disguise:) ).......wonder if HSBC got alot of negative feedback and complaints.........and kicked them to the curb??:eek:

[mitchrock]

We have had no problems with what we've bought from Park West. Researched values after we bought art work once we got home and found they were good and we bid well under.

[mitchrock]

We have had no problems with what we've bought from Park West. Researched values after we bought art work once we got home and found they were good and we bid well under.

[Cruisegirl6]

We also had no problems at all! Granted, its the framing that really costs so much and jacks up the price but also the value....we never get the framing from Park West not many choices at all, we prefer take it to a local framing place and choose the frame we like. I have to say Park West Framing is high but it is everywhere else. We are happy with all the pieces we won.

 

Our pieces came from Miami Florida, perhaps it has something to do that I live in Florida, maybe they ship out in different places according to where you live, but ours were always postmarked from Miami.

 

The trick is know your artwork, don't fall for that its cheaper at sea, its all in the bidding and your knowing about the pieces, artists, etc.

[skisteamboat]

We have bought a few pieces on cruises, always numbered prints. Prices I have found on the internet are usually at least 25% higher than the Park West hammer price but a lot depends on the artist. We like Tarkay and what I have found is that the Park west minimum bid price is about 25% to 50% lower but when you add in the bidder's premium of 18%, shipping and appraisal, it comes out closer.

 

The "free" ones given away as prizes in drawings seem to be worth the price of shipping and appraisal (which is usually grossly inflated at ~ $500). Still they make nice wall hangings.

 

If you are interested in collecting and you check the prices on the internet for the artists covered by Park West like Tarkay, Bellet', etc. to see what might be a reasonable price, attending the auction and bidding (or not) is a reasonable way to pass a half day at sea.

 

Sometimes you do get a surprise as on our last trip on the Vision to Alaska where there was a minor bidding contest over a numbered print. The auctioneer gave the thing away to the wining bidder who had bid it up from $100 to $140.

 

BTW, according to the Auctioneer, unframed works come from Michigan and framed works come from Miami which is why residents of those states pay sales tax whilst the rest of us do not.

 

Cheers

[PH8]

We also had no problems at all! Granted, its the framing that really costs so much and jacks up the price but also the value....we never get the framing from Park West not many choices at all, we prefer take it to a local framing place and choose the frame we like. I have to say Park West Framing is high but it is everywhere else. We are happy with all the pieces we won.

 

Our pieces came from Miami Florida, perhaps it has something to do that I live in Florida, maybe they ship out in different places according to where you live, but ours were always postmarked from Miami.

 

The trick is know your artwork, don't fall for that its cheaper at sea, its all in the bidding and your knowing about the pieces, artists, etc.

I thought if you got them framed,they will come from Miami..........

[Cruisegirl6]

We got many with no frames, most of all our pieces no frames and the artwork still came from Miami.

[mitchrock]

Funny I think Park West is m uch more reasonable than Princess. Can find deals on Princess, but not nearly as good as we got on RCI with Park West.

[Nancyquilts]

Don't buy it as an investment - buy it only if it's something you would like to have on the walls and look at (or if you have a ship or motel that needs pictures on the walls). Nancy

[Cruisin Kay D]

Interesting thread related to ParkWest over on HAL Board -- ParkWest took some high puchasers on a HAL cruise, took over the premium-viewing top-deck lounge for the entire week for their private parties & auctions every day -- made alot of the passengers mad they couldn't use go into that particular lounge.

[john & Gerrie nj]

what the heck is a certified reproduction?

thats what they were selling on the Empress last week.

The Platinum /Diamond function guests were given a " $95 work of art"

I later ask the nice Park West lady if I could get a $5 OBC instead and she just laughed.

you have a better chance of finding fine art at the gas station on sat.

as for the "I got a good deal" crowd I have yet to see anyone post that they

were screwed over.

If the suckers stop buying Park West will go away- this is a profit center.

Happy Cruising and don't buy any Bridges in Brooklyn