bsharp
New Member
Posts โข 92
Likes โข 104
February 2018
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by bsharp on Apr 22, 2022 6:49:04 GMT 1, I recently spent a fair amount to buy an original work by a prominent artist through a fairly well known gallery - between $75k and $100k. Itโs not being shown and is ready for shipment.
I paid for it 3 weeks ago (wire transfer, confirmed) but the gallery has not followed up yet with a shipping quote, despite me reaching out a couple times about next steps. Iโve only been forwarded to their logistics coordinator (after 2 weeks) who said theyโd send me a quote, but nothing since.
I have always had great communication from galleries, especially post payment, even for less expensive works. This is the first time Iโve worked with this particular gallery.
Is this slowness standard for higher end stuff? My guess is not standard, but I donโt want to annoy them unnecessarily if this is normal. I would expect that spending as much would at least get me some attentiveness, so Iโm unfortunately a little disappointed here.
No need to name names, just want some thoughts on whether I should pressure them more, or just chill and wait.
Thanks all!
I recently spent a fair amount to buy an original work by a prominent artist through a fairly well known gallery - between $75k and $100k. Itโs not being shown and is ready for shipment.
I paid for it 3 weeks ago (wire transfer, confirmed) but the gallery has not followed up yet with a shipping quote, despite me reaching out a couple times about next steps. Iโve only been forwarded to their logistics coordinator (after 2 weeks) who said theyโd send me a quote, but nothing since.
I have always had great communication from galleries, especially post payment, even for less expensive works. This is the first time Iโve worked with this particular gallery.
Is this slowness standard for higher end stuff? My guess is not standard, but I donโt want to annoy them unnecessarily if this is normal. I would expect that spending as much would at least get me some attentiveness, so Iโm unfortunately a little disappointed here.
No need to name names, just want some thoughts on whether I should pressure them more, or just chill and wait.
Thanks all!
|
|
Jimini Cricket
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,876
Likes โข 1,256
December 2017
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by Jimini Cricket on Apr 22, 2022 7:37:18 GMT 1, I recently spent a fair amount to buy an original work by a prominent artist through a fairly well known gallery - between $75k and $100k. Itโs not being shown and is ready for shipment. I paid for it 3 weeks ago (wire transfer, confirmed) but the gallery has not followed up yet with a shipping quote, despite me reaching out a couple times about next steps. Iโve only been forwarded to their logistics coordinator (after 2 weeks) who said theyโd send me a quote, but nothing since. I have always had great communication from galleries, especially post payment, even for less expensive works. This is the first time Iโve worked with this particular gallery. Is this slowness standard for higher end stuff? My guess is not standard, but I donโt want to annoy them unnecessarily if this is normal. I would expect that spending as much would at least get me some attentiveness, so Iโm unfortunately a little disappointed here. No need to name names, just want some thoughts on whether I should pressure them more, or just chill and wait. Thanks all!
Depends. Is the artist hawt or nowt?
If there is massive flip potential, I'd suggest you be quiet and let it happen.
If the artist is a brick, you are doing the gallery a favour and THEY OWE YOU!
Until you confirm the scenario, we really can't give you the best answer except general info.
I recently spent a fair amount to buy an original work by a prominent artist through a fairly well known gallery - between $75k and $100k. Itโs not being shown and is ready for shipment. I paid for it 3 weeks ago (wire transfer, confirmed) but the gallery has not followed up yet with a shipping quote, despite me reaching out a couple times about next steps. Iโve only been forwarded to their logistics coordinator (after 2 weeks) who said theyโd send me a quote, but nothing since. I have always had great communication from galleries, especially post payment, even for less expensive works. This is the first time Iโve worked with this particular gallery. Is this slowness standard for higher end stuff? My guess is not standard, but I donโt want to annoy them unnecessarily if this is normal. I would expect that spending as much would at least get me some attentiveness, so Iโm unfortunately a little disappointed here. No need to name names, just want some thoughts on whether I should pressure them more, or just chill and wait. Thanks all! Depends. Is the artist hawt or nowt? If there is massive flip potential, I'd suggest you be quiet and let it happen. If the artist is a brick, you are doing the gallery a favour and THEY OWE YOU! Until you confirm the scenario, we really can't give you the best answer except general info. |
|
|
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by I Dont Know You Know on Apr 22, 2022 8:01:42 GMT 1, If itโs one of the British big 3 galleries then Iโm not surprised . They use shipping agents and once you have paid itโs really your responsibility. $75-100k is nothing to them . I would make as much โnoiseโ as possible. That means phone calls and emails to other heads of department. Companyโs like art move charge a fair sum for international shipping . It will arrive, Iโm in no doubt but logistics post sale can be painfully slow.
If itโs one of the British big 3 galleries then Iโm not surprised . They use shipping agents and once you have paid itโs really your responsibility. $75-100k is nothing to them . I would make as much โnoiseโ as possible. That means phone calls and emails to other heads of department. Companyโs like art move charge a fair sum for international shipping . It will arrive, Iโm in no doubt but logistics post sale can be painfully slow.
|
|
J0NNY
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,045
Likes โข 704
December 2014
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by J0NNY on Apr 22, 2022 8:20:25 GMT 1, Are you sure the gallery actually had the work on hand? If not they might be selling a work that they donโt actually own but is for sale elsewhere for less.
Are you sure the gallery actually had the work on hand? If not they might be selling a work that they donโt actually own but is for sale elsewhere for less.
|
|
amz
New Member
Posts โข 143
Likes โข 89
March 2021
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by amz on Apr 22, 2022 9:41:08 GMT 1, I've never bought anything nearly as expensive but in my experience I typically ask about the shipping arrangements and expect an answer before payment. Because it does get tricky if its large, whether its being shown, if it's with the gallery or the artist.
Some galleries imo r a bit too laid back and want no responsibility for shipping but are very eager to receive the funds. I would continue to chase them up...
I've never bought anything nearly as expensive but in my experience I typically ask about the shipping arrangements and expect an answer before payment. Because it does get tricky if its large, whether its being shown, if it's with the gallery or the artist.
Some galleries imo r a bit too laid back and want no responsibility for shipping but are very eager to receive the funds. I would continue to chase them up...
|
|
|
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by Happy Shopper on Apr 22, 2022 9:41:49 GMT 1, It shouldn't be normal... but could depend on lots of things.
Maybe they're in Venice this week for the opening of the Biennale (If they're that type of gallery) !?
It shouldn't be normal... but could depend on lots of things.
Maybe they're in Venice this week for the opening of the Biennale (If they're that type of gallery) !?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by I Dont Know You Know on Apr 22, 2022 10:48:29 GMT 1, I would chase them .
Speaking from a sales point of view it took me nearly 6months to complete a sale recently . There is a fair bit that goes into any transaction / legal ownership / transfers / logistic arrangements. And communication once sale agreed can be appalling. It can be worse than buying a house . So make noise . All comments above are in point . So draft an email with everything above itemized
Best of luck
I would chase them .
Speaking from a sales point of view it took me nearly 6months to complete a sale recently . There is a fair bit that goes into any transaction / legal ownership / transfers / logistic arrangements. And communication once sale agreed can be appalling. It can be worse than buying a house . So make noise . All comments above are in point . So draft an email with everything above itemized
Best of luck
|
|
dotdot
Junior Member
Posts โข 3,651
Likes โข 1,029
December 2006
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by dotdot on Apr 22, 2022 11:11:51 GMT 1, could be a few things.
1/ quotes from shipping folks they have used in the past , and perhaps those they're thinking of using.
2/ insurance for the above.
3/ ..change.
3/ there's been a lot of that recently.... fuel / companies going out of business and... hmm > yes insurance has gone up as well.
i had a quote for shipping of one item less than 50 miles the other week... 200 ukp (argh)
..so yeah - could be a few things...
good luck btw , goes without saying.
could be a few things.
1/ quotes from shipping folks they have used in the past , and perhaps those they're thinking of using.
2/ insurance for the above.
3/ ..change.
3/ there's been a lot of that recently.... fuel / companies going out of business and... hmm > yes insurance has gone up as well.
i had a quote for shipping of one item less than 50 miles the other week... 200 ukp (argh)
..so yeah - could be a few things...
good luck btw , goes without saying.
|
|
artzzzy
New Member
Posts โข 246
Likes โข 214
January 2021
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by artzzzy on Apr 22, 2022 11:28:27 GMT 1, Since the pandemic, shipping in general is more complicated and shipping agents are much slower.
Itโs very normal nowadays to wait for over a month for big galleries to come back with a shipping quote.
Especially if they are busy with multiple shows and arranging numerous shipments.
Since the pandemic, shipping in general is more complicated and shipping agents are much slower.
Itโs very normal nowadays to wait for over a month for big galleries to come back with a shipping quote.
Especially if they are busy with multiple shows and arranging numerous shipments.
|
|
orchid
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,463
Likes โข 1,150
May 2018
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by orchid on Apr 22, 2022 15:09:41 GMT 1, Have you checked they haven't burned it and turned it into an nft.
Have you checked they haven't burned it and turned it into an nft.
|
|
bsharp
New Member
Posts โข 92
Likes โข 104
February 2018
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by bsharp on Apr 22, 2022 15:12:39 GMT 1, Thank you for all the responses!
COVID has definitely slowed stuff down. The gallery's also got a few exhibitions opening soon (and I think they're at a fair of some kind as well) so I imagine they're moving stuff around that is objectively a higher priority for them. I'm not in a rush to receive it, but for insurance and safety purposes I would prefer to have it in my physical possession (and, of course, I like the piece itself  ).
Based on what I've read here, it sounds like they may just be busy.
Also, here are some answers to a few questions.
Depends. Is the artist hawt or nowt? If there is massive flip potential, I'd suggest you be quiet and let it happen. If the artist is a brick, you are doing the gallery a favour and THEY OWE YOU! Until you confirm the scenario, we really can't give you the best answer except general info.
Artist is hot, I wouldn't say "massive flip" potential at this price level necessarily, but there's no doubt in my mind that I could sell it.
Are you sure the gallery actually had the work on hand? If not they might be selling a work that they donโt actually own but is for sale elsewhere for less.
I'm fairly certain, since it being ready to send out is how they represented it to me. If it's different, then they weren't forthcoming with me.
I don't want to worry you but wire transfer is not recommended as a means of paying someone you don't personally know. If anything seriously goes wrong, you don't have a leg to stand on when paying with wire transfer. Did they request payment by wire transfer? Are you sure you sent it to the correct account? Have you checked that the account details match the company they say they are? Have they acknowledged that they have received the money? 3 weeks of silence is unacceptable in my opinion, especially when you are giving them that amount of money.
They requested the wire transfer. I did my due diligence to avoid any issues with wire fraud. They have acknowledged that I've bought the piece.
Thank you for all the responses! COVID has definitely slowed stuff down. The gallery's also got a few exhibitions opening soon (and I think they're at a fair of some kind as well) so I imagine they're moving stuff around that is objectively a higher priority for them. I'm not in a rush to receive it, but for insurance and safety purposes I would prefer to have it in my physical possession (and, of course, I like the piece itself ). Based on what I've read here, it sounds like they may just be busy. Also, here are some answers to a few questions. Depends. Is the artist hawt or nowt? If there is massive flip potential, I'd suggest you be quiet and let it happen. If the artist is a brick, you are doing the gallery a favour and THEY OWE YOU! Until you confirm the scenario, we really can't give you the best answer except general info. Artist is hot, I wouldn't say "massive flip" potential at this price level necessarily, but there's no doubt in my mind that I could sell it. Are you sure the gallery actually had the work on hand? If not they might be selling a work that they donโt actually own but is for sale elsewhere for less. I'm fairly certain, since it being ready to send out is how they represented it to me. If it's different, then they weren't forthcoming with me. I don't want to worry you but wire transfer is not recommended as a means of paying someone you don't personally know. If anything seriously goes wrong, you don't have a leg to stand on when paying with wire transfer. Did they request payment by wire transfer? Are you sure you sent it to the correct account? Have you checked that the account details match the company they say they are? Have they acknowledged that they have received the money? 3 weeks of silence is unacceptable in my opinion, especially when you are giving them that amount of money. They requested the wire transfer. I did my due diligence to avoid any issues with wire fraud. They have acknowledged that I've bought the piece. |
|
nobokov
Junior Member
Posts โข 4,937
Likes โข 6,885
February 2016
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by nobokov on Apr 22, 2022 15:45:56 GMT 1, I recently spent a fair amount to buy an original work by a prominent artist through a fairly well known gallery - between $75k and $100k. Itโs not being shown and is ready for shipment. I paid for it 3 weeks ago (wire transfer, confirmed) but the gallery has not followed up yet with a shipping quote, despite me reaching out a couple times about next steps. Iโve only been forwarded to their logistics coordinator (after 2 weeks) who said theyโd send me a quote, but nothing since. I have always had great communication from galleries, especially post payment, even for less expensive works. This is the first time Iโve worked with this particular gallery. Is this slowness standard for higher end stuff? My guess is not standard, but I donโt want to annoy them unnecessarily if this is normal. I would expect that spending as much would at least get me some attentiveness, so Iโm unfortunately a little disappointed here. No need to name names, just want some thoughts on whether I should pressure them more, or just chill and wait. Thanks all! Unfortunately it's normal for galleries to kind of forget about you after they get the funds. Only a sliver of galleries provide careful and attentive service throughout. Even the small galleries take forever to ship out work. Amazon needs to come in and open a mega gallery of their own so we can get prime now!
I recently spent a fair amount to buy an original work by a prominent artist through a fairly well known gallery - between $75k and $100k. Itโs not being shown and is ready for shipment. I paid for it 3 weeks ago (wire transfer, confirmed) but the gallery has not followed up yet with a shipping quote, despite me reaching out a couple times about next steps. Iโve only been forwarded to their logistics coordinator (after 2 weeks) who said theyโd send me a quote, but nothing since. I have always had great communication from galleries, especially post payment, even for less expensive works. This is the first time Iโve worked with this particular gallery. Is this slowness standard for higher end stuff? My guess is not standard, but I donโt want to annoy them unnecessarily if this is normal. I would expect that spending as much would at least get me some attentiveness, so Iโm unfortunately a little disappointed here. No need to name names, just want some thoughts on whether I should pressure them more, or just chill and wait. Thanks all! Unfortunately it's normal for galleries to kind of forget about you after they get the funds. Only a sliver of galleries provide careful and attentive service throughout. Even the small galleries take forever to ship out work. Amazon needs to come in and open a mega gallery of their own so we can get prime now!
|
|
bsharp
New Member
Posts โข 92
Likes โข 104
February 2018
|
Normal behavior for a gallery?, by bsharp on Apr 23, 2022 1:36:00 GMT 1, Unfortunately it's normal for galleries to kind of forget about you after they get the funds. Only a sliver of galleries provide careful and attentive service throughout. Even the small galleries take forever to ship out work. Amazon needs to come in and open a mega gallery of their own so we can get prime now!
In all seriousness, I would definitely pay an added premium to galleries to get their stuff out the door faster.
I wonder if there just isn't enough of an incentive for them to care. You don't exactly have alternatives when you're acquiring unique works, and it's not like the prospect of slow shipping would make you not want that piece you had your eye on -- at least, not enough to tank the sale IMO. I don't need it in 2 days. But 6 months -- as mentioned above -- is a whole new level!
Unfortunately it's normal for galleries to kind of forget about you after they get the funds. Only a sliver of galleries provide careful and attentive service throughout. Even the small galleries take forever to ship out work. Amazon needs to come in and open a mega gallery of their own so we can get prime now! In all seriousness, I would definitely pay an added premium to galleries to get their stuff out the door faster. I wonder if there just isn't enough of an incentive for them to care. You don't exactly have alternatives when you're acquiring unique works, and it's not like the prospect of slow shipping would make you not want that piece you had your eye on -- at least, not enough to tank the sale IMO. I don't need it in 2 days. But 6 months -- as mentioned above -- is a whole new level! |
|
).
