Art is about money as well as something nice to have on the wall. Take the Laz Micallef prints. Sat there for ages then the Micallef market takes an upwards turn and everybody wants them. Is it because everyone realised at the same time that they look great (which has been the topic of a few threads) or is it because people see the chance of making an investment. Of course it is. Nearly every person on this forum cares if things go tits up because most stand to lose a lot of money. Not me of course, I collect Athena posters.

no matter how much something is visually appealing the risk is that you now won't have xxx amount of money in your bank account for future emergencies or more important purchases. I can't imagine anyone not considering this no matter what their income is.

The money is spent though isn't it? if you want money for emergencies, put it in the bank.
When you buy Hi Fi, gadgets, computers, lawn mowers, ice cream or whatever you don't get your money back.

Why have I lost a respect point did I upset someone?.

This is a FORUM, where EVERYONE can voice their opinions, the person who neg - me, can I at least know why?

I know some people might think I'm being disrespectful with the thread title, but the thinking behind it is, everyone cares about an "art price crash", BUT for many different REASONS, my honest personal reason is to get some pieces I have been after, at bargain prices.

If I'm wrong tell me, I'm wrong, but don't just sneak neg- me and not state your reasons why, or that just defeats the reason of you being in this forum.

unless you've invested heavily in Eelus, of course

got half way through this thread and got bored. i'll comment on what i read before i fell asleep. this whole thing with art and cars, depreciation and appreciation is relative. if you buy at source and hold on to it for life, then both factors are academic. the monetary factors do play a significant part if at any time you decide to sell, you may make some increase in value on the art, maybe a loss, on the car however you can pretty much guarantee a loss.

like DGB said, if you can afford to absorb the loss then great, if you can't then you will be concerned, especially if the loss is a lot more than you factored. as such, people will moan if art values go belly up, the same way i would if i bought a beemer and something scandalous knackered confidence in the company overnight and the £30k car i thought would depreciate steadily is suddenly worthless.

the argument in defence of those that have payed big money is that a major purchase is always an educated gamble, if that is undermined by something unforseen then not only are you broke, but you can't even kick yourself for not seeing it coming. when you buy a house, a car or even a signed banksy, you do so with your eyes wide open and accounting for all perceived risks. if things change, or you worry they may, then who in their right mind is going to crack open the champagne?

maybe the same smug, blinkered, naive people that think all those who didn't or couldn't buy when things were different, deserve to end up with egg on their faces. you won't care because you've not lost anything, those that have may still love the art but that love may be somewhat diluted by the holes in their wallets.

as for those that think the majority on here are only around to throw money at various cash-cows, think again. try reading anything started by adrscib and the levels of derision they attract. it's not nice talking numbers over images but the way things are it is a fact of life, so maybe try getting used to it rather than telling us how clever you are to not care.

Yeah, the money is spent but the point of this thread was who cares right? So I'm saying people do care. Sure some people have so much money they might not care but still would you say it's a sound judgemnent to buy a huge screen tv for a thousand pounds simply because it will bring you enjoyment? Why do you think people shouldn't care about how much they spend on something (especially something unessential) simply because it's aesthetically pleasing. Of course I care! Most people do. Especially when the prices for this "art" is now reaching astronomical proportioins. Sure I care. And yes I buy things myself that essentially become worthless in time but I also factor that aspect into the equation.

LOL, yes, I can see how that would kill the 200 quid screenprint market. Idiotic. Art is bought to enhance your life, it makes you a better, nicer more interesting person..to yourself, your family and your friends. It's full of meaning and creates thoughtful people of us all. It improves your life far more than "material goods" ever could. To go into this thinking about one day "getting your money back", well.. perhaps you should be collecting something other than art.

Yes, care about the money when you spend it, but once spent you can't expect to get it back or expect to get it back plus profit, that's my big point, why would or should art be any different to almost everything else you spend money on?

200 quid screenprint market? Where can I get a Banksy for 200 wuid? Do tell...
Once Banksy's drop, neetes, mantis' and beejoir prints start coming way down back to reality you really don't think that's going to have an effect on the midset here of people? Give me a break.

And about your idyllic words about art and how enlightened it will make you. If that's how you feel go to a museum and buy some poster. But if you're going to spend almost $20,000 for a flying copper or barcode then you're a freaking idiot if you don't think hey, is this really worth that much? Will it really bring me $20,000 worth of happiness? Isn't there a better cheaper way to make yourself a "thoughtfull person" than spending $10-20,000? That sounds just as shallow to me than worrying about the value of things.

i haven't read this whole thread yet, however, my advice for those who are worried about the financial side of buying and selling art is simply to only spend what you can afford to lose. you don't have to buy expensive £5k prints, you must realise that prices can and dol rise and fall on most things in life over the years, there is no certainty in life apart from death.
i am not saying you shouldn't care, if you have bought as an investment then i understand.
actually i think we should all just get on with it and shut up, including myself.

If you're so concerned about future values then I suggest you shouldn't be buying the art in the first place. Concentrate in stocks or be nice and safe and give it to the Banks to look after. Alternatively, see how much you can afford to spend, and if a picture catches your eye for that amount, buy it, hang it on your wall and enjoy the view; safe in the knowledge that you could afford it and fuck all to do with future emergencies

Banksy prints have been selling from POW for £200 - £300 for unsigned editions from the LA set.

You don't have to buy Banksy prints and pay lots of money, if you don't think they're worth the money (and I don't) don't buy them.

You don't have to spend $20,000 to make your self a "thoughtful person" a £50 print will do the same job.

Comparing posters to quality pieces of art is wrong though, I do think it's worth paying £50 - £300 or more for a quality screen print over £3 for a poster, likewise it's better to have a colour TV over a B&W one or a 32" over a 15". You just need to judge for yourself what something is worth to you, after you've made your choice be happy with it, what anyone else will pay for something you want to keep doesn't matter.

I think blimey that part of the issue here is that the value of these things (prints) is so not rooted in anything real. The price of art is so utterly arbitrary compared to everything else you listed as an example. Who's to say a piece of paper with ink on it is worth 200 quid or 20000 quid. The literal value of these things is almost nothing. Whereas the literal value of a car is rooted in the materials and labor etc. and REAL costs.

You do have a point especially when you start comparing luxury items to everday goods but I don't think the comparison is so cut and dry. Art and luxury goods are a differnet animal than necessity items in my opinon.

And I have art too that I bought that I wouldn't sell except for an exorbitant amount and even if it dropped to nothing I'd still like looking at it. BUT who's going to pay me a ridiculous amount of money without factoring in future value? Send em my way. I've got some things to sell.