A Park West Story

[Truluv]

Reporting on a recent experience. I've always been one of those people who enjoy watching the art auctions, and sometimes I buy something if I like the piece and want a souvenir of the trip.

 

I purchased a Peter Max on a 8/21 RCL trip as a gift for one of my adult-kids who had liked it on a prior cruise. When it arrived at my home, it wasn't in the frame or mat that I had ordered. The kid was ok with the framing so I didn't complain. I didn’t receive the appraisal. (However, I was bombarded with emails from fedex about deliveries from Miami to Titusville. I called Fedex, which provided info to determine that these were Park West shipments. I reported the fact I was receiving notice of its deliveries to Park West, and the Fedex emails stopped.)

 

I followed up with Park West about the appraisal on 10/23. I mentioned the problem with the frame, just so they'd know about the problem. After all, this piece cost more than the cruise. Customer Service told me that they'd replace the frame if I wished, which was an acceptable response. I didn't take advantage of that offer. They also promised that I'd receive the appraisal in 7-10 business days.

 

I didn't receive the appraisal, so I sent another follow-up to Park West this week. This time I called, in addition to sending an email. I haven't received a response to the email. On the phone, the customer service representative told me that a new appraisal was ordered on 10/29. This time I was told that it would take 6-8 more weeks for the appraisal to be sent out.

 

I told him that I was dissatisfied with my experience with this purchase, describing the wrong frame/mat, all of the fedex emails, and the fact the appraisal was taking so long to arrive from an 8/21 cruise. This rep said it was fedex’s fault I was bombarded with emails about unrelated Park West deliveries in Florida. And I could hear his eyes rolling on the phone, if you know what I mean by that -- about as phony a "I am sorry about your experience with Park West but we're doing everything we can to satisfy you." as you could get.

 

My experiences with Park West were ok up to now. There are enough other places to spend money (Diamond International here I come LOL) or buy art, and I won't spend thousands with a company that has poor follow-up service. I don't care about meeting Peter Max at an aucion in Ashville a few months...just handle a darn sale and follow up service properly.

[Cruise a holic]

I have read about galleries on ships selling inexpensive but good copies of prints that are sold for hundreds of dollars but not really limited editions. I would suggest that you purchase your art at home. The prints are probably worth $10 on board and do any framing at home. Do not be fooled by a glass of Free sparkling wine.

[matj2000]

I can't believe you actually bought one of the things......

[BillOh]

 

I. After all, this piece cost more than the cruise.

 

Ok, I'm breaking a lot of my own rules here. I normally avoid certain topics like art auctions.

 

Even approaching 25k posts, I don't reply to every topic and I rarely post just to make a smart @ss remark.

 

That said, I hope this was a 4 day majesty cruise.. OUT.

[alfaeric]

And right now it will be really funny that there will be more people over here complaining about Park West than in the casino thread complaining that people are throwing away their money.

 

At least with art, when you spend $1000, you have something at home to look at- regardless of the value. Whereas the Casino takes it all and keeps it. Maybe you have a nice key chain to look at.

 

To the OP- you still have time to send it back if you are that unhappy.

[Cruise a holic]

Send it back and let us all know if you get a full refund or a credit. While I agree, many people waste money at the casino- same is true at the art auctions.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks

[novicetraveller]

I would prefer to spend my money in a Casino than on the Art Auctions, at least I know what I am getting with a Casino.

[alfaeric]

Send it back and let us all know if you get a full refund or a credit. While I agree, many people waste money at the casino- same is true at the art auctions.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks

 

Look at the investments that RCI puts into each. One has a BIG section of floor that is open 100% of the time when not in port. Lots of money spent there.

 

Art auctions happen 3-4 times on a 7 night cruise, only for a few hours at a time.

 

Logically, the casino brings in far more money than the art auction does.

 

And when you look at on land- while Park West's facilities are not a small shop on a corner, they are tiny compared to any decent backed casino. PW is pretty much the MGM of the art world in terms of size. And it's easy to see the difference between MGM and PW.

 

Sure, you may not be getting what you paid for, but you got something. Far more people lose money at casinos than that.

 

And not only do people not complain about it, they pretend that they have a method of beating the casinos. Funny.

[Cruise a holic]

Actually I prefer the Jewelry store- if you by a name brand- you know exactly what you are getting and paying for it.

[DISFANS3]

Buy at home...

[ramja96]

I love how people love to criticize others for purchasing art from PW as "throwing their money away". I have several PW pieces in my home (15 to be exact - from prints, to canvas giclees, to original paintings) and I don't feel as though I have thrown away a single penny. Of course, I didn't buy my PW art as an investment, as some people foolishly do. I bought all my art because I liked it. Art is a very personal thing (especially for me, since I am an amateur artist) and effects everybody differently. So don't belittle someone else for purchasing from PW - it's their money to choose what to do with.

Edited November 17, 2016 by ramja96

[ramja96]

OH! And to the OP on the subject of the appraisal(s) ...... be patient, it will come. I'll agree, they do take quite a while.

[alfaeric]

I love how people love to criticize others for purchasing art from PW as "throwing their money away". I have several PW pieces in my home (15 to be exact - from prints, to canvas giclees, to original paintings) and I don't feel as though I have thrown away a single penny. Of course, I didn't buy my PW art as an investment, as some people foolishly do. I bought all my art because I liked it. Art is a very personal thing (especially for me, since I am an amateur artist) and effects everybody differently. So don't belittle someone else for purchasing from PW - it's their money to choose what to do with.

 

Careful with the nice words- someone is going to accuse you of working for Park West. :D

[tlatrice]

I love how people love to criticize others for purchasing art from PW as "throwing their money away". I have several PW pieces in my home (15 to be exact - from prints, to canvas giclees, to original paintings) and I don't feel as though I have thrown away a single penny. Of course, I didn't buy my PW art as an investment, as some people foolishly do. I bought all my art because I liked it. Art is a very personal thing (especially for me, since I am an amateur artist) and effects everybody differently. So don't belittle someone else for purchasing from PW - it's their money to choose what to do with.

 

 

 

I agree with this! Is the 'casino vs art auction' debate really a thing? Wow!

 

If one wants to spend their money in the casino, fine. If one wants to spend it on art, that's fine too! I've had people tell me I'm wasting money by booking a balcony. But I like balconies so I do it. What's it to the next guy what one chooses to spend their vacation dollars on?

[alfaeric]

I agree with this! Is the 'casino vs art auction' debate really a thing? Wow!

 

If one wants to spend their money in the casino, fine. If one wants to spend it on art, that's fine too! I've had people tell me I'm wasting money by booking a balcony. But I like balconies so I do it. What's it to the next guy what one chooses to spend their vacation dollars on?

 

It's not so much of a debate, but pointing out the hypocrisy of the two. It's always been "art auctions = bad" vs. "casinos = GREAT"- when one takes a LOT more money from passengers than the other, in the opposite direction of the "feeling."

 

That's all.

 

I don't care if people blow their money in any manner. I just find it funny how people are so concerned about art vs. not at the casino.

[Cruise a holic]

I agree that if you make a purchase with your eyes wide open and buy something you like- why not- However, I do not like if people are taken advantage of and think they are buying a valuable original work of art. To each his/her own as to what makes them happy. Having purchased fake jewelry in Cancun that was sold to me as real, I understand what it is like to experience paying over the real value of the item. Fortunately I reported the incident to my credit card company and got my money back, but it was aggrevating.

Edited November 17, 2016 by Cruise a holic

[alfaeric]

I agree that if you make a purchase with your eyes wide open and buy something you like- why not- However, I do not like if people are taken advantage of and think they are buying a valuable original work of art. To each his/her own as to what makes them happy. Having purchased fake jewelry in Cancun that was sold to me as real, I understand what it is like to experience paying over the real value of the item. Fortunately I reported the incident to my credit card company and got my money back, but it was aggrevating.

 

Again, as opposed the very blatant being taken advantage of in the casino. This is a place if you use a great mind and strategy, you can be kicked out for turning the tables for you.

 

Also, we have the internet. It's REALLY easy to find information. Heck, for the op's example, you can even go to Peter Max's site to see how much his stores are selling it for.

[ramja96]

I do not like if people are taken advantage of and think they are buying a valuable original work of art.

 

I'm not saying you're making this claim, but I have heard people say things to this affect before - that PW misleads/misinforms buyers of a painting's status (Print, Lithograph, Giclee, Original, etc.) but that's simply not true. PW is always very clear about each artwork's type of media. It all comes down to a buyer paying attention to what they're paying for. Granted, PW is really good at getting a crowd excited, they are in the business of selling after all. ;) But they're also really, REALLY good at informing people as to what makes the various forms of media more "valuable" over others. They can also be a great learning experience, historically speaking.

[Cruise a holic]

Just a suggestion. Google park west gallaries lawsuits and fraud

[ramja96]

Just a suggestion. Google park west gallaries lawsuits and fraud

 

Yes, their legal disputes are well documented. I don't deny that they exist, but I can only speak from my own experiences, which have always been very positive and enjoyable. Of course, I would never spend tens of thousands of dollars on a cruise ship art auction, either. :rolleyes:

[cruisinck]

DH and I avoided the art auctions for years. Two years ago we were walking by and saw a painting we liked by an artist we knew. This was a signed numbered painting with a low number. I went on the internet to find out what the going prices were. We bid and got the price we wanted. So after about 8 weeks the piece came and it was not the one that we bought but a higher number one. I immediately called and they said that they would get the one that we wanted off the ship and have it delivered to us. They had FEDEX come and pick up the one they sent and about 2 weeks later we had the one we bought. We also have several pieces from them and are happy.

 

With anything know what you are buying.

[setsail]

How do they appraise something that has multiple copies. It seems to me that people would just look this stuff up online with their online voom before buying and you would see what it's worth or after you get home

 

 

https://wanderwisdom.com/transportation/Is-Cruise-Ship-Art-Valuable

Edited November 17, 2016 by setsail

[BecciBoo]

Park West has been a pet peeve of mine for years, it really urks me to see people think they're getting something of value when they aren't. It's probably why they have not sent your "appraisal"....no 2 art dealers will ever agree on the "true value" of a piece. Remember, it's really only worth what someone will pay for it...same with jewelry, so be careful with cruise jewelry too!

 

I once advised my MIL not to purchase a Cozumel "Tanzanite" (to the tune of $400+) when I knew it had to be lab created, there were many more of that design in every shop in the cruise port. Later she bought herself a cheap spectroscope and found out for herself it was not genuine. What was it P.T.Barnum said, oh yes, "there's a sucker born every minute". And we have all helped that statement be valid, haven't we....

 

When you Google Peter Max prints, you have on one page alone, dozens of sources with prices from $6500 to $12 for the same exact work, some claiming it is the original and others just a print. If that doesn't tell you something, nothing will. After all, there can't be that many originals.;)

 

If its one of his pieces that you like and just want it on your wall, save the money and book another cruise and buy the $12 print, frame it yourself and let people who visit decide for their selves how much you paid.:D;)

Edited November 17, 2016 by BecciBoo

[Charger2008]

I love how people love to criticize others for purchasing art from PW as "throwing their money away". I have several PW pieces in my home (15 to be exact - from prints, to canvas giclees, to original paintings) and I don't feel as though I have thrown away a single penny. Of course, I didn't buy my PW art as an investment, as some people foolishly do. I bought all my art because I liked it. Art is a very personal thing (especially for me, since I am an amateur artist) and effects everybody differently. So don't belittle someone else for purchasing from PW - it's their money to choose what to do with.

 

I was just thinking the same thing. I have purchased jewelry in several ports, I have purchased Park West art (because I liked it, not as an investment), I have purchased the booze packages, photo packages, stayed in expensive suites, spent money in the casino and NONE of that was a "waste of money" nor was I "throwing my money away" because it was what I wanted. My money, my cruise vacation, my choice :)

 

Heck, I have a sewing machine that cost more than some motorcycles (not Harleys of course) and that is again, my choice :D It's okay folks if people want to spend their money the want they see fit :)

[Truluv]

Interesting posts. Enjoyed the casino points of view too - it just so happened that I walked away from the casino on this cruise with nearly $1,000 won on slots - I usually budget a loss of $100-$200 for slots before I stop visiting the casino, so winning was a surprise.

 

I agreed with the tip on buying name-brand jewlery as a souvenir. I asked about one of the used Rolex watches on board the 8/21 (Freedom) cruise. I was told its price was $8K, but the RCL jewlery store was selling it for "only" $6K. Funny, I paid $2.8K for the same Rolex watch in Curacao on a cruise about 15 years ago (not as an investment though - heck, if I wanted to make money I'd invest it, not buy stuff)...but I'm off track, and still annoyed with Park West's poor customer service.

Edited November 17, 2016 by Truluv