Park West Galleries Art Auction - Beware!

[Karlyn8]

I won 500.00 in art from the art auction on the Destiny, June 18, 2006 sailing.

 

I went to get the free champayne and take a look at some of the "tropical" pictures because I wanted to re-do my sun porch's theme to reflect my two Destiny cruises. I ended up bidding on and winning two Alex Pauker prints. The very ones I had picked out before winning the 500.00. I paid absolutely nothing for either print and had one of them framed. Both were delivered free also. Looking on the Internet I found to my surprise that I got 2600.00 worth of art for the free 500.00 that I won.

 

Park West associates were very nice and did not try to sell me anything but what I wanted. I had one of the prints framed but the other I did not - they didn't try to pressure me to also have it framed. My total for everything came to 498.00.

 

On my next Destiny cruise, June 2007, I will go to the auction and try to win another print for the bare wall I have.

[WeLuvVacation]

I won the same "grand prize". I was so excited because there was a painting I really liked. But when I finally met up with a rep I was told that I could only choose between a certain 6 paintings. All of which I didn't like. I finally picked one and then was hit with the $35 shipping fee. I went ahead and paid it with the idea of I'll just sell it when I get home! They told me it was worth $600. Now I'm smart enough to know that it's probably not worth $600....but from what I can see it's not even worth $100!!! :( Oh well.

 

If anyone out there is a Tarkay fan and would like "Morning Social" make me an offer! :D

 

Again if you were there from the start you would have found out about the shipping charges, etc.

 

No one twisted your arm to take that prize now did they?

 

And the "freebies" are always from a set aside selection.

 

Like you were really gonna get to select a $50,000. Salvador Dali original?

[bthorn1108]

Again if you were there from the start you would have found out about the shipping charges, etc.

 

No one twisted your arm to take that prize now did they?

 

And the "freebies" are always from a set aside selection.

 

Like you were really gonna get to select a $50,000. Salvador Dali original?

 

Let me clarify a few points. First off, I did not win my "Grand Prize" at the art auction, I won it in the casino, as a prize from the BJ tournament, so I was not aware, or made aware of shipping costs.

 

Secondly, I did not expect to get a $50,000 Dali original. What I did expect was to be able to get my "prize" and take it home with me, instead of being ripped off for $35 shipping fees. After all, it was a print that was going to be rolled up and shipped in a cardboard tube. Anyone with any sense knows that the cost of the cardboard tube and the postage wouldn't cost $35, so why were they charging me that much.

 

Finally, you are right, no one twisted my arm to accept my "prize",I didn't accept it. I told them they could take their "Grand Prize" and stick it where the sun doesn't shine, having me waste precious vacation time to select my "prize", only to have them try to rip me off.

[mrdood]

I told them they could take their "Grand Prize" and stick it where the sun doesn't shine, having me waste precious vacation time to select my "prize", only to have them try to rip me off.

 

Good people skills, congrats!!!

[cod]

I usually don't go, but I went to the one on the Holiday in August and won the drawing at the end which was 5 prints (or whatever the technical name is!), all large and 3 of which I really like. Supposedly, they're worth $2,500. Sure. Anyway, I went to the follow-up meeting regarding these prints not knowing what to expect. No high-pressure. They just took my address and mailed them all to me in one big tube for one $35 charge.

[SueSea]

I purchased a Peter Max serio-lithograph through Park West Galleries onboard a Celebrity ship. Prior to signing on the dotted line, I looked up the piece I like online and saw they were asking a fair price. They explained all the charges to me before I signed anything. They even told me that I would not be receiving the piece on board, but a similar one from the warehouse, and that the colors may be slightly different. Since I know that Peter Max does his lithographs in difference colors, I was not surprised at this. I received my shipment framed and signed exactly as promised. I had no problems at all with my experience.

[BBfan316]

I have purchased numerous pieces on the cruises i have been on and i too have found that i got e decent price for my choices. Do remember that the six freebies u can get for signing up for the credit card or winning by answering a question are basically worth the paper they are nprinted on because they are made in lots of 9000 or more. If you do a little research you can find that they are selling works normally at a price or less than u can recieve at internet galleries or on land. I too have cut way back on purcheses as i just dont have any more space as i also by early american works at land auctions and estate sales.

[BBfan316]

PS whover has the Tarkay i will take it for shipping charges:) I love his work and have a few hanging on my walls including one original.

[WeLuvVacation]

Let me clarify a few points. First off, I did not win my "Grand Prize" at the art auction, I won it in the casino, as a prize from the BJ tournament, so I was not aware, or made aware of shipping costs.

 

Secondly, I did not expect to get a $50,000 Dali original. What I did expect was to be able to get my "prize" and take it home with me, instead of being ripped off for $35 shipping fees. After all, it was a print that was going to be rolled up and shipped in a cardboard tube. Anyone with any sense knows that the cost of the cardboard tube and the postage wouldn't cost $35, so why were they charging me that much.

 

Finally, you are right, no one twisted my arm to accept my "prize",I didn't accept it. I told them they could take their "Grand Prize" and stick it where the sun doesn't shine, having me waste precious vacation time to select my "prize", only to have them try to rip me off.

 

Then you have no class okay!

 

You could have taken the high road and just said thanks but no thanks.

[Traveler353]

I too was on the Holiday in Aug. I bought 2 prints and won 2. I had the two that I bought appraised when I received them. One equaled the Park West appraisel and the other only slightly below. I also ended up with 3 of the smaller prints that they give to all bidders. I have had them all professionally framed and proudly they hang on my walls. I was very happy with all aspects of dealing with Park West. The tube that the prints were shipped in ($35 shipping for all) was in perfect condition when I received it, as was the prints inside. Will I buy from Park West again? If I see something that I like, yes.

[bthorn1108]

Then you have no class okay!

 

You could have taken the high road and just said thanks but no thanks.

 

Did you even read my original post? The one where I explained how they had me chasing my tail and pounding sand "waiting for their assistance". Had they told me when I won the "prize", at the casino, I would have said "thanks, but no thanks". However, they choose not to provide me with that information until after I had wasted almost 2 hours of my vacation time.

 

You don't know me or my situation, just suffice to say that I do not get very much personal time on my cruises, so I cherish my "me" time, which they wasted.

[florida cruiser girl]

I too have purchased from Park West (BTW, they are a land based gallery) with no problems and the associates have been very helpful and non-pushy.

I received my items at my home as promised in excellent condition. I of course understood that in order to get it to my home, there would be a shipping charge and had no problems paying that.

I purchased sports memorabilia..Muhammed Ali, etc. that the other people there I believe had no idea of the value or the potential future value. Therefore, I received a great price on and have followed up into looking at the value and it is way beyond what I paid there!!

Education in anything always pays off!!:cool:

[cusyl]

I won a work of art in their drawings several years ago. It was a Tarkay. My husband framed it so all it cost us was the $35. shipping. We really enjoy it, I love his work.

[TCF]

I had heard recently that Park West no longer has the contract for the 'so-called' art auctions. I tried to find it on the boards, but without success. As I recall the post it was simply that Carnival had decided to take over the "art auctions" in the same way its subsidiary Princess does their own.

In any event who runs the "auctions" is neither here nor there. The fact is that the old adage, "Buyer Beware", must be kept alive and well when looking at buying art on a cruise ship at sea!;)

My wife is an art school (university level) graduate and still does two or three pieces by commission each year. We collect art and have a modest collection. We buy only what we like and only what we can afford...we never look upon what we buy as an "investment", because unless you really know what you are doing, buying art is a dangerous way to invest your money no matter where you buy it!

We bought three pieces on the Triumph last June. We had fun doing it, but it was like no "art auction" we had ever participated in before...in fact in was "no art auction at all". We negotiatiated the prices before the auction with a PW staffer....when the piece came to easel...the "auctioneer" started the bidding... we shouted out the earlier agreed upon negotiated price and that was the end of it:eek: ...it was fun...but that was all.

A week after we got home the prints arrived in tact in the huge mailing tube as paid for and promised.

The only unpleasant part of the experience was when we went to pay for the art later that evening and the "auctioneer" tried to sell us a number of very expensive pieces...but when she found out that we were Canadian and as such did not qualify for the PW credit card we got the proverbial "bums rush" in an incredibly rude way! We were disappointed at her behaviour.

The pieces offered to us was a Rembrandt 'triptic'...three etchings of the artisits family members. The price...$25,000USD!! :eek: I cannot conceive of anyone purchasing a Rembrandt worth $25,000USD without first having an independent appraisal done of the art, to make sure it was authentic and worth the asking price. But obviously people do on occaision otherwise they would not have them on the ship!

So goto the "art auction" and have fun...it is part of the cruise experience but only buy what you like and only buy what you can afford. It would be awful to get home to find out that what you bought was really nothing more than a very high end photocopy.:eek: And yes it does happen...and yes it takes an expert to detect it!

Just some thoughts about "art auctions"

Tom:)

[SmooCruise]

Again if you were there from the start you would have found out about the shipping charges, etc.

 

No one twisted your arm to take that prize now did they?

 

And the "freebies" are always from a set aside selection.

 

Like you were really gonna get to select a $50,000. Salvador Dali original?

 

Wow....a little rude aren't you? First of all....I won it by picking up a telephone and calling in to the "Morning Show" that the CD was doing....nothing was explained. It was only my second cruise so I had no experience with the "ins and outs" of the "prizes" in the auctions. And lastly...no where in my post did I say I expected a $50,000 Dali....I was told I had won a painting worth $600....the one I liked was under that price so I thought I could pick it...once they told me I couldn't I realized I had to pick from the ones they offered. I believed them when they said it was worth $600 so I figured the $35 shipping would be worth it. I figured I could Ebay it for a couple of hundred! But when I got home and started researching I'll be lucky to get the $35 shipping out of it!

 

Anyways....I don't really appreciate your sarcastic and rude comment. I was only posting my experience so that others will know what to expect. Be nice!

[gr81]

We went partially because of this thread, and partially because of some very cool new freinds we met on board that are auction pros.

 

1. We went to the Lecture the day before. This was helpfull to a newbie. Dont go to the auction and bid if you havent gone to the lecture if your new to this. Shiping, framing, types of medium are all explained, and with our cruise, questions were asked the next day and the right answers got free posters (they dont use the word, but thats what they are, they are nice and my wife loves the 3 we got).

 

2. Ended up at the Aution a little late (slot tourney, and no I didnt win). Another bad thing if you really want something, because going the first hour is when you can "tag" the pieces you want to see up for bid. Otherwise you may see something you like but it never goes on stage.

 

3. Auction or sale, they are in it to make money, so dont expect to get a great steal. It could happen but dont expect it.

 

4. If your going for the drink, dont sign up for a bid card and just go in. Cant blame the state of mind if you cant bid.:D

 

5. If not a well versed collector, bid on what you like, not based on what you think its worth, that way you dont feel bad if you are wrong on true value.

 

6. Blind bids are fun and you dont have to buy. Just reserving the "right to". They put art up back to the audience and people hold up cards if they want to reserve the right. If you dont reserve, they "say" you cant get the price they quote before revealing the piece(s). Our auctioneer was cool, and we had just bid and won a piece a few minutes before and encouraged us to raise our card. We did, but never bought the blind piece which was a sister to the one we bought, but had we had a higher budget and been more experienced, we may have.

 

7. Keep in mind there is a buyers premium of 15% on top of the bid price and a 1% handling fee as well.

 

We went with an open mind, saw that its more of a sale than an auction, but at the same time a chance to get something that we probably wouldnt have had we not gone. We bought 2 items and won a third. Did not have framing done on any being I thought their prices were not any better than I can do on land and have more choices. On one piece I bid $160 and was highest bidder, but they had 3 to sell, and gave me and the next to cards that were bidding the piece for $95 each. Bet that P/Oed the people that gave up at 100 bucks. Shipping was $35 for all 3 in 1 tube. Because we bought something which we had to pay to ship, the free piece was truely free in this case.

 

We bought an Alexander Chen Seriolithograph of Central park that has the twin towers in the background (this is the one we got for $95). and a Peter Nixon Giclee that my wife loved. Are these going to be worth a fotune in the future, who knows, but we like em.

[crusinpsychRN]

Just off the Miracle. Someone bid $27,500 for a small Rembrandt self portrait! One slightly goofy op art style picture that had a fish in it went for $1150. Opening bid was to be $1300 but the PW reps were negotiating with the person interested and they agreed on this price before bidding. When it went up the rep very quickly said "going once, twice, you have it for $1150! Good going!" The couple who bought it were very pleased.

 

The rep repeatedly said all the art was original, not prints but they sure looked like prints to me. A few years ago I saw a piece I liked and got it for $43. It is quite large and I took it home in the cardboard tube, so no shipping etc. It cost me about $300 to frame! It's over my fireplace and looks great. I love it, but it did fall during one of our infrequent earthquakes! No damage. I'm not sure if they were Park West (3 years ago) but no complaints.

 

This time they "auctioned" spa treatment "valued at $169." Anyone who held up their card got the $169 treatment for free. I bet they all needed meds for migraines after the push in the spa to pay for just one more thing...

 

My 17 y/o son loved going which surprised me. We think we learned a little bit but the rep really came across as a slick (bad) used care salesman.

[Sgrgirl20]

My husband and I purchased a print on the conquest back in September. It was a Thomas Kincaid print and we had them frame it. The cost of the print, framing, apraisal, and shipping, was still a good bit less than having bought the print itself on our own. Great deal, great frame, and it looks great above our fire place.

[RedMWC]

I love the art auctions on the boat, my favorite thing about cruising. I've bought many prints from Park West and really never had any problems--of course I bought because I liked it, not because it was an investment.

 

My beef with Carnival running the auctions now is that there is no "cheaper" option to buy unframed art. My vacation budget can accomodate a $125 piece of unframed art to be framed at a later place and time--much harder to accomodate a $125 piece of art in a $125 frame (that I don't really care for).

 

Otherwise, I've never had problems with Carnival or Park West.

 

Just my two cents.