OceanosII

Over the years we've purchased three paintings through Park West. We skipped the auction (don't need that "show") and bought them outright - two Igor Medvedev and one Andrew Bone. We likely overpaid, but we're pleased with them and enjoy having them in our house - so it's all good.

 

I think we've bought all that we're going to however!

 

I thought at one point that Park West had fallen out of favor with the cruise lines following some bad press (regarding authenticity and such). I guess that it's blown over enough that the cruise lines decided that their cut was more important than reputation. ;)

 

Tom

We purchased 3 Igor Medvedev, and defintely eyeballed the Andrew Bone paintings of the lion. I have no regrets about this portion, and would do it again because we love Medvedev's work. I agree, skip the show and go into their office. I regret it now, and was confused at the time, but they put up work already purchased in office, and asked me to bid on things at prices higher than what I paid. I said to the help, "I already got that, I don't need another one." They replied, "We're just showing that these were purchased by you", as the auctioneer looked my direction. In a nutshell, I got duped into being a shill myself...

It's not about ethics, it's about money. If NCL can make a buck and use the 'partnership' agreement to avoid any bad press or responsibility, they will do it as long as the money rolls in.

Everything has a cost, including dropping the art gallery. An "ethical gallery" replacement would likely produce less revenue. The flip side of that is that NCL may lose some customers, or maintain a sector of their customer base who are more cautious. I agree that they'll do what's bringing in the money, but it can't be a win-win.

.....it's not the cruise line giving advice, Park West is their own entity, kind of like a franchise. True the cruise line allows them to sell stuff on the ship, so you know what? If no one buys from them, I don't think they would stay on the ship then.

 

wasiii

I don't believe it is a franchise, more of a partnership, or leasing agreement. Park West likely pays rent and/or commission. A mall would likely not renew a lease for a company trying to short change people, or selling some kind of fake, to avoid getting a rep as a flee market. Barnes & Noble would drop Starbucks if the quality took a drastic nose dive. Let's say an amusement park leased to a pizza stand, and the staff were unsanitary making their guests sick.

When you offer an entertainment venue, and you partner and profit from unethical behavior, where does their responsibility end and yours begin? Royal Caribbean agreed with my viewpoint....

When (if) I go to the Park West Gallery auctions, I do it for amusement only. I always take my laptop or ipad so I can do a search for some item I might be interested in. Park West often has some sports memorabilia stuff that interests me. But when I find the price for the same thing on the internet, the Park West staff stops talking to me. I do however seem to make new friends as I walk around with my laptop/ipad. Tee Hee.:p

 

Bob

Searching for Kokomo

That sounds like the smart way to do it, and you can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. We made friends too, sipped champagne, and got most of our artwork at the lower end price. The only sports memorabilia were pictures of Mohammed Ali.

We're do u go for your apples

We get our apples from an organic farmstand, in an overstock package deal.

When we have bought jewellery it wasn't for a money making scheme but because the old warship I'm married to likes it

When ur getting pearls with 18 carat gold clasp for $100 it doesn't take a genius to know ur getting value for money

Not that this is apples to applies, but we took a tour in St. Lucia with a couple that purchased self serve Ice Cream for $6 at the port. I purchased pistachio ice cream in a local store for $.30, which I'm sure tasted better than what they had. The point is, it's crazy how easy it is to get ripped off or find a deal depending on where you go.

Jewellery on the last cruises we have been on we have bought rings which when valued at home for insurance has been greater than what we paid

Also we have bought pearl necklace and braclet at $100 a time and he been valued for insurance between $750 and $1500 so I have no complaints there

But I guess like anything you buy its buyer beware lol if u get a good deal u did well if u get ripped off get over it

I don't mind high pressure sales, even mild shenanigans, but these cruise lines have no business giving investment advice, or selling fake work. It's like selling a fake Rolex, or listening to a stock broker who's doing a pump & dumb. it's not about "getting over it", it's about telling others to stay away. Royal Caribbean has already dropped Park West Gallery over the fraud situation, and Carnival and Norwegian should do the same. I can't speak for Norwegian, but Carnival's shopping seminar is unacceptable.

I don't go to the auctions nor would I buy on a cruise ship. My thought is that if I want real art then the best place to find it would be at home at a reputable dealer.

 

Over the years there has been many stories of how you get ripped off at the auctions. Its kind of like buying jewelry on the ship. If you really want it and you really like it then get it, just remember that it probably is not worth what you paid for it.

As far as the artist we love, I view it as a mistake we don't regret. We at least logged into Ebay to make sure they couldn't be purchased cheaper ($300 - $400 when you haggle with them, or $200 on Ebay unframed). We've actually purchase a couple more off the ship, and the cost is the same.

Now with the "free" painting and the 3 piece set, we were deceived, but not blameless in making sure that expenses were all disclosed. The unacceptable portion of it was pushing Peter Max frauds (2K+ each), which I got 3 sales pitches for, and having a shill win the raffle for $500 credit. These turn out to be hand picked for the person more likely to buy an expensive painting, such as the Peter Max.

Jewelry, that's another story. I met a guy who put his savings into Tanzanite gems after being told they were an instant money maker at $200 a carat. We saw them for $100 at Macy's right off the ship, and lets' not get into how much jewelry is marked up...

I just posted this for Carnival, but it applies to Norwegian as well...

Almost two years ago, we went on our first cruise on Carnival Victory. Most of what we purchased (Igor Medvedev) we're still happy with, which you can't purchase off Ebay and frame for any less. I suggest not participating in the auctions and working out deals in the sales office for 30% less than their starting auction price.

We did mistakenly purchase a set not knowing that it excluded frame/matted/shipped, and that was our fault. None the less, I view the experience less than favorable, and the "shill" raffle winner at the end was the topper. This individual started bidding on everything without caution or reaction, and the staff seamed to ignore her instead of cheerleading her.

Park West Gallery's biggest offense is selling Peter Max "unique variations", which are blatant frauds that Peter Max had never even touched. Fine Art Registry, while they've gotten into their own integrity issues this year, did pretty extensive research into the company. They had interviews with ex employees, who claimed extortion had been used to renew contracts, bullying, and unfair quota pressures. There were also allegations towards the artists themselves, claiming Park West printing more serigraphs than contracted without paying commission.

What are your Park West Gallery stories?