Art Auction on board

[gary222]

Has anybody got good experience of buying art from the art auctions on board NCL ?

 

Can you really get some good bargains? I read somewhere that it's all a bit of a 'scam', but surely NCL wouldn't allow any kind of disreputable art auction operations on board exploiting Cruisers who might be slightly naive - would they?

[Lupush]

I have bought quite a few pieces from Park West. Everything that I've gotten has appreciated in value. The key is you must be educated and do your research prior to getting on the ship. My wife and I are pop art and art deco collectors Romero Britto, Erte, Michael Godard, Lebo, some Dali just to name a few. If you know art, Ebay is a great resource to get a barometer for trending prices. As long as you're knowledgable there are good deals to be had.

[flipper32]

Its certainly not a scam, people constantly complain that they see cheaper prices on eBay. In many cases that's true, for readily available prints there is a large secondary market that typically is cheaper. Its like anything else if you buy something that you have no idea about, you have a better chance of making a mistake. Also too many people buy art as if they are buying an investment, you buy what you love and hope it goes up in value.

[MikeBTN]

My parents love these things. Personally, I don't get it. But yes, they've gotten some fairly good deals. Many of the offerings are prints with some hand-painted elements, so they're worth more than a print, but not as much as an 'original'. They've also won numerous "free" paintings (they have to pay for shipping, handling, and often pay for framing). Some of the lots will be "mystery" lots, and they'll give you an opportunity to view the painting and decide if you want it or not.

 

Would I buy anything here as an investment? No. But they have some nice art at reasonable prices. If you like something you see, go for it. Plus you'll get some free champagne (if you don't have UBP)

[BrandoMan13]

You can get a good deal but you have to pay the artist an 18% gratuity.

[gknep]

My wife and I usually buy one or two pieces each cruise. We are not investment buyers or serious collectors in any sense of the word. We buy what we like and have never felt scammed in any way. Over the years we have 'won' a few pieces during auctions and paid the shipping. When friends see our house for the first time they always compliment our art and wonder where we got it. I expect that by this time next week we'll have bought another couple pieces.

[mtsnd1900]

Investment, no

Expendable cash and see something you like, perhaps

use the internet to find land-based galleries and see what their price is

 

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/09/27/guide-to-cruise-ship-art-auctions.html

 

don't get caught up in the moment

don't fall for the salesman's pitch - if using the words 'retirement portfolio", "investment", “unique and collectable” or "appraises for 3x the sales price", they are scamming. Also, the shills in the crowd who are there to just drive up the price. (If they win, you can still buy it at your highest price because we happen to have 2, imagine that.)

 

If you got the time, money, and like the piece, spend away. Some people think placing bets on a ball going around a wheel, or cards totaling 21 (because their system works!) is a sure-fire investment. Me.. I will take the free drink, and enjoy some music with money in my bank account.

 

BTW, do a google on PARK WEST SCAM, or PARK WEST LAWSUIT for more info.

 

Excellent summary here http://www.travel-golf.org/t_cruise_art_auctions_scam_fraud.htm

Edited August 18, 2016 by mtsnd1900
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[gary222]

You can get a good deal but you have to pay the artist an 18% gratuity.

 

Is that service charge applicable on all art purchased or just on originals?

 

What about prints that with a genuine limited edition artists signature ?

[tempus137]

I have bought quite a few pieces from Park West. Everything that I've gotten has appreciated in value. .

 

I bought a print on my December POA cruise & the way I look at it, it has appreciated in value by 300% in less than 3 months.

 

The winning bid was $70. Then they added $35 shipping & a $35 appraisal fee. So now the value is $140 (100% increase). When I got the print, it cost another $140 for framing. So value now $280 (a 300% increase).

[westcoastman]

I think for the most part these are a scam but mostly from my experience with other cruise lines. Was someone who won the "free" print through a drawing but thought the "framing" and "Shipping" cost alone was not worth it for FREE. I know Park West is subject of lawsuits over cruise auctions for many years but if you have money to burn...and they do try to make the auctions fun and unnecessarily competitive after loading you up on champagne. I think the worse of their egregious fraud is over now from back in 2008 but whatever. I avoid the cruise auctions like the plague now.

Edited August 18, 2016 by westcoastman

[Laszlo]

Do a google search fro "Park West".........https://www.yelp.com/biz/park-west-gallery-southfield

[gknep]

Been to 6 or so auctions on NCL since 2002. I have never seen anything go for more than the opening bid. I've never seen two parties bidding on the same thing and driving up the price. The ones I've been to you can put a little tag on the pieces you are interested in before the bidding starts. If you look halfway serious one of the auction workers will let you know how much the minimum bid is and then if you are really serious you can actually pre do some of the paperwork. It becomes one of the pieces in the auction and you raise your bidder number and get it for the pre-announced minimum bid. When I first went in 2002 there was a 15% buyers premium added to some things. The last auction I attended in 2014 the 15% buyers premium had disappeared, although I expect that it was just added into the minimum bid. In any case, I have read the nightmare stories some people have experienced, my experience with Park West has never been less than satisfactory. Your milage may vary of course.

[Frick_&_Frack]

I've been to quite a few :eek:

 

I have a number of pieces that I love. I can't attest to their "value"; however, DH and I always purchased what made us happy.

 

I can honestly say, that every single time I look at them, I have fond memories of the cruise involved - and that is priceless to me. :)

[retired rascal]

Check out how many places this gallery is conducting auctions simultaneously. Do you know any REPUTABLE gallery that has an inventory of that many good pieces that they can be showing 100's of items virtually daily in so many different venues. If you buy something, take it to an appraiser recommended by a museum. Buyer beware.

[SteveH2508]

I bought a print on my December POA cruise & the way I look at it, it has appreciated in value by 300% in less than 3 months.

 

The winning bid was $70. Then they added $35 shipping & a $35 appraisal fee. So now the value is $140 (100% increase). When I got the print, it cost another $140 for framing. So value now $280 (a 300% increase).

 

Sorry to rain on your parade but your print has cost you 300% more. Its value is only what someone would pay you for it. If you can get $280 for it when you resell it then it has appreciated in value, otherwise its value is the price you get.

 

However, if you like it and it gives you pleasure then its value is priceless.

[CPD050]

As probably said before, do not buy as an investment. Buy what you love and can afford. I have purchased quite a few pieces and never jumped at the first price or allowed myself to be pressured to buy. Also educate yourself. Prints, originals, one of a kinds are all terms they use and don't be confused about what each means. If you are interested in a purchase, you can always hold off and jump on the Internet for research. If you do buy, they have some of the best framing I have ever seen and its shipped via FedEx, signature required and fully insured so no worries. If you purchase a one of a kind, it may take up to 12 weeks to receive it due to having to unload from the ship, ship to Miami for re-framing and shipping it to you.

 

I have never been disappointed with park west

[rguy123]

Please check Park West scams.

[Lupush]

I will say that I never get their appraisals, those are just complete BS. They add no more value to the piece than you or I saying it's worth $xxxx.xx

[casofilia]

We won a raffle of a free print; yippee then BUT..........

 

We went to pick up our prize as we have done a few times when we have won a raffle prize here in NZ and in Canada.

 

BUT.........

 

"We can't carry the prizes on board ship, they have to be sent from Miami." "Can we pick it up when we dock in Miami?" "No, it has to be sent!" "Free postage and packing?" "Yes in the contiguous United States." "How much to New Zealand?". "USD75."

 

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!! To me that is NOT a fair and free raffle.

 

 

I must admit after lots of moaning to NCL and Park West that PW did send the print to us at no cost.

 

Please do NOT call the sparkling "wine" that you get at the auctions Champagne, the French would have a fit; it is very "cheap and nasty".

[gary222]

 

....they are scamming. Also, there are shills in the crowd who are there to just drive up the price...

 

Gosh...how does a respectable Cruise Line such as NCL cover themselves by promoting an auction house that engages in shill bidding?

[SteveH2508]

Gosh...how does a respectable Cruise Line such as NCL cover themselves by promoting an auction house that engages in shill bidding?

 

Because PW pay to be on board and NCL might get some commission - it's all down to $$$$$. P T Barnum summed it up.

 

I won't bite discussing the word respectable in this context.

[gary222]

So shill bidding at auctions is legal in international waters?

[Frick_&_Frack]

Gosh...how does a respectable Cruise Line such as NCL cover themselves by promoting an auction house that engages in shill bidding?

 

In all the ones I've been to (and, again, a LOT), I haven't personally witnessed any of that behavior.

 

Though, as with all things, YMMV.

[westcoastman]

Gosh...how does a respectable Cruise Line such as NCL cover themselves by promoting an auction house that engages in shill bidding?

 

Every cruise line does it. Does that make it right? I know Disney may have taken a hit to its squeaky clean image over it in the name of the immense dollars they get out of it. I just ignore and move along, and similar to the casino, figure you are subsidizing my free drink package or my $150 per person Bahamas cruise. The buyers are same people that attend those diamond store shopping "seminars" on the ship.

[CPD050]

There are no shills in the audience driving up the price....

This comment must be from someone who never went to one of the events and just talking out their back side. It's not really an auction. During viewing and prior to the "auction" , if you see a piece you like then you get a price from one of the employees. If you want to buy it, tell them and it will be brought up for auction. When your piece comes up, you "bid" the price quoted and buy the piece. Only once have I scene a bidding war on a one of a kind piece. It started at about $20,000 and sold for around 25,000. No shills, just a very nice dentist and retired lawyer who loved a piece and had the money. A Famous artist and like I said, one of a kind. Most pieces are not one of a kind so they can sell to several people at the quoted prices.