Do That Many People Buy Artwork Onboard?

[rick160158]

Never purchase with the idea that your making an investment. Your Not. As I read in a financial magazine, buying art on a cruise ship, has to be the Worst investment you could possibly make. I stay Clear.

[duckfannick]

We have goon for the sparking wine on several cruises. We have never purchased anything a I can buy the same art work for much less after the cruise. Get a copy of the brochure listing all the artists and there pieces later at home google the artist and piece you liked. You will find it for much less then the auction price on the ship.

[J&Dhighdesert]

We had table mates that bought a couple of paintings. She was telling us about her paintings. I was knowledgeable about the painter. The auctioneer told the group false information. Our other table mate worked in an art museum. She verified my information. As the saying goes,”buyer beware”

[iancal]

If you google Park West litigation you may get an insight into this firm.

 

Two things are given IMHO because these art auctions hang around like a bad smell. First, someone must be purchasing this stuff. Second, there must be a huge margin in it.

 

We do not bother with art auctions. Nor would we buy anything from this company.

[avian777]

Never purchase with the idea that your making an investment. Your Not. As I read in a financial magazine, buying art on a cruise ship, has to be the Worst investment you could possibly make. I stay Clear.

 

Once burned, twice smart, eh?

[Hlitner]

Given the cut-backs on entertainment, the Art Auctions might actually offer the best entertainment on the ship. Must admit that if we stop for a few minutes, we always walk away smiling and thinking...."I cannot believe all the suckers." Some of the posts in this thread are interesting because they seem to judge the quality of the auction based on the clothes worn by the auctioneer. Park West requires all of its auctioneers to dress well....and one should think of that similar to a costume worn by an actor. Its all part of the "schtict" to convince the "marks" that the art must be of the highest quality because the staff is well dressed. Even P.T. Barnum always wore expensive suits :).

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

I read a book a few years ago called Cruise Confidential, or something like that. The author was a waiter first, and then got a job as an art auctioneer. He claimed on some cruises the art sales equaled or passed the revenue of both the casino and the bar departments.

 

 

I recall Park Wes t was off the ships for some time at about the time of the litigatiion.

[sail7seas]

If the cruise lines were not making money on these art auctions, they would not be providing cab ins for the auctioneers. That is one less cabin they can sell.

Edited April 5, 2018 by sail7seas

[avian777]

Given the cut-backs on entertainment, the Art Auctions might actually offer the best entertainment on the ship. Must admit that if we stop for a few minutes, we always walk away smiling and thinking...."I cannot believe all the suckers." Some of the posts in this thread are interesting because they seem to judge the quality of the auction based on the clothes worn by the auctioneer. Park West requires all of its auctioneers to dress well....and one should think of that similar to a costume worn by an actor. Its all part of the "schtict" to convince the "marks" that the art must be of the highest quality because the staff is well dressed. Even P.T. Barnum always wore expensive suits :).

Hank

 

... proving, once again, that experience is the best teacher, eh? Sorry about your misfortune.

(BTW, does "schtict" mean the same as "shtick"? Just curious.)

Edited April 5, 2018 by avian777

[Hlitner]

... proving, once again, that experience is the best teacher, eh? Sorry about your misfortune.

(BTW, does "schtict" mean the same as "shtick"? Just curious.)

 

is that how its spelled :) ROFL But I am now thinking that when we are on our next cruise (next week) we will have to quietly ask one of the Art Auctioneers if they get a clothing allowance from their employer :).

 

Hank

[kevingastreich]

I went to an auction a few years ago. I "won" a piece of art. I had to make an appointment to get it that evening. I went and was told that they didn't have it on the ship but I could have it mailed to me for $30. No frame, just the piece of paper. I asked them if I really, truly looked stupid.

 

They didn't reply. I told them to keep the "prize".

 

Once they established what they are, I don't even walk through that area. Shame on HAL for giving them a place to prey.

I'm talking about the 8.5"X11" prints that you get for free just for showing up. They give them to you in an envelope right then and there. I've got several.

[kevingastreich]

We have never attended an art auction nor do we plan to in the future. It so obnoxious...seeing what they call “art” mucking up the ship! It was lovely...the short time Park West was not around.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Would you believe that some people actually find the "artwork" scattered around some HAL ships to be quite hideous?

[sail7seas]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Would you believe that some people actually find the "artwork" scattered around some HAL ships to be quite hideous?

 

 

I agree, we did not miss Park West when they were away from the ships i was sorry to see them return.

[Hlitner]

I'm talking about the 8.5"X11" prints that you get for free just for showing up. They give them to you in an envelope right then and there. I've got several.

 

You can print out that quality on a decent ink jet printer. They are essentially worthless. Of course you could take one of them and have it professionally framed for a few hundred dollars...and then you would have a worthless "printer quality" print in a decent frame :).

 

Hank

[OlsSalt]

I read a book a few years ago called Cruise Confidential, or something like that. The author was a waiter first, and then got a job as an art auctioneer. He claimed on some cruises the art sales equaled or passed the revenue of both the casino and the bar departments.

 

Read that same book - what a romp - fact or fiction?

 

There was an art dealer on a Crystal ship about 10 years ago who had her pieces hung all around the ship - major original pieces. She said selling "art" on cruise ships overall was a $4 billion dollar operation across the cruise ship industry. I assumed this was a mutual benefit for Crystal and the dealer since this became interior decor "decoration" in various public spaces around the ship. Later cruise on the same Crystal ship had no more public art installations.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Given the cut-backs on entertainment, the Art Auctions might actually offer the best entertainment on the ship. Must admit that if we stop for a few minutes, we always walk away smiling and thinking...."I cannot believe all the suckers." Some of the posts in this thread are interesting because they seem to judge the quality of the auction based on the clothes worn by the auctioneer. Park West requires all of its auctioneers to dress well....and one should think of that similar to a costume worn by an actor. Its all part of the "schtict" to convince the "marks" that the art must be of the highest quality because the staff is well dressed. Even P.T. Barnum always wore expensive suits :).

 

Hank

 

(bold is mine) Isn't he the one who said there's a sucker born every minute?

 

I don't go to the auctions. I sometimes see what they're flogging when I walk down the adjacent hallway, and nothing appeals to me enough to take down what's already on my walls at home. I suppose if you see something that appeals to you and you're willing to pay the price, then why not buy it. But don't consider it an investment.

[magictam]

I do attend the art auctions. I find them fun. I like anticipation of winning something for free and of course that sparkly wine is always an added perk. I have won a few pieces and I had bought a few pieces. I’ve never taken one off the ship. They have always been mailed to me after I’ve gotten home and they’ve been framed. I don’t know if they’re of any great value to anybody but me. They’re hanging up on my walls. I like them and enjoy looking at them. When I’m sitting at home and see them, they reminder of a fun times. So for me they have value.

 

 

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[ithaca gal]

I do attend the art auctions. I find them fun. I like anticipation of winning something for free and of course that sparkly wine is always an added perk. I have won a few pieces and I had bought a few pieces. I’ve never taken one off the ship. They have always been mailed to me after I’ve gotten home and they’ve been framed. I don’t know if they’re of any great value to anybody but me. They’re hanging up on my walls. I like them and enjoy looking at them. When I’m sitting at home and see them, they reminder of a fun times. So for me they have value.

 

 

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Just curious, how much do they charge for framing?

[avian777]

Just curious, how much do they charge for framing?

 

It depends on the size, material and style of the frame. :)

[Hlitner]

Just curious, how much do they charge for framing?

 

In our family the topic of framing makes DW smile...and me....well...just do nothing! Quality framing is very expensive (I am not talking about Park West quality). Last year we bought too pieces of art which are embroidered handmade paper (done by a terrific Mexican artist who was showing his work in Puerto Vallarta). DW bargained him down to $90 (US) which was a steal. But the cost to have them professionally framed at home was in excess of $500! On the other hand these are original works of art.....not giclee's or cheap copies. By the way, Park West does sell an awful lot of gicless's. They get an artist under contract (such as Leroy Neiman) and then spit out his works on high end ink jets (giclee). Consider that a 12x18 very high quality paper might cost Park West $7 or $8 (if that). They can then let an ink jet do its thing....and suddenly you have a "beautiful" "limited edition" print...which they can sell for a few hundred dollars. And there is no limit to how many they can print as its just a matter of loading the paper and hitting the button. Is there any wonder that Art Auctions make big bucks?

 

We met an art expert (makes his living evaluating estates) who told us that Giclee was a great word for ink jet prints (the same process many use at home to print anything at their computer). Art galleries realized that calling things "ink jet" copies did not work well for marketing. So they used the French word "Giclee" which suddenly made the copies sound expensive :). Have to love the art world.

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

In our family the topic of framing makes DW smile...and me....well...just do nothing! Quality framing is very expensive (I am not talking about Park West quality). Last year we bought too pieces of art which are embroidered handmade paper (done by a terrific Mexican artist who was showing his work in Puerto Vallarta). DW bargained him down to $90 (US) which was a steal. But the cost to have them professionally framed at home was in excess of $500! On the other hand these are original works of art.....not giclee's or cheap copies. By the way, Park West does sell an awful lot of gicless's. They get an artist under contract (such as Leroy Neiman) and then spit out his works on high end ink jets (giclee). Consider that a 12x18 very high quality paper might cost Park West $7 or $8 (if that). They can then let an ink jet do its thing....and suddenly you have a "beautiful" "limited edition" print...which they can sell for a few hundred dollars. And there is no limit to how many they can print as its just a matter of loading the paper and hitting the button. Is there any wonder that Art Auctions make big bucks?

 

Through the years, I have had many items framed and prices to do so were always very high.

 

We met an art expert (makes his living evaluating estates) who told us that Giclee was a great word for ink jet prints (the same process many use at home to print anything at their computer). Art galleries realized that calling things "ink jet" copies did not work well for marketing. So they used the French word "Giclee" which suddenly made the copies sound expensive :). Have to love the art world.

 

Hank

....

 

 

 

Art world, real estate world, jewelry , fashion ..... and and and :D

[ithaca gal]

It depends on the size, material and style of the frame. :)

 

Yes, that is understandable. What would the average cost of a certain size be ....... say a 24" by 24" piece ............. or any other size to make the comparison?

[tv24]

I don't understand this business at all. I can't imagine that there are many sales. And so many of the objects for sale seem fraudulent. I know one couple who has bought a few things, on luxury lines, but with great discretion and research. Otherwise, it all seems weird and silly to me. We often walk through the art displays and break into hysterical laughter over the kitsch.

[navybankerteacher]

 

...

 

On a 2,000 passenger mass market ship, it is not unusual for the Art Auction to hit $1,000,000 in sales for a 7-day cruise.

The last time I checked (yesterday) I didn't see the Art Auctioneer, or anyone else, holding a gun to the heads of the buyers. It appears that all the purchases were voluntary.

If you owned one mass market ship - or 15 - would you refuse to take that kind of money?

 

I agree that some posts are off the mark— but your claim of $1,000,000 in sales to 2,000 passengers is highly questionable. That is an average of $500 each. Or, if one quarter of the passengers bought (an unlikely high figure given the attitudes posted on this site) each of 500 gullible passengers would have spent $2,000.

 

Are you kidding? A couple traveling together spending $4,000 on “art”, after sweating about spending $2,000 on the cruise? Think it over.

[avian777]

Yes, that is understandable. What would the average cost of a certain size be ....... say a 24" by 24" piece ............. or any other size to make the comparison?

 

Given the wide variation in available frame materials (and their corresponding cost differences), I cannot give you an "average cost". However, the cost range of a 24"x24" custom-made picture frame could be anything from $200 to well into the tens of thousands of dollars - it all depends on the material you choose for the frame.