What I Learned Buying Art on eBay + Living Room In Progress
So I told you that I have a new eBay addiction, right? Well, I got so caught up in all the excitement of bidding that I ended up buying 4 paintings in one week. (I know. I’m out of control. But that’s another topic.) Now that the paintings have arrived, I thought I’d share my experience with any other eBay newbies looking to buy art.
(This is one corner of our living room. The painting on the top is from an antique mall and the one on the bottom is from eBay.)
The four paintings came from two different galleries in Europe. Both sellers were fantastic in terms of service and communication and while I like two of the paintings a lot, the quality of the other two are not that great. I don’t hate them but let’s just say had I seen them in person, I would not have bought them. I went back and really scrutinized the seller’s photos after I received the paintings and I have to say they were accurate so this is totally on me, not the seller. So the lesson I learned is this: Study the photos of the art very, very carefully, especially the details. I thought I had but I obviously didn’t study them closely enough.
This is even more important when you’re buying from a foreign seller. Many of the sellers will accept returns but you’re responsible for shipping costs which are pretty high if it’s from overseas so it may not be worthwhile. That’s the case with me. Like I said, I don’t hate them so I’m just going to hang those two in a less prominent space.
You eBay veterans are probably thinking “duh” at this point but for the rest of you, I hope this is helpful!
As for the living room, it’s coming along. One of the things I need, as you can see, is a side table for this orange chair. Why is the right side table so hard to find?
been there…done that. Show us the losers
As a collector, I’m too embarrassed!
good to know since I haven’t started THAT addition yet
Don’t worry, I’ll get you started.
Thanks for the tips…love the “good” ones you bought!!
designchic’s last post…Party Items for Spring with Party Resources
When you first posted that you’d bought art on eBay, I was a bit uneasy for you. I actually feel that way about anyone buying art from any online source. The qualities of a work of art are just so hard to photograph accurately and the mind fills in the missing details. I definitely think this holds true more for art than for most other things.
I’ve been burned more than a few times buying clothing on eBay (not enough to make me stop of course, but enough to make me scrutinize as carefully as I can, keep my bids low just in case, and adopt a light-hearted attitude to the small percentage of purchases that don’t look the way I thought they would in real life).
redbrickbuilding’s last post…Form for headhouse copper facing
I struggle with buying art period. Thanks for this post!
Sundeep @ Designwali’s last post…Oh Tuesdayplease be nice
I love the second one!!! I have not purchased anything off ebay. I see lots of stuff I want, but I’m too scared to get it! I would love to see the other two pieces of art you purchased!
Just wanted to say thanks for that.I have shopped Ebay for quite some time, never for art.It seems if you like the piece, then it is enough.There are so many resources from unknowns to esate sales,…I have purchased from them all.
Thanks again,
Leslie
love the second painting..i haven’t caught the ebay bug yet..and ebay somehow is still pretty small in india..but i’m proud to say that i designed lots of patchwork quilt toppers ( hundreds of them..no there’s no typo here) that sold like crazy on ebay thru an american friend of mine!! maybe i need to start exploring..thanks for sharing your experience..there a lot of learning to do for some of us..have a lovely day! xx meenal
meenal @ maison marigold’s last post…They are here
Oooh, I was afraid of this when I read your previous post.
Ebay is fantastic–we have bought SO much from ebay France, US, UK (great for designer fabrics) and Germany–everything from our expensive dining room chairs (we looked for six months first) to books to rugs to watches to so many deals on clothes and shoes that I can’t count. We have only had problems TWO times–once with a counterfeit Cartier (we got our money back) and once with someone who had been dishonest about the quality of the product (a Max Mara coat). That said, art is very, very tricky as you have seen. We have bought a few pieces on ebay but only from well-established sellers with a perfect or near perfect rating and only here in France. But everyone makes a few mistakes in the beginning–it will be worth it! Don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions or ask for more photos if you have even the slightest hesitation. I have definitely seen that quite a few art sellers don’t hesitate to saturate their photos via Photoshop–something to keep in mind. And be careful, it really CAN be quite addictive!
Heather’s last post…Cricket Symphony
That’s good to know – thanks. And yes, I’m totally addicted!
I second Heather’s comment about unscrupulous sellers enhancing with Photoshop, I just returned an oil painting to a seller pointing out to her that I never would have purchased the painting if her photos had accurately represented that it was in terrible shape and “lightened” up quite a bit!!
Awe, bummer! But this corner of your living room is looking so fab.
I know what you mean about the table. The right ____ (fill in the blank) is always hard to find when you are looking. Stop looking and it will show up
Naomi@DesignManifest’s last post…cool underfoot
I too have bought art on ebay. I have been happy with most things, but there have been a few that weren’t quite right. Thank goodness I didn’t spend a fortune on it or I really would have been mad.
By the way, the canvas I won recently on your blog arrived the other day and I posted about it today if you want to see the finished product. xo
Marianne {Style For Living}’s last post…Larger Than Life
thanks so much ally. you’re great for passing this along. love this shot of your lr. donna
a perfect gray’s last post…someone elses initials
that picture is just bananas crazy good. That molding and that chair and those frames and those paintings?! I’m in love.
It’s a good point, about return costs usually being on the buyer. Buying online’s also good if you prefer buying and corresponding direct with the artist. I regularly check my monitor calibration so expect photos to look reasonably accurate, but variables neither buyer nor seller can control, like the time of day makes a big difference, the bulbs in the room, other peoples PC monitor settings are never going to be exactly the same as mine. Also, looking at the screen a few inches higher or lower, tones can be very different. All things to bear in mind, a very helpful article.