I just got a call from art-exchange.com

claudine · #1 10-05-2001, 11:18 AM

Hi guys

I just got a call at my work from a representive of http://art-exchange.com/index.cfm

Anyone know of this? Anyone here work with them?

She told me that they are a company that does direct sales od original paintings, prints and sculpture to decorators and galleries etc. They take 10% commission and then they have a listing fee of $20 per image.

She seemed very nice, and the site seems like it might actually be a legit service. But I am so wary of scams. I'm actually so scam paranoid that it takes me forever to decide whether or not soemthing is legit.

I would like your thoughts or experiences with this company.

thanks for your help!
~Claudine

timelady · #2 10-05-2001, 05:04 PM

Hmmm. they also have a $100 set up fee according to their site. So $100, plus $20 per image, plus 10% commission. I wouldn't pay for it personally, but I don't know the company.

Tina.

arteitaliana · #3 10-05-2001, 09:12 PM

Don't fall for it Claudine. I also got a call few month back. If you do a search on WC you may find the thread where I asked axactly what you are asking now. They are very nice but very insistent.They charge you to represent your art.
They will ask you for a minimum of 25 images and charge you $500 for it. It's a scam. No reputable agent will ask for money up front.
Sorry to burst you bubble.....

claudine · #4 10-06-2001, 01:23 PM

thanks guys! I had feeling there was a catch!
I'm very wary of scams and schemes and I thought they sounded too good to be legit.

Plus I thought it was weird that they called me at work. They must have done some research to find my work number. I don't have that posted anywhere.

thanks again!
~Claudine

jhusel · #5 10-08-2001, 10:52 AM

Hey Claudine, I have been contacted by them alot actually. They are very nice and pretty persistent. If you will "haggle" with them long enough you can get them to 'make you a deal'. They offered to cut down the price and number of pieces to something like: $100 for 15 pieces.

I don't know if this is a normal thing they do but they have been known to do it. The bad thing to me is once I sell one, I can't replace the image of the one just sold. I have to buy yet another slot for $25. I guess you could just mark up your piece 10% + $25 and make that your price.

I have been thinking about doing it, but I can't make up my mind.

Jason

artwoman1 · #6 10-08-2001, 09:15 PM

I just got a call from them too. They went through the list of artists for the Chicago Art Open (caconline.org). I am very skeptical. Artists with a large reputation pay nothing for a posted image. Us unknowns are footing the bill with our fees. I also asked for a list of references from other artists. They sent me a list of five—3 publishers, 1 artist, and artist's agent. No e-mail addresses.Just phone addresses and phone #s. I have asked for another of just independent artist only, So far no reply.

jhusel · #7 10-08-2001, 09:47 PM

They told me that they were going to be at the Decor Art Market in Atlanta this past month, but it was cancelled due to the September 11th tradegy. I was really looking forward to checking them out. They talk a big game, but so did my last "agent" and I would never deal with him again!!@#!%@#

jhusel

arteitaliana · #8 10-08-2001, 10:31 PM

Whae people are so persistent...I always smell a rat. They mostly sell prints of famous artists.
Let's face it: if your art is good and marketable, you don't need them, if your work on the other hand is not so marketable ...they will not do anything for you other than pocket some of your money.

Sumafra · #9 10-08-2001, 10:36 PM

I think the important thing here is 'what do you get for your money?' Is this just a listing service? Are they making money from artists paying listing fees? Do they advertise their site and will they bring buyers to you? The bottom line is always, will it get you sales? It's very nice to be listed but will it pay off? there are many places on the net where you can list your paintings for free. For the most part, you don't get sales from them. Is this one different? I kind of doubt it. It would be interesting to hear from someone who actually has dealt with them for a while.

pixelscapes · #10 10-11-2001, 12:16 PM

As usual, I gotta say -- if they were really focused on actually selling your artwork, then they would make their money from selling your artwork.

(Like art-agent.com)

I would never pay a "listing fee" to a random online place like that. Sure you could mark up your prices by 10% + $25... BUT, they would still HAVE your $25, and it may be that that's all they were really looking for.

Just find a real gallery that will take your work, and they'll sell on commission ONLY. I would rather have a gallery take 25% or even 50% if I knew they were actually focused on getting my work out to art collectors, anyway. And you still might make the same net amount, since galleries can charge more... and they can charge more because (big surprise!) galleries are more reputable than these other online venues. Imagine that.

-=- Jen "Suspicious" de la Cruz

leesmith · #11 10-12-2001, 10:35 AM

These people must be desperate... I got a call this morning, on the caller id box 501 624 1044 but she left an 800 number for me to call back which I didn't.

I'm not paying anybody to post images. It might be OK if they actively promoted your art. IF they could furnish details and references of sales directly related to their involvement.

jhusel · #12 10-12-2001, 11:03 AM

The last time they called me and put on their "sales" pitch, I asked him to put his money where his mouth was (in a nice way).

After listening to how fast he could move my work and how much money I could make from them, I said:

"I'll tell you what I'll do! Instead of paying you the money up front for you to post my work, why don't you post them and once a piece sells you can take the $150 out of my check?"

Needless to say, he couldn't do that. So if he is not confident in their sales, why would he expect me to be?

jhusel

Sumafra · #13 10-12-2001, 11:29 PM

Great answer, JHusel. That put him back in his place. Wish I'd thought of it.

vallarta · #14 10-13-2001, 05:55 PM

I'll make you a better deal for you.

Send me $100 or your first born...whatever comes sooner....and I will advertise your work (without further cost) in an Afgahan paper.

So is it my fault it got hit with a bomb???????

hehehe
vallarta

There is always a guy willing to pick your pocket....so why bother with him...pick your own pocket and save the difference.

Rainy · #15 11-10-2001, 07:47 PM

Well, call me stupid, call me dumb, but I decided to give it a try. They offered to set it up and put the immages on the site, 10 images for $150. No other fees unless there's a sale, then 10%. From the sounds of what you all have had to say, if they go after the art buyers as hard as they have the artist's maybe it won't be all bad. Meanwhile I could loose 100 bucks. I just hope nothing screwey happens with my credit card number. The poor just get poorer I guess. Well, I'll let you know how it goes.

Salute to our Partners