Buy art your how to guideThe advantages in buying art online

 

  1. The impact of a new idea
  2. Lower prices
  3. Speed and security
  4. Convenience
  5. Variety
  6. Tax advantages
  7. Discretion and flexibility
  8. More nurturing: less elitist
  9. More benefits and even a few things for free...

 

 

 

There is no defense against the impact of a new idea!

 
    Illustration by Cameron Singleton

     

    While the Internet is changing how we view and interact with the world, some pockets of traditional business such as the art world, are failing to embrace the advantages this new technology makes available. This hesitancy allows us to offer you a whole package of benefits which are just not available through a traditional gallery structure. Below are a few of the more significant benefits.

 

 

 

Lower prices

 

In conjunction with our artists we can offer prices up to 40% (sometimes more) below that of our competitors. How does this work?

 

    Lower commissions mean lower prices

     

    The traditional business model for galleries is representation and commission, where the gallery seeks to be the commercial outlet for the artist and takes 25%, 33%, or 50% in commission for this service. For the artist to make a reasonable amount, this commission is added to the final price paid by you. Be aware, that most online art sellers use this same traditional business model which results in one of the 'Net's largest potential benefits not being passed on to you.

     

    Auction houses will also charge a buyer's commission and a seller's commission which can add upto 25% to the actual sale price of a work.

     

    Artsales.com.au by contrast, charges a low 10% commission (helping to cover our secure online merchant services and running costs), which allows our artists to price their works lower while still making the same or larger profits. This extra 40% often goes straight back into your pocket.

     

     

    Long term strategies mean lower prices 

     

    Artsales.com.au provides artists and resellers with a strategy for sustainable long-term marketing as part of our pricing guide, which explains how lower pricing can work to an artist's long-term advantage. This is the position we encourage, and choosing these artists will provide you with better buying opportunities. Of course, some sellers will take this advice and others may not.

     

     

    Amateurs and emerging artists testing the market mean lower prices 

     

    Because Artsales.com.au is not selectively based, many beginning and emerging artists who may have difficulties breaking into the commercial gallery circuit, can show their work and accelerate their careers through offering low starting prices. This also provides better buying opportunities for you.

     

    If you are interested, you can click here to read our artist's guide for pricing works.

 

 

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Speed and security

 

You can have an entire transaction completed in a matter of minutes, safely and securely.

     

    By using a credit card, any transaction that's not exactly what you agreed to can be easily cancelled. Simply contact your credit card company, follow their instructions, and the funds will not be withdrawn from your bank account.

     

    Apart from third party protection through credit card companies, how safe are we?

     

    Artsales.com.au uses 128 bit encryption, the same as used by the United States military and currently considered unbreakable. These measures protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. When you place an order online, your personal information and credit card information are encrypted (scrambled) using this technology before being sent over the Internet. This makes it virtually impossible for your information to be stolen or intercepted while being transferred through cyberspace (the Internet). All orders are kept encrypted until they're ready to be processed.

     

    When you proceed to the online checkout, your browser will automatically be switched from our regular server a special secure server. This can be verified by the "https" displayed in your browsers address field as shown in the image below:

     

    At key points throughout the transaction, users will be alerted that their compute'rs unique IP address and location is being logged and recorded with the transaction and that we take fraud attempts seriously. Artsales.com.au also has real time fraud detection programmes in place.

     

    In addition to this, the various merchant services we offer have their own security measures.

 

 

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Convenience

 

Browse, buy and be kept in touch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from virtually anywhere in the world.

 

    Unlike galleries, the Web never shuts. It's accessible from virtually anywhere, and now you can be alerted whenever new content is added to the site. This is thanks to the convenience of RSS (Really Simple Syndication), a standard form of communication in all new browsers, which is like a cross between a news ticker and e-mail without the need to supply an email address.

     

    Imagine having your own personal gallery director who lets you know whenever any interesting new art comes in. That's the beauty of RSS. You can get the full story here.

     

    You can also have e-mail notification for new postings of specific types of work or new postings by a favourite artists. There'll also be a newsletter, and blogs for discussing all things art. One of our aims is to develop a complete online art community that is friendly, educational and always there.

 

 

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Variety

 

Bargain hunt through our full range of art, or switch to viewing only investment and high quality works.

 

    This service will be available in the near future.

     

    Artsales Select is a subscription based curated service for clients without the time or perhaps the inclination to browse the contents of the entire site, preferring instead, to view works specially selected with an eye to artistic merit and longer term market value.

 

 

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Tax advantages

 

Save 7-10% on sales tax.

 

    Buying outside of state or national borders can often mean that local sales taxes are not applicable, a saving generally of 7-10% on the sale price. Clients outside of Australia for example, would not be subject to a Goods and Services Tax (GST), just as a client outside of Britain buying a work by a British artist would not be subject to that countries Value Added Tax (VAT).

 

 

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Discretion and flexibility

 

Enjoy the privacy of the internet

 

    Some of our clients wish to maintain their privacy and that of their collections. Dealing online has anonymous advantages and client purchases are always kept strictly confidential. Payment options such as e-mail funds transfer can further enhance this option.

 

 

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More nurturing: less elitist

 

No frowns or disapproving looks: here you enjoy art the way you want to

 

    Art should be for everyone but the exclusive nature of many galleries and auction houses can intimidate buyers and artists alike and, until the advent of the 'Net, much of the population would rarely enjoy the opportunity to view and own, or be educated about, many of the art works that are continually available.

     

    A conversation I had with a childhood friend, about how enjoyable galleries are, led to the comment that he never went to galleries because “they were boring places for rich snobs”. The look on my face must have been obvious because he was quick to point out that he wasn't talking about me. Through my eyes, the art world is an endlessly inspiring fantastic experience but through his, it's a dauntingly exclusive place: austere galleries displaying precious, expensive works, often overseen by dismissive gallery directors, which he pointed out to me, left him and lots of others, feeling financially uncomfortable or scared of saying the wrong thing.

     

    My friend's perspective was an eye-opener to the need for friendlier, easier and cheaper access to art for everyone, and a knowledge base so people to learn about art in the comfort of their own environment. This site is designed to remove the traditional barriers to entry, letting some of the hot air out and hopefully, having a few fresh breezes blow through.

     

    By removing these barriers, the 'Net is establishing a broader market with new players. The game just got bigger and now everyone can play.

 

 

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More benefits

 

    Protection

    •Sales history and buyer feedback: you can find this at the top of each gallery and product page. How collectable is this artist, what have their prices done and what have other buyers experienced when dealing with them? All useful information for making an informed purchase.

    •Secure purchasing facilities:

    •14 or 21 day money back guarantees

     

    Guides and tools

    •An online magnifying glass

    •A 'how will it look' facility

    •'Show a friend' and 'personal wishlist' facilities

    •Our guide to 'Which art is right for you?'

    •And we will soon offer gift vouchers as part of our service

     

     

Even a few things for free

    The art world's getting bigger, and we intend to give you the big picture, but right now we also offer the little pictures: free art in various electronic formats for you to look at, play with, jazz up your computer and personalize your online communications. What do they look like and how do you use them? Click here for free art.

     

    In the near future we will offer a knowledge base to help you expand your understanding and appreciation of art. There will be artist's blogs so you can share in their thoughts, processes and perhaps even a virtual tour of individual studios and workspaces.

     

    How about an online forum and the chance to meet other art lovers in your area, as well as a news letter and a monthly art diary for exhibitions and happenings.

     

    As technology develops and the art world with it, Artsales.com.au will be there to bring you all the latest always with convenience and security.

 

 

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