Buying art online Advantages and reasons

 
 

 

"Getting the right art at the right price
without looking foolish...
That's a simple enough request, surely?"

 

Buying art should be that simple and we're here to help make sure it is.
Follow through our four step process and you'll find:

a free system for finding, appraising and purchasing art
(which works not just on this site, but anywhere)
a detailed walk-through of our purchase process
how we protect you and how to protect yourself

 

In fact here's everything you need for demystifying the art buying process
so you'll know just what to expect, how to get it right, and look sharp in the process.

So let's start with 'The' major art buying trend plus a few advantages.
The tipping point
Lower prices
Speed and security
Convenience
Variety
Tax advantages
Discretion and flexibility
More nurturing: less elitist
Information for an informed choice
THE TIPPING POINT
"There is no defence against the impact of a new idea!"
Sometimes innovation and tradition meet awkwardly.
Take the 'Net and the art world...

 

 

 

For a decade plus, the 'Net's outgrown all retail outlets on the planet.

 

    But despite no signs of slowing, it took until 2007 for one of the bastions of the conservative art world to dip a cautious toe into cyberspace... but that was all it took. A little nudge from Sotheby's and the online artsales ball started rolling. Art auction giant, Sotheby's, decided to hold their annual contemporary art auction not, as they have traditionally done, at their York Avenue headquarters, but instead on their internet site, Sothebys.com. The public response was overwhelming.

     

    ''That we would be selling works in the (USD) $20,000, $30,000 and $40,000
    range is a surprise,''

    Craig Moffett, president of Sothebys.com

     

    Across the Atlantic in London, The Saatchi Gallery Online, (no marketing tools, training or e-commerce facilities) has claimed dealers already spending ₤100,000 (AUD $250,000) on paintings without seeing them in the flesh, while offline galleries have reported that

     

    "Ten years ago, we used to have 500 people coming to an opening.
    Now it's closer to five than 500."
    Galleries are discovering that many people prefer the comfort of choosing art online.

    CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) 04.12.00

     

    You can expect that purists will still want to see the most expensive works in the flesh, but

     

    "the current trend strongly indicates that when collectors buy art in the future,
    it's more likely to be with a click of the mouse than a nod at the auctioneer."

     

    It's an unstoppable trend and the art establishment embracing online sales is clear progress. While gallery attendance numbers are up, it's still a small percentage who'll browse commercial galleries as comfortably as browsing a book shop. But not so online.

     

    Online art sales have reached a tipping point with the 'Net
    being increasingly embraced by all, and not just sophisticated buyers.

     

    So now that online art sales are firmly entrenched, here are some other advantages to consider...

 

 

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ONLINE 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 up to 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% potentially goes straight back into your pocket.

     

    Long term pricing 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.

     

    Credit card security 

     

    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.

     

    128 bit encryption 

     

    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.

     

    PayPal security 

     

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

     

    secure server indication

     

    The security certificate validity and currency can be checked by clicking the lock icon. PayPal, who provide our merchant services, employ their own patent security measures and this site is also PayPal verified to reduce the risk of fraud. PayPal members can click the seal at the bottom of any page to login and view our verification status.

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

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More nurturing: less elitist

 

Complete this well known defensive art statement:
"I don't know much about art but...

 

I know what I like!" Right?

 

 

    Whenever you hear these words, someone's feeling on the back foot about a simple opinion. The art world leaves some people scared of saying the wrong thing or feeling financially uncomfortable and of course everyone avoids situations where you risk feeling inferior... not good for art.

     

    Conversely, we seek out environments where we can grow and our opinions are respected. That's the aim here: a change of attitude to "I don't know much about art... but I know when I'm liked." The 'Net's perfect for providing friendlier, easier and cheaper access to art, and art knowledge and

     

    because the 'Net delivers culture in your environment and on your terms,
    all of a sudden the art world's not so scary and everyone can enjoy it.

     

    With a bigger market and new players, we can let some of the hot air out and a few fresh breezes blow through, and now everyone can feel welcome to play.

 

 

 

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Information for an informed choice

 

    Background information

     

    Learn about the artistrating | feedback indicator

    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.

     

    Learn about art collecting

    Our free e-book is a good overview of the artworld, what to consider when buying art, an is structured like a course with room for making notes. Download your copy today 'The insider's guide to buying art'

     

     

    Developing an opinion

     

    A built in magnifier

    Have a good look at the finer details of each work

     

    Look at a work more than once

    Save your favourites in a personal wishlistwishlist iconto view later.
    There's a link to your wishlist at the top of each page

     

    Ask for a second opinion

    Do you have someone whose opinion you'd like? Use the 'e-mail image details' buttonimage details icon

     

    Another way to get a second opinion

    See what sort of response you get from sending the actual image as an elegant online post card?
    Click 'send as e-card' and find out.e-card icon

     

    Look at a work framed and against your wall colour

    Choose your wall colour and try a few commonly available frame stylessee it framed icon

     

    Now see how it really looks

    21 day home trial money back guarantee

     

     

Knowledge bank

 

    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.

     

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

     

     

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