Try to Sell Art Over The Internet

abstract art for sale, african art for sale, art auction, art for sale, art for sale online, art for sell, art gallery for sale, art gallery sales, art of sales, art of selling, art on sale, art paintings for sale, art posters for sale, art prints for sale, art sale, art sales, art sales index, art store, art supply store

Q: Should I try to sell art over the internet? I've seen several advertisements for sites that specialize in selling antiques, collectibles and art. They put "for sale" pictures up along with contact information for very reasonable commissions. I've also visited gallery sites on the Worldwide Web that say they buy art. I can even advertise my art for free in art, antiques, and collecting newsgroups.

A: The internet is a pretty wild and untamed arena as far as selling art goes and unless you're anything less than fully on top of the market, think twice. In addition to knowing what your art is worth and how much you want to sell it for, you also must be able to show it to interested parties, mail it out on approval if necessary, and get paid in full if you sell it. This can be difficult when dealing with people who you've never met and who may live hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

Unless you know who you're dealing with, the anonymous nature of internet presents problems particularly in the areas of buying and selling art. For example, a small percentage of dealers and collectors spend their time searching the internet for unsuspecting sellers who underprice their art. Some may also request detailed information about your art seemingly to help them decide whether or not to buy when in actuality, they offer it for sale elsewhere. Some don't even ask for details-- they take what they need from your posting and offer it for sale like it was their own. You never know the difference. Consequently, art can get pretty badly shopped around in cyberspace.

As for gallery websites that advertise as art buyers and sellers, some of the finest dealers in the world are online. Unfortunately, some of the not-so-finest are also in full operation. The nature of the internet is such that a lavish website may be that of a four story Manhattan gallery and it may also be a telephone sitting on a coffee table in someone's den. Telling the difference can be pretty difficult unless you know the art business and are familiar with the players.

At this time, the safest internet routes for buying and selling art are dealing with galleries at established sites like www.artnet.com and www.fada.com. Even here, though, you have to be careful, request references, and preferably make personal contact before proceeding with any sales arrangement. If you decide to place your art up for sale independently, pick a site that only takes a commission if the art sells and has a secure transaction system. They should be responsible for collecting the money and paying you rather than you having to do it yourself.

airline miles sell, art purchases, art sells, arts sale, buy car, buy cars, buy cars for sale, buy classifieds, buy for sale, buy used car, buy used cars, classifieds sell, purchase arts, resell art, sale sell, sell auction, sell books, sell car, sell cars, sell classified ads, sell equipment, sell for cash, sell for sale, sell side, sell swg credits, sell textbooks, sell ticket, sell tickets, sell used books, sell used car, sell used cars, sell used cds, selling arts, trade sell.

1 comment:

aleksrb said...

I am a young and emerging sculptor from a small country, Serbia. I am looking for a place to advertise my works for sale. The sites you have mentioned, www.artnet.com and www.fada.com are dedicated almost solely to selling or reselling the artworks of already acclaimed artists who are mostly already dead. This is also a situation with now emerging auction houses in Serbia. I live in a country where Pay Pal service is not available, and most people are not really interested in art. Even if you get a chance to sell something, like I've had two times, it is impossible to sell your work for more money than you'd need to pay all expenses and you are not gonna have anything left. I am almost totally forced to list my artworks for sale through the internet in order to get the foreign public to notice me and hopefully buy something, because it is really hard to receive any acclaim in my country. Also it is very difficult for anyone who is an emerging author to sell anything anywhere, because most people buy either the artworks of the "old masters" or the new highly appraised authors. But you know, we can't all be Michelangelo's or Da Vici's. I know my place at the moment and I just want to sell some artworks. I have heard of www.escrow.com through a site and wanted to become a member of this site instantly, because it gives a chance to me to sell my artworks safe through the internet, and my potential customers will also be safe to buy from me. Now I am looking for an online gallery which reportedly sells artworks of younger artists. Do you know of such a place/places? Could you give me any additional advice?