- Report: #244278
Complaint Review: Park West Gallery - Southfield Michigan
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Park West Gallery
29469 Northeastern Southfield, 48034 Michigan, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-521-9654
Web:
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Park West Gallery Mixing truth and lies ripoff Southfield MichiganRip-off Report Investigation: Park West receives a POSITIVE RATING from Rip-off Report -commitment to providing excellent customer service, pledges its commitment to 100% customer satisfaction - over 1 million satisfied clients - feel confident & secure when doing business with Park West Gallery
I think that Park West Gallery is able to defraud so many people by evenly mixing lies with the truth. I've purchased nearly 20 pieces from them and 17 turned out to be authentic. However, I purchased 3 Chagall's for $10,000. The cumulative appraisal for these 3 pieces (off the boat) was about $700. Basically, the frame is nicer than the subject matter.
The auctioneer claimed that two of the paintings were 1 of 24 total produced and in one instance 1 of only 11 in the world. Given the rarity of these items and my affinity for Marc Chagall I could not pass the opportunity.
I have since had all of my purchases appraised by 3 different art dealers. Each art dealer has been in the business of fine art between 25 and 40 years. They have all been commissioned by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta at one point or another for appraisal work. Each art appraiser was unaware of the others findings and they all returned a verdict that leaves no doubt in my mind that they are fakes. Instead of 1 of 11 or 1 of 24, it's more like 1 of 6,500.
They were mass produced in 1960 and basically worthless. It seems odd to me that Park West would engage in such blatent fraud but you know what they say. The lie that everyone believes is the one that contains 80% truth. In this case 80% of the pieces I purchased have a researchable provenance and were confirmed as authentic. The Chagall's turned out to be toilet paper in an extrememly nice frame. In all I spent $23,000 with Park West last August. I have paid for all of my pieces except the 3 obvious fakes.
Due to the fact that Park West Gallery intends to sue me for the outstanding balance I have since sent these items back to Michigan and informed their legal representation in Miami that I have no intention of paying them for the Chagall fakes. I will gadly spend $20,000 in legal fees to fight Park West for the $9,950 they claim I owe them. This is a matter of principle, not money.
Gary
Cartersville, Georgia
U.S.A.
The auctioneer claimed that two of the paintings were 1 of 24 total produced and in one instance 1 of only 11 in the world. Given the rarity of these items and my affinity for Marc Chagall I could not pass the opportunity.
I have since had all of my purchases appraised by 3 different art dealers. Each art dealer has been in the business of fine art between 25 and 40 years. They have all been commissioned by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta at one point or another for appraisal work. Each art appraiser was unaware of the others findings and they all returned a verdict that leaves no doubt in my mind that they are fakes. Instead of 1 of 11 or 1 of 24, it's more like 1 of 6,500.
They were mass produced in 1960 and basically worthless. It seems odd to me that Park West would engage in such blatent fraud but you know what they say. The lie that everyone believes is the one that contains 80% truth. In this case 80% of the pieces I purchased have a researchable provenance and were confirmed as authentic. The Chagall's turned out to be toilet paper in an extrememly nice frame. In all I spent $23,000 with Park West last August. I have paid for all of my pieces except the 3 obvious fakes.
Due to the fact that Park West Gallery intends to sue me for the outstanding balance I have since sent these items back to Michigan and informed their legal representation in Miami that I have no intention of paying them for the Chagall fakes. I will gadly spend $20,000 in legal fees to fight Park West for the $9,950 they claim I owe them. This is a matter of principle, not money.
Gary
Cartersville, Georgia
U.S.A.
