Complaint Review: Park West Gallery - Southfield Michigan

I have been dealing with Park West Gallery since March 2004 when I purchased a Dali on an onboard cruise ship auction. I have had nothing but problems with this company.

The allotted 8 weeks of delivery turned into twelve. The print was tilted in the frame, there was a hair under the glass and the mating wasn't pulled correctly. I contacted the PWG and spoke with (M). She had the painting picked up and returned to the gallery to be reframed. Unfortunately the Dali was returned to me, 8 weeks later, in the same condition as when I sent it. Same box, hair under the glass, tilted framing, etc.

I contacted Park West Gallery again about this issue. (M) apologized and said the gallery would pick it up and reframe it again. I wasn't going to fall for that one again. I took the Dali to an independent framer and learned quite a few things.

The framer was appalled at the condition of the framing for such an expensive piece of artwork. He stated that the Dali was:

1) Unprofessionally mounted, it should have been preservation mounted.

2) PWG used a stitchery tape directly on the print to secure it to the mating. This will eventually eat through the print itself.

3) The canvas was over-stretched, creating a wave-like pattern instead of being straight.

4) The backing was too small

5) The backing should have been sealed and not used the old-fashioned brackets.

6) Oh yes, the hair under the glass and print tilted.

This is ridiculous for a Dali that was appraised by PWG at over $10,000.

I asked for a refund, but was told by a supervisor that I should give PWG another chance and look for another piece of art. I was reluctant, but decided to give them another chance.

I spoke with (L) in the gallery and we discussed many different pieces. I stated that I would only trade for an unframed piece. I finally settled on a different unframed Dali print.

(L) did not have an idea as to what this one would appraise for due to the fact that it was the only one in the gallery. While waiting for (L) to appraise the print, I found the same print online being sold by a gallery in Massachusetts. This gallery wanted $599 for the print. When (L) finally returned my call, I was told that PWG was ready to sell me the same Dali for $3736.00. What a deal!

PWG refuses my request to return my original purchase for a full refund. I have filed a dispute with my credit card, filed a report with the BBB.org and will be writing a letter to the cruise lines. I am also taking PWG to court.

This is the most unprofessional company I have ever delt with. I was never allowed to speak with anyone outside the cruise ship area of the gallery. I was passed from supervisor to supervisor in this area and not one of them knew what preservation mounting or anything about the piece I had purchased. How could PWG hire people, place them in charge and not teach them about the art they are selling? The Dali book, information and video I was promised by the Auctioneer (C) never arrived.

I suggest anyone to think twice before buying from this company. And if you already have purchased a piece of art from PWG, I would have an independent framer and/or appraiser check out the work. If PWG placed tape on your print, your precious piece of art might not be worth anything in ten years.

Thank you RipOffReport.com for allowing me to warn others before they make a drastic mistake.

I will later write an update on what happens with PWG.

Jennifer

PS, California
U.S.A.