Rip-off Report Investigation
Park West , Park West Gallery, Park West At Sea joins Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program.
..A long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and business a like.
Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program,..A program that benefits the consumer, which assures their complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business.
As a matter of policy, when Rip-off Report is retained by a company to investigate independently and to publish our findings, we use every bit of information at our disposal to determine the truthfulness of the complaints against the company or individual. Rip-off Report cannot ever guarantee any product or service, but we can only report what we find, in order to help you get a better understanding of the company or individual we are investigating. That having been said, the conclusion Rip-off Report came to after our investigation, to the best of our knowledge, is that this company is a reputable firm, offering products and services of real value.
ALL COMPANIES GET COMPLAINTS, BUT HOW THE COMPANY HANDLES THOSE COMPLAINTS, SEPARATES GOOD BUSINESSES FROM BAD BUSINESSES. By Ed Magedson - Founder, Rip-off Report
Park West contacted Rip-off Report to resolve consumer concerns posted on Rip-off Report. As we began our thorough investigation, we were gratified to find that Park West joined the Corporate Advocacy Program, as part of its ongoing commitment to excellent customer service and quality. Since its founding in 1969 Park West continuously strives to provide its clients with the best service in the industry.
We began our investigation by requesting various company information from Park West. We found that an independent audit concluded that the annual customer complaint ratio was 1 for every 50,000 Park West clients. Our investigation showed that Park West has been a leader in the art industry for nearly 40 years with over 1 million clients, the majority of whom have been repeat customers - the number of complaints Park West has received in comparison to the number of its satifisfied clients is incredibly low. When you consider the number of Park West clients purchasing artwork every year, the amount of Rip-off Report complaints is minor and even so, Park West still asked to join our Corporate Advocacy Program, proving that they really care about their customers.
ANY BUSINESS THAT CAN ADMIT THEY MADE MISTAKES AND CORRECTS THOSE MISTAKES IS A BUSINESS YOU CAN TRUST AND WORTH DOING BUSINESS WITH Rip-off Report always asks questions to perspective members of the Corporate Advocacy Program, like how they feel about the complaints that are on Rip-off Report. One executive stated, with a staff of nearly 1,000, they know there are bound to be misunderstandings and the occasional unhappy customer. Rip-off Report knows this will always happen in any business. Park West believes one complaint is too many - that is why they approached Rip-off Report and requested to join our Corporate Advocacy Program. Rip-off Report gives Park West Gallery a very positive rating because of their stated commitment. Our Rip-off Report investigation concluded that Park West Gallery is deeply committed to the quality of its product and its service.
Park West pledges to make every reasonable effort to satisfy each and every client. Their professional customer service representatives are available 7 days a week to address any customer concern. Park West tells Rip-off Report that their customer service department is the largest, most highly trained and professional in the art auction cruise industry.
Park West also has a compliance department to ensure that all company policies and standards are strictly enforced. Park West thoroughly investigates any reported customer complaints regarding the auctioneers or auction process; in the event that any auctioneer is found to deviate from the company's high standards or misrepresents information to customers in any way, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action or termination.
After a recent mailing to everyone who filed a Rip-off Report, we could see that Park West has a sincere commitment to remedy any and all customer concerns. Company executives told Rip-off Report that Park West is consistently committed to the satisfaction of its clients, and is always looking for ways to improve its already first-class level of service. To that end, Park West has extended its customer service hours to include weekends, and has developed a more demanding training program for its customer service team.
Park West has received hundreds of thank you letters and accolades and continues to receive them on a regular basis. Customer testimonials in recent letters include:
"The artwork we got from Park West is a wonderful addition to both our home and our business. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Park West."J.J. and R.J., Penfield, NY
"With your focus on your customers, you truly overwhelmed us with your attention to detail. You created an atmosphere that proved to be entertaining, rich in the context of art, but always mindful of why one acquires art - enjoying life, friends, and sensory pleasures of art."G.S. and A.S., Grand Rapids, MI
"Since our first purchase of artwork through Park West, we've been more than pleased by two things: affordability and availability. After seeing the variety of artists Park West displayed, along with the provenance of selected works, it gave us a completely new appreciation of art."J.S., Pleasant Hill, CA
"We were so impressed with the knowledge and level of customer service your employees provide. Park West is truly top drawer."J.S. and R.S., Albuquerque, NM
"Thank you for all that you have done for the art world."C.M. and J.M., Gahanna, OH
PARK WEST EXPLAINED TO RIP-OFF REPORT HOW THE COMPANY GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO ENSURE THAT THE PRICING OF ITS ART IS FAIR AND COMPETITIVE. Every work of art sold comes with a complimentary certificate of authenticity. Park West's certificates and appraisals are consistent with accepted industry standards, and provide a money-back guarantee. Several well-recognized art experts and scholars document and review Park West's collections. Park West also works with independent certified ASA (American Society of Appraisers) appraisers and independent certified AIA (American Institute of Appraisers) appraisers to support its valuations.
PARK WEST STATES THEY CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR BUYER'S REMORSE. Rip-off Report can certainly understand Park West's position on the following comments stated to us... Park West explained that customers often spend significant amounts in the carefree atmosphere of a cruise vacation and later encounter buyer's remorse - every customer has a personal responsibility for their own spending. Excursions, trips to the casino, spa treatments and beverages are enjoyed immediately and are therefore not returnable, making art auction purchases vulnerable to buyer's remorse. Purchasing art at a Park West auction is a clear and customer-friendly process - customers know what they're purchasing and at what cost. Friendly, knowledgeable auctioneers are available on-site throughout the auction and beyond to answer any questions or address any customer concerns. No sale is complete unless the customer gives their authorization by signing the invoice. Park West supplied Rip-off Report with copies of its invoices so we could review them for ourselves. We found Park West's invoices to be easy to read, and clearly list all terms and conditions.
Park West executives stated: "Park West cares about its customers, from helping them to select the perfect work of art for their home or office, to the custom framing and timely shipping of the artwork. It is our goal that all of our customers enjoy a pleasant experience with us from start to finish, and we do everything in our power to ensure just that. We believe that it is this commitment to the quality of our service that has allowed us to provide art to over 1 million clients worldwide."
ABOUT PARK WESTThrough our investigation, Rip-off Report was pleased to discover that Park West auctions are a highly anticipated event for many cruise goers. In fact, Park West hosts fine art auctions aboard most of the major cruise lines, which speaks highly of their reputation in the industry. Additionally, Park West holds numerous land auctions and charity benefits throughout the United States and Canada.
Park West Gallery, located in Southfield, Michigan, is a 63,000-square-foot facility located on 3 1/2 acres of beautifully landscaped property, including a natural pond and sculpture garden. Park West also has a 231,000 square foot custom framing distribution center and gallery consisting of two buildings located in Miami Lakes, Florida. One of the buildings is the equivalent of six football fields with a roof on it. It is temperature and humidity controlled and was built by Park West brand new in 2003. It is by far the world's largest, as well as the most modern and advanced facility of its kind.
Park West tries to provide something for every collector and in every price range at their auctions. You can find artwork you see in museums from familiar famous artists like Chagall, Dali, Picasso and Rembrandt, to more contemporary artists including Agam, Peter Max, Tarkay, and Mouly. Park West told Rip-off Report that they maintain close relationships with some of the world's greatest living artists, including exclusive publishing contracts with such artists as Agam, Simon Bull, Krasnyansky,Tarkay, Fanch and Le Kinff. Park West features an extensive sports memorabilia collection - including an exclusive contract with Muhammad Ali - and one of the world's largest collections of animation art. Park West also publishes numerous books on the artists it features.
To purchase artwork or learn more about the company, please visit
www.parkwestgallery.com Rip-off Report knows, there is no company or individual that is perfect - Park West knows this also and demonstrates their need for continuing improvement - that is why Rip-off Report feels you can be completely confident, safe and secure when doing business with them as they are a member of Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy, Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program.
RESULTS OF MAILING TO ALL THOSE WHO FILED A RIP-OFF REPORT As a part of the Corporate Advocacy Program - Rip-off Report did an emailing to all those clients that filed a Rip-off Report, and I would now like to share the results with you.
Like usual when Rip-off Report does these mailings.... Most said they appreciated our efforts and related that they had already been taken care of and that they were now satisfied. Many customers asked if they could remove the Report they filed and we explained that was not possible,.. that Rip-off Report's philosophy is, that it's better for the consumer to show how a company like Park West takes care of their mistakes and their customers. No company can ever go with out problems, resulting in complaints. Warranted or not, all businesses will make mistakes.
Rip-off Report feels Park West has learned from all those who have complained... and they even expressed thankfulness for those who have brought any issues to their attention because as their management stated, "they help us to become a better and better company."
ABOUT THE CORPORATE ADVOCACY PROGRAM While Rip-off Report does not endorse any company, including Park West, overall, our research demonstrated to us that Park West is an extremely solid, reliable company that stands behind its artwork and customer service.
Many companies that contact Rip-off Report make claims that the Reports about them are false or were filed by the same person or even a competitor. Yes, Rip-off Report knows this can happen from time to time; however, we know this is not true most of the time. From federal to local law enforcement agencies, most use Rip-off Report regularly. When Rip-off Report works with law enforcement to assist consumers, never once have we heard from any agency that the Reports filed had bogus contact information. These agencies include FBI, FTC, Homeland Security, US Postal Inspectors, Justice Department, IRS, Federal Prosecutors and local law enforcement, to name just a few.
Rip-off Report does not solicit its Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. Any participation in this program is completely voluntary and at the request of the program member.
This program requires the Member Business to agree to satisfy all complaints - past, present and in the future, even when those complaints come to us by e-mail.
The Member Business must also state improvements they are willing to make to their business which benefits the customer to avoid the reported problems from happening again in the future.
If a customer has any questions before, during or after the purchasing process, Park West encourages them to contact their customer service representatives toll-free at 1-800-521-9654 ext. 3. Park West has set up a special email
[email protected] if you have any questions.
RIP-OFF REPORT CHARTING NEW TERRITORY ..Consumers should feel secure when doing business with member businesses. ..Remember, just because a company or individual is reported on Rip-off Report does not mean you should not do business with them. Use Rip-off Report information as a tool to your advantage. Be knowledgeable about any company or person you hire. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions and get additional information until you feel comfortable in allowing them to work for you.
Be sure to contact us with your questions and comments about any business that is part of the Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program. Your questions, comments and suggestions are always welcome and will be considered even if we don't agree with them. Please realize Rip-off Report is chartering in new territory, working to make a change for both consumers and businesses alike.
Consumers can feel secure when doing business with Park West, Park West Gallery, Park West At Sea. ... Here's why.
Park West Gallery, Park West At Sea made a commitment to and are a proud member of Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business ...A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. Again, If a customer has any questions before, during or after the purchasing process, Park West encourages them to contact their customer service representatives toll-free at 1-800-521-9654 ext. 3. Park West has set up a special email
[email protected] if you have any questions. You may also Cc us here at Rip-off Report..
[email protected] Sincerely,
ED Magedson- Founder
[email protected] www.ripoffreport.com
Rip-off Report
PO Box 310 - Tempe, Arizona
U.S.A