Journals
Wednesday,Feb 25 2009, 05:15:03 PMPark West Contracted Auctioneers Speak Out
The following series of articles or bulletins have been pieced together from information received from currently or recently contracted Park West auctioneers and other personnel. They are published here in the interests of the buyers and potential buyers of art at the cruise line art auctions, so that they can be fully aware of what they are dealing with, and in the interests of those many individuals who are being taken on, trained and employed as associates and auctioneers on the cruise ships, so that they may know their fate. The information has been provided to us by those who are concerned about the fate of the auctioneers.
Article # 1
Park West Gallery's Very Real Personnel Problems and Highly Questionable Solutions
The year 2007 was a bad one for Park West Gallery. In fact, it was the worst year on record in terms of sales.
But if 2007 was bad, 2008 was horrendous. Park West ascribes the last two years' crash in sales to the state of the economy. The credit crunch of 2008 seems to confirm this theory.
Whatever the actual causes of the situation, the consequences have been severe in terms of recruiting and keeping auctioneers. In 2007 and 2008 many veteran auctioneers have left the company because they could no longer earn the sort of money they were used to.
The Park West Auctioneer System
The auctioneers at Park West are independent, self-employed contractors that work for a company that is insulated from Park West called Plymouth Auctioneering, based off shore in the Turks in Caicos Islands, and they are paid on commission - or at least, they have been heretofore. They have expenses to cover out of their commissions including champagne, labor, an associate auctioneer or more than one, and an art steward or stewards. Park West also charges the auctioneers for promotional materials, rental of computers, credit card fees, rental of a scanner and so on. There are also fines levied for a variety of reasons.
All of these charges, expenses and fines add up. But top auctioneers were earning so much money prior to 2007 that they could absorb them without a problem. However, when sales slumped, the situation changed, and it changed so dramatically that many auctioneers would close out their month's accounting and find that, instead of a pay check from Park West, they got an invoice and not only did they not earn anything for all their month's work, they ended up owing Park West money.
Earning a Minus Paycheck
In the summer of 2008, the economy caught up with Park West, and sales nose-dived. It was like hitting a brick wall. It made 2007 look good. People stopped buying. This happened almost in concert with the credit crunch and the bank crashes - almost to the day. Sales almost stopped but attendance was still up, so the auctions continued to run, along with all their associated costs. With no money coming in to offset them, these expenses now became the concern and responsibility of the auctioneer.
The associate auctioneer was only making 1% of sales as a commission and this was paid by the auctioneer. But, the auctioneer had it worse. He had to cover the expenses. An art steward costs about $250 per week. It costs about $180 to $360 per auction to have labor set up and take down the auction. The costs for champagne vary from ship to ship but it could cost $30 per auction or even up to $300 per auction. Some cruise lines only charge the auctioneer cost for champagne, while others charge a reduced retail price. It is safe to say that it could cost an auctioneer anywhere between $200 and $600 per auction all told. Most 7-day cruise ships run two auctions per week. Park West had covered some of the expenses in a predetermined allowance, but it would not be uncommon to have an auctioneer on the hook for $400-800 per week. That's right, when an auctioneer got his statement for the month, he might find he owed money to Park West. It might only be a few hundred but it also might be as much as $1-3,000 or more per month. Imagine that. Not only was he working for no pay, but he now owed Park West that amount.
Friday,Feb 13 2009, 04:29:17 PMFine Art Registry® Press Release
Fine Art Registry® Press Release
=================================
Fine Art Registry® ...
Read More...
Tuesday,Feb 10 2009, 06:06:23 PMVictims of Park West Gallery:Debbie Seagle and D..
Victims of Park West Gallery, Park West at Sea and Celebrity Cruises Art Auction Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Deceptive Trade Practices, and Enforced Customer Dissatisfaction - Seagle Case Study. Download Print Media Version PDF
(This is another in a series of many case studies of reported fraudulent misrepresentation and deceptive trade practices at art auctions conducted at sea on cruise ships and vicious customer services practices for their customers. Fine Art Registry® has received request for help from over 220 Park West clients to date.) ...
Read More...
Thursday,Jan 22 2009, 04:52:09 PMAnother Victim of Park West Gallery...
Another Victim of Park West Gallery, Park West at Sea and Norwegian Cruise Line Art Auction Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Deceptive Trade Practices
======================================================================================================================================================
Sandy Jeakins ...
Read More...
Tuesday,Jan 6 2009, 04:54:15 PMFine Art Registry® Press Release
Fine Art Registry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact:
David Phillips, Fine Art Registry
206-420-8341
www.fineartregistry.com ...
Read More...
