Unhappy Art Buyers File Lawsuits Over Cruise Ship Art Auctions
Customers dissatisfied with their purchases in cruise ship art auctions are filing lawsuits that claim the value of the artwork was misrepresented.
Class action lawsuits filed by customers who live in Florida and California name auctioneer Park West Gallery, based in Southfield, Mich., the New York Times reports. The suits seek damages for unfair trade practices, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
The plaintiffs contend Park West invoices issued on the ship say the appraised value of the art is “the price a client would have to pay to replace the work through a reputable retail art gallery,” the story says. But when customers get the appraisals along with their artwork they are told the appraised value is the “current Park West Gallery retail replacement price,” which is likely a higher figure.
Other unhappy customers told the Times that Park West auctioneers said art work was worth much more than their purchase price. One couple from suburban Chicago said they were told their art was worth 20 percent more and would go up in value by about 20 percent a year. They paid nearly $20,000 for three Dali prints, but later obtained an appraisal that said one of them was worth $1,000 or less. After a Times reporter contacted Park West, the couple was told a refund was on its way.
Park West lawyer Robert Burlington of Miami says a New Jersey lawsuit was denied class action certification, in part because the auctions took place at sea. He told the Times the new lawsuits may never get class action status either.
Park West founder Albert Scaglione told the Times the lawsuits are groundless and he stands by the company appraisals. Any auctioneer that makes promises “would be an auctioneer with us no longer,” he said.
