Article on Park West Gallery in NY Times - The DIS Discussion Forums

melsmom · 07-16-2008, 01:49 PM

In reading today's NY Times, I saw an article on Park West Gallery which runs the art sales and auctions on DCL. I steered clear of them when I was on our cruise back in February due to discussions on this board. However, it just makes me really upset to see this article and see that they are still in business on DCL. I believe in "buyer beware" however they seem to be engaging in very dishonest business practices and I hate to see honest, hard-working people (who shell out a lot of $$ to cruise DCL) be swindled. I don't think Disney should be partnering with Park West given everything Disney represents. What are other folks' thoughts? Am I overreacting?!

Link to article is below:

Oops, I'm unable to link yet due to new membership status, however, article can be found on nytimes.com in Arts section.

Kim&Chris · 07-16-2008, 02:08 PM

As much as I love DCL, it bothers me as well that they allow these people to swindle their guests.

Not to mention that the pieces look junky all lined up in that hallway before Shutters.

DCL needs to give them the boot!

mmackeymouse · 07-16-2008, 02:23 PM

Bummer.

As an art lover, I was actually looking forward to seeing what I could get my hands on.

But, I am definitely glad to know now, so that I can plan to use my time to do other things.

I wish Disney would dump them too. If nothing else, out of principle. I have the feeling the only reason Disney does business with them is because all of the other major players in the cruising industry do.

wwwosie · 07-16-2008, 02:40 PM

I always walk by those prints....
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/ar...prod=permalink

jezebella · 07-16-2008, 03:41 PM

I wonder how much **** you would get into if right before the auction, you passed out that article to all the ppl attending.

kmaclou · 07-16-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jezebella

I wonder how much s*** you would get into if right before the auction, you passed out that article to all the ppl attending.

I would LOVE to see that! I'd just sit there drinking my free little cosmo (the only reason we do the art auctions) and watch the fireworks.

It'll be interesting to see how much longer Disney or any of the cruise lines keep them on board. There was an investigation on Dateline, 20/20...one of those...on Park West as well with the same tone as the NY Times article.

dznymania · 07-16-2008, 04:40 PM

My wife and I bought some prints from them on Carnival, I had no idea about them. Luckily we only spent a couple hundred dollars. I agree with the others, if I were DCL I would not let them operate onboard.

Magic Family · 07-16-2008, 05:44 PM

This is one of the BEST reasons for the DISboards...education! I enjoyed looking through the art pieces, but did not participate in the auction. I was actually considering the auction on our next cruise. Thanks for passing along the information!

melsmom · 07-16-2008, 07:18 PM

By allowing Park West to run the sales and auctions, passengers may be led to believe that Disney endorses them. I too hope, in light of the recent bad press, that Disney makes them walk the plank!

Mickeyhugger · 07-16-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jezebella

I wonder how much s*** you would get into if right before the auction, you passed out that article to all the ppl attending.

This would be one pot that I would love to stir

Rob

Floridagal23 · 07-16-2008, 08:09 PM

It is not just DCL - they are on other cruise lines. Some of the people who work there are wonderful and will educate you about the artists. Some of the individuals running the auctions are just there to sell.

My parents like to buy art but they usually call me and have me google or research the artist, the painting, etc. before they head on over to the auction. They don't collect too seriously - but they buy what they enjoy. I think if you know what you are getting into (and some people do not, unfortunately), then it is ok. We would never buy a super expensive piece without any kind of research while on vacation.

I will say that we did have a big problem with them, and had to fight it out. We purchased a piece and we were promised it was one in a certain series of 6 - the one that arrived at our home was one of 300+. Park was unable to get us one in that series, obviously, and wouldn't take the piece back. We won but they were NASTY.

mickeycruisemaniac · 07-16-2008, 09:43 PM

I certainly hope that this would have nothing to do with the Ducky pieces they "auction" off, I know that money went to DCL and not park west.
At the very least I would hope Ducky would stop associating with them! But then how would we get his wonderful work, if we don't win one!

I guess we wait to see how this plays out. I know that regardless, I will always cherish the Ducky I got at the auction, no matter what!

FatCat · 07-16-2008, 09:51 PM

Best part of the Art Auction is the Free Martinis.

So I am all for changing the gallery. Keep the Martinis at a minimum though

techdude · 07-17-2008, 04:56 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/ar...l?pagewanted=1

The article paints a rather unflattering picture (impressionism?) of Park West Gallery which sells on Disney and other cruise lines.

WDWLVR · 07-17-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techdude

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/ar...l?pagewanted=1

The article paints a rather unflattering picture (impressionism?) of Park West Gallery which sells on Disney and other cruise lines.

As we already had an active thread on this subject I've merged yours with it.

07-16-2008, 01:49 PM	#1
melsmom Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	Article on Park West Gallery in NY Times In reading today's NY Times, I saw an article on Park West Gallery which runs the art sales and auctions on DCL. I steered clear of them when I was on our cruise back in February due to discussions on this board. However, it just makes me really upset to see this article and see that they are still in business on DCL. I believe in "buyer beware" however they seem to be engaging in very dishonest business practices and I hate to see honest, hard-working people (who shell out a lot of $$ to cruise DCL) be swindled. I don't think Disney should be partnering with Park West given everything Disney represents. What are other folks' thoughts? Am I overreacting?! Link to article is below: Oops, I'm unable to link yet due to new membership status, however, article can be found on nytimes.com in Arts section.

07-16-2008, 02:08 PM	#2
Kim&Chris dreaming of relaxing & soaking up the warm sun at Serenity Bay.... Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 5,311	As much as I love DCL, it bothers me as well that they allow these people to swindle their guests. Not to mention that the pieces look junky all lined up in that hallway before Shutters. DCL needs to give them the boot! __________________ - - thanks, GrumpyPirate! 10/98 CSR (first Disney trip for Kim&Chris) // 11/00 CBR (our Honeymoon!) // 11/01 ASMovies & OKW for MNSSHP // 12/02 Poly for MVMCP! // 03/04 Pop Century & OKW, then 10/04 OKW (fun in the sun!!) // 01/06 OKW for Disney Marathon, then 05/06 CR & DCL Magic, then 10/06 CBR & OKW // 05/07 BCV then DCL Wonder, then 12/07 OKW for a pre-Christmas vacation! // 06/08 Wonder Double Dip!, then 12/08 Wonder 3-day! // 05/09 R&R at our home, OKW // 10/09 - a "do-over" vacation (prior one rained out) at CBR // 05/10 5-day Wonder Double Dip! // 10/10 - Back Home for a few days // 05/11 - 5-day Double Dip on the Disney Dream!! The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. - Thomas Jefferson

07-16-2008, 02:40 PM	#4
wwwosie Mom by Day - Disney Freak by Night Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 494	Here's the link... I always walk by those prints.... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/ar...prod=permalink

07-16-2008, 03:41 PM	#5
jezebella MK fireworks in my backyard every night! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 879	I wonder how much **** you would get into if right before the auction, you passed out that article to all the ppl attending. __________________ The Many Years of Disney Review-a-thon July 1985 Contemporary July 1990 Carribean BeachJuly 1993 Port OrleansJuly 1994, February 1995, July 1995, February 1996, July 1996, February 1997, July 1997 July 1998, July 1999 December 1999 - Old Key West January 2000 Grand Floridian May 2005 - Wonder 4 day May 2007 - Wonder 4 day October 2007 - Wonder 4 day January 2009 Magic! Coming up...Bounceback 3 day Wonder in August 2009 Read and post cruise reviews Last edited by TnRobin; 07-17-2008 at 08:23 PM. Reason: Bypass of word filter

07-16-2008, 04:40 PM	#7
dznymania Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Georgetown, IN Posts: 227	My wife and I bought some prints from them on Carnival, I had no idea about them. Luckily we only spent a couple hundred dollars. I agree with the others, if I were DCL I would not let them operate onboard. __________________ WDW 1988 , WDW 1992 , DL 1999 , DCL 01/2009 , DCL 12/2010

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07-16-2008, 02:23 PM	#3
mmackeymouse DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 980	Bummer. As an art lover, I was actually looking forward to seeing what I could get my hands on. But, I am definitely glad to know now, so that I can plan to use my time to do other things. I wish Disney would dump them too. If nothing else, out of principle. I have the feeling the only reason Disney does business with them is because all of the other major players in the cruising industry do.

07-16-2008, 05:44 PM	#8
Magic Family Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 93	Thanks! This is one of the BEST reasons for the DISboards...education! I enjoyed looking through the art pieces, but did not participate in the auction. I was actually considering the auction on our next cruise. Thanks for passing along the information!

07-16-2008, 07:18 PM	#9
melsmom Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	By allowing Park West to run the sales and auctions, passengers may be led to believe that Disney endorses them. I too hope, in light of the recent bad press, that Disney makes them walk the plank!

07-16-2008, 08:09 PM	#11
Floridagal23 Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 443	It is not just DCL - they are on other cruise lines. Some of the people who work there are wonderful and will educate you about the artists. Some of the individuals running the auctions are just there to sell. My parents like to buy art but they usually call me and have me google or research the artist, the painting, etc. before they head on over to the auction. They don't collect too seriously - but they buy what they enjoy. I think if you know what you are getting into (and some people do not, unfortunately), then it is ok. We would never buy a super expensive piece without any kind of research while on vacation. I will say that we did have a big problem with them, and had to fight it out. We purchased a piece and we were promised it was one in a certain series of 6 - the one that arrived at our home was one of 300+. Park was unable to get us one in that series, obviously, and wouldn't take the piece back. We won but they were NASTY. __________________

07-16-2008, 09:43 PM	#12
mickeycruisemaniac Crazy 4 Cruisin Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 24	I certainly hope that this would have nothing to do with the Ducky pieces they "auction" off, I know that money went to DCL and not park west. At the very least I would hope Ducky would stop associating with them! But then how would we get his wonderful work, if we don't win one! I guess we wait to see how this plays out. I know that regardless, I will always cherish the Ducky I got at the auction, no matter what! __________________ DH DW DS Cheryl

07-16-2008, 09:51 PM	#13
FatCat DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,050	Best part of the Art Auction is the Free Martinis. So I am all for changing the gallery. Keep the Martinis at a minimum though __________________ Chris Sue , Vicki , Emily ,

07-17-2008, 04:56 PM	#14
techdude Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 21	NYT Article on Cruise Ship Art Auctions http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/ar...l?pagewanted=1 The article paints a rather unflattering picture (impressionism?) of Park West Gallery which sells on Disney and other cruise lines. __________________ Jun 1990 - Polynesian Jul 2000 - Grand Floridian Jul 2002 - Polynesian & Disney Wonder Apr 2007 - SSR Apr 2008 - POR & Disney Wonder

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