Interesting article about onboard art auctions

[AmberDaClown]

http://fineartregistry.com/articles/far_art/art-auction-cruises.php

Doesn't Park West do the auctions on DCL?

 

[Verandah Man]

http://fineartregistry.com/articles/far_art/art-auction-cruises.php

Doesn't Park West do the auctions on DCL?

http://fineartregistry.com/articles/far_art/art-auction-cruises.php

Yes, I believe it was Park West that did the art auction on our last cruise.

 

[TiggerKing]

I will say that Disney, and DCL, have made some very bad PR moves in some of their ventures. You would expect someone to fully investigate anyone with whom you decide to do business, especially a company with such brand recognition and loyalty as Disney. But, they allow Chase to issue their credit card, who has one of the WORST reputations in the industry for poor customer service, and then we see this article on Park West.

Someone at Disney needs to start paying attention before the actions of these companies start degrading the Disney reputation.

 

[bellelinus]

I don't like the art auctions and don't think they are very "Disney" (it always feels like a rip off, or like being conned into something). . . I feel the same way about the hard sell on products in the spa (which I have had a hard time with even when I write "no product sales" on my form -- I've just had a big question session about why I wrote it!) . . . I would say that the areas where DCL gives up control over an aspect of the cruise, it really shows and mars the seamless product they aim to produce.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I will say that Disney, and DCL, have made some very bad PR moves in some of their ventures. You would expect someone to fully investigate anyone with whom you decide to do business, especially a company with such brand recognition and loyalty as Disney. But, they allow Chase to issue their credit card, who has one of the WORST reputations in the industry for poor customer service, and then we see this article on Park West.

Someone at Disney needs to start paying attention before the actions of these companies start degrading the Disney reputation.

Well, initially Disney selected Bank One to carry their branded Visa. They didn't have any say in Chase buying Bank One out.

 

[ramkam]

We recently went on our first Disney cruise and I thought the Art for Sale was a waste of deck space that Disney certainly could put to better use. You would think Disney would bring in their own collectibles for display and sale. Why let someone else make money off something you can do better yourself ... isn't that the Disney way? I also would like to see Disney extend the Photo Pass system to the ships rather than the current photography set up.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I will say that Disney, and DCL, have made some very bad PR moves in some of their ventures. You would expect someone to fully investigate anyone with whom you decide to do business, especially a company with such brand recognition and loyalty as Disney. But, they allow Chase to issue their credit card, who has one of the WORST reputations in the industry for poor customer service, and then we see this article on Park West.

Someone at Disney needs to start paying attention before the actions of these companies start degrading the Disney reputation.

Chase did not issue the Disney Credit Card. It was issued by Bank One. Then a few years later Bank One and Chase merged.

 

[tvguy]

Well, I got flamed (to a crisp) about a year ago here when I suggested that the art auctions on board weren't the best place to buy art. I know nothing about art, but what was being sold, at the price it being sold at, just didn't seem reasonable to me.

I may search for that thread for yucks.

 

[buck4568]

We bought a painting this past summer on the Med cruise. We are not art collectors normally but saw a painting that we liked and that would remind us of the great time we had. It was a large painting and got it for under $2000 which we felt was worth it plus we got 0% through them for 12 months so we are happy.
Some of the stories in the linked article are pretty eye opening though and we have made our last purchase through Park West i think.

 

[PBader]

Interesting article, thanks for posting the link. I have never been to one of the art auctions onboard--now I can say I am glad about it.

 

[Regina]

I've been to a couple of these auctions. I also went to Art school so I have some knowledge about the subject. Trust me, I am in no way saying I'm an expert, just that I have studied art (many years ago.)

I never could put my finger on it, but something just seemed 'fishy' about how they described what kind of piece they were auctioning. It was a 'semi-almost-not quite yet super valuable almost original.'

As I said, been out of school for more years than I care to remember. I have to say, Ducky Williams was on one cruise and they had some of his pieces. Those I would have bid on, but the rest, all I can say is "buyer beware." It's very easy to get swept up in the moment.

 

[AmberDaClown]

The thing that really struck me was all of the "appraisals" being signed by an officer of the company and the non-disclosure just who this appraiser was. Also the fine print of their credit card and the non-disputes being 100 miles away from shore.

Heck I have some of DD's macaroni art that I appraised at 10 Meeeeelion dollars.

 

[tvguy]

. I have to say, Ducky Williams was on one cruise and they had some of his pieces. Those I would have bid on, but the rest, all I can say is "buyer beware." It's very easy to get swept up in the moment.

If you like his work, go for it, which is true I guess of all art.
I had never heard of Ducky Williams until I saw his name here (which surprised me as a long time Disney buff). He's a BIG star here. Dave Smith, the Disney Company Archivist appeared several times this year at the California State Fair, and I had a chance to speak with him briefly about which Disney art is "collectable". The Disney art you really want to buy for investment purposes is anything done by folks like Ward Kimball, Les Clark, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Marc Davis, Woolie Reitherman, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Ollie Johnson......and for those with really deep pockets...Walt Disney.

 

[Heynow]

There is a company here in Cincinnati that their main business is to provide Disney and Warner Brothers lithographs as well as signed memorabilia to cruise ship auction companies. I am not sure if I can post their name due to board rules, but it is Toon Art Inc. Save your money, if you are looking for something specific call them and buy direct.

 

[tvguy]

I can only imagine what the markup is on the art work. Judging from the makeup on the wine and other beverages, I don't think the ship is the best place to buy art.

I was on NCL's Pride of America in June and watched a little of the art auction.....a lot of potential buyers walked away because the auction didn't publish the reserve in advance, and a lot of folks commented that the reserve was more than they were willing to pay......which may explain why the reserves weren't published in advance of the auction.

 

[Digichrome]

I really dislike these art auctions. They do seem to have a sleezy/con-artist vibe about them. I didn't see one actual bid in the two sessions I watched on our last cruise.

I miss the silent auctions they used to have. Those were fun to watch throughout the cruise and they had some pretty neat items. I bid on the navigation map a few times but it always blew past my budget.

Anyway, Disney....ditch the art auctions.