Someone wants us to sell an orginal Robert Batman limited print NEED HELP

[auctiondropnship]

Need a little help

We had a Customer bring in to our Ebay drop off store a Robert Batman print . It's on a canvas , they have all of the documents with it . Its a collectors item , 13 of 1 of 50 printed . The item is worth around $4500.00 . They would like too sell it .

These are my thoughts , we will ship it anywhere for FREE .
I will take a money order for it
Paypal can only be used if you have a confirmed American address only
We will do an escrow for it
How do I protect myself from someone saying it's a fake AFTER they get the item .

Your thoughts

[auctiondropnship]

Bateman sorry

[phoebescollectables]

First I wouldn't offer free shipping. It sounds to cheap. If someone is prepared to pay a few thousand for a print, then they won't have a problem paying shipping.

For authenticity you may want to check with either an art gallery in town or a major auction house.

You may also want to use an invisible marker to mark the back of the canvas assuming it won't bleed thru and damage the painting. A gallery should be able to help you with that too.

[shoplineca]

Todd
As a TA I had someone in Ottawa ask me to sell a Robert Bateman print as well about 1-2 months ago, a limited edition.

I turned it down as after researching eBay, I didnt think that he would get maximum dollars for the print compared to selling it on consignment locally, plus there are some major risks involved.

Shipping definately should NOT be free. The cost of shipping the print also depends on whether it is being sent with or without framing.

Check with the carriers that you use if they will even handle and insure the transport of the piece. You will have to protect it from moisture and mildew etc. remembering that it could be that 1/1000 that doesnt get delivered overnight and is lost for a month in a warehouse.

There will be several local art houses that can refer you to an art appraisor, you may even be able to get the Art Gallery of BC to do it for you for a cost. Appraisals usually cost a percentage of the value of the art work so expect to put out a couple of hundred dollars. The buyer may not be interested in having this done, but you have NO choice as you dont know if you are selling a real or fake item.

The appraisal is the ONLY certificate that will (a) give you an insurance value that will be honoured and (b) provide a certificate of authenticity. You need both.

Even with all of that, there is nothing to state that the Buyer will not (a) deny it being an original, authentic limited reproduction or (b) doing a switch for a fake.

My background in this area: My aunt owned 3 Art Galleries in Ottawa where my mother worked with her for years and I, naturally collected art, having the ability to get choice paintings for 50% of their selling price.

Anyway, the above precautions are the reason I steered clear of selling the Ottawa seller's Bateman print. The risks exceeded the rewards.

Malcolm