ComplaintsforArtemis Ancient Art Gallery

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  june 17 2023 Painting was sold on consignment and proceeds were not provided to us

  Business response

  11/06/2023

  Our Client Relations Manager had given a verbal and written explanation and apology regarding the late payment to our Consignor (who is the wife/significant other of the person who has filed the complaint with the BBB) on October 12th, along a promise that, although late, the payment would be made as soon as possible. The Consignor's acknowledgment of this correspondence/communication was received via email on October 13th.  The payment for the painting referenced in the complaint was remitted on November 2nd, our earliest opportunity, and payment for all items consigned through our establishment have been made in full. We deeply and genuinely apologize for the inconvenience the delayed payment may have caused and we truly appreciate their patience. With sincere regards ~ Ownership of Artemis Gallery

• Initial Complaint

  10/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Artemis Gallery is now located at: *************************************************************************************. They contracted with me to sell some of my antiquities. They sold the first item of mine in the beginning of July, however they never paid me according to their contract within 45 days of the buyer receiving the item. I was told that the item shipped mid July. I have contacted them numerous times about this and I am not being paid nor am I getting any answers. They also sold 2 more of my items, but reported today that the one from August was never paid for. I did get an email from ****** and **** asking if they could relist the one item, which I emailed them back yes, but then only a couple of hours later I got an email that *** was shipping me a 2 pound package. When I called, I got ******* who told me that they were shipping me back all of my items and not available due to being at an employee party and left early. I did email them and told them that if they are shipping back my items, I need to get back all 5 of my items since I was never paid. I also told them that I need to get back all of the custom mounts and signed letters of authenticity as well as the signed typed letter from ******************, one of the *********************** is almost none for consignors and if you want to speak to someone, you need to talk to the sales department. I have gotten no real answers from this company and I have purchased and sold through numerous auction houses. This is the first auction house that I have had any problems with.

  Customer response

  10/10/2023

  ******,
  
  So, you are the reason that you received my seal in April and didn't auction it until September?  Why did you wait 5 months?  I had to contact to see if you lost it!  Then I was told that it would be in your next auction with a lot number.  Then the seal never showed, so yes, I had to contact you again.
  
  You are also the reason that you are now guilty of breach of contract for not paying me.  Thank you for clarifying that your staff did not make all of these mistakes.
  
  ******, I am not new to the auction process.  I actually sold off enough to totally pay off my house.  I have never had any issues with any of the major or minor auction houses like I have had with you.  My thousands of dollars of payments were sent before I even expected them.  They were professional and followed their contracts to the letter.  I got constant reports from all of them.
  
  Regarding communication, I also never had to contact the other auction houses like I have had to constantly babysit and contact your auction house about all of the mistakes. 
  
  When I received this huge box today mostly filled with packaging material, I was hoping that you would have included the coa's and note form ****************** along with my payment for July.  There certainly was plenty of room.  Now you want to trust the **** to return items that are not replaceable with a single envelope and stamp without tracking?  This is not professional or intelligent.  Again,  if I do not receive these items I will be seeking damages since you did not ship back everything that I originally shipped to you.  Again, items with coa's are worthless.  ********************** letter is not replaceable.
  
  I have each and every email that I ever sent to your gallery along with replies.  I also have the date and time when ****** and **** emailed me about the NPB.  They have a time stamp that is about the same as the time that you requested a *** label.  Then you wonder why I have questions on what you are doing after I was told that the dog would be in an upcoming auction?  The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.  I am glad that you are at least taking responsibility for your actions and lack of.
  
  ******,  when people are honest and professional they do not mind questions and quickly give answers.  Are you aware that you never have anybody answering the phone for your consignors?  Each time that I called, I had to connect with sales.  Actually, when I last listened to the message for consignors, it had an employee that hasn't worked with you since last year.  The problem is, as you state, you are in charge and nobody does anything without your approval.  That is why the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.  That is why there are so many mistakes and lack of communication.  Maybe if you let your employees do their jobs and only come to you every now and then, everybody would be much happier.
  
  Regarding the October 5th item that you sold on LiveAuctioneers.  I need to know EXACTLY when the 45 day period starts.  I am learning from all of my inquiries that the blanket answer is "we haven't been paid yet".  Most auction houses including **** do not allow for extended payment terms and the seller always knows what is happening.  Waiting over a month to tell me that you have a NPB is not the norm for any auction house.  Someone isn't watching what is going on, which I guess is you, and when I have to ask what is going on, there is a problem on your end, not mine.  I did everything that your contract called for.  You did not.  I should not still be waiting for a payment for an item was was sold Prior to July 5th.
  
  ******, you have negative feedback on Glass Door where previous employees leave comments.  I also see from your ****** feedback that you were slow to pay another consignor who also posted negative feedback.  Believe it or not, I am a reasonable person who gives anybody a chance prior to placing complaints.  My questions should have been a sign for you that something was wrong, and something is wrong.
  Your issues are far greater than mine and perhaps you are the one that needs to look into the mirror.  Maybe if you gave your managers authority to do things without constantly asking you, you wouldn't be dealing with me now.
  
  I will be saving this email as well to share with the *** as well as the BBB or anybody else that needs it.  Truthfully, what you are guilty of now is actually theft.
  
  I do not know who ******** is.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  ***** *******************
  ******, **** 44035
  
  ************
  
  
  
  
  On 10/10/2023 2:39 PM, *********************** wrote:
  
  ********,
  
  The reason for us cancelling you is all because of your actions -  You call too many times, you contact too many of my employees, you ask too many questions, your expectations of the consignor/consignee relationship are reasonable.  Yet you expect my staff to put up with your constant demands?  I am in charge of consignor payment scheduling, not anyone else, so if your claims that **** or ******* or ****** doesnt give you a concrete answer, it is probably because I didnt give them a concrete answer.  You are one of hundreds of consignors, yet you think it is OK to waste our time with endless calls and emails?  This is the #1 reason why I gave **** the OK to end the consignment relationship with you.  As for ******, yes, he is an excellent employee, and is, in fact, a manager.  So is ***************  So is *********  So is *****************  All these managers have excellent customer service skills and are loved by our consignors except you. I dont know what started it, or how we came to this point, but it is now ended.  ******** will work with **** to make sure all your final demands are taken care of. 
  
  Its all well and good for anyone to go pointing fingers about this and that, but without the person pointing fingers taking a good look in the mirror, one never really see the entire picture and why things happen the way they do.
  
  Sincerely, 
  
  ***********************
  Owner / Executive Director
  ARTEMIS GALLERY ANCIENT ART | ArtemisGallery | ************ , ************ cell
  
  
  
  From: ************************* <******************>
  Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 12:25 PM
  To: ***************** <*****************************************************>; *********************** <***********************************************************>; ************************* <***********************************************************>
  Subject: NON PAYMENT OF CONSIGNOR
  
  Dear *** and ******,
  
  Here is the email that I got from ****** on July 5th telling me that my Panther was sold by ***** sometimes prior to July 5th.  I was also told later that it shipped mid July, so your buyer has had the item
  for over 60 days, going on 90 days.  I have inquired about my payment per your contractual terms of 45 days several times now and keep getting the run around from *********
  
  There is absolutely zero communication if an item is sold directly on your site vs the web, unless one asks.  Why?  On one of ****'s last emails to me she stated that she would
  ask that my July sale be paid.  What happened to all of my other inquiries including asking to speak to your accounting department?
  
  Regarding items on your site, you still have my bull and seal on your site for sale.  WHY? 
  
  I also sold an item on October 5th that **** said that she sent an invoice for, but followed it with, "it hasn't been paid yet".  I am wondering if I could get some communication to know when to expect payment within that 45 day window.  Since I got no communication in July of the item even being sold, I need to know as a consignor when to expect payment.  Having this type of communication would greatly cut down on my number of inquiries.
  
  I do want to tell you that out of all of the people that I have spoken with at your gallery, ****** was the most open, honest and helpful.  I have worked in business too, and from my experience, he is your manager material.  I have never had a rude comment from him and all of my inquiries from him are handled professionally.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  ***** *******
  ******, **** 44035
  
  ************
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  -------- Forwarded Message --------
  Subject: RE: Future auctions of 3 items
  Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2023 16:07:46 +0000
  From: *********************** <***********************************************************>
  To: ************************* <******************>
  
  
  
  
  Your welcome!  The panther sold for $600 to a collector who is very excited about how unique of a piece it is, so I can happily report that its going to a good home. 
  
  *************************************** Manager
  Artemis Gallery
  ***********************************************************
  
  Check out ************ series @artemisgallery5351
  Follow us on Instagram @artemisgalleryancientart
  View the gallery!www.artemisgallery.com
  
  
  From: ************************* <******************>
  Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 9:50 AM
  To: *********************** <***********************************************************>
  Subject: Re: Future auctions of 3 items
  
  Thank you so much for everything ******!
  
  ********
  On 7/5/2023 11:45 AM, *********************** wrote:
  It did- our salesman ***** sold it directly to a bidder post-auction.  I have asked him what price and will let you know as soon as I hear back!
  
  *************************************** Manager
  Artemis Gallery
  ***********************************************************
  
  Check out ************ series @artemisgallery5351
  Follow us on Instagram @artemisgalleryancientart
  View the gallery!www.artemisgallery.com
  
  
  

  Business response

  11/08/2023

  As of 10/31/2023, we have made all payments to the consignor who has filed this complaint, and we have fulfilled our contractual obligation to them.
  Multiple staff members in the consignment and customer service department, in addition to one of the owners, repeatedly attempted to explain to the consignor that we are experiencing some delays with consignor payments due to issues stemming from earlier this year, but promising both verbally and in writing that payment was on the way as soon as possible. The consignor continued to call the gallery, sometimes daily, multiple times a day,to the point of harassment and verbal abuse of numerous employees. Phone calls and time spent working with this consigner exceeded what can be considered an average,normal, and acceptable amount of time working with a consignor, in comparison to any consignor we have ever worked with during the time we have been in business, and meeting their demands became an impossible task. We finally had to make the decision to ship the remainder of her items on consignment to her and limit our contact to reduce the amount of communication, with the sincere hopes of de-escalating the matter for the well-being of our staff. Now that we have completely satisfied our contractual obligation to this consignor, we would like to close this issue and sever our professional ties with her, as it was an unproductive relationship for all involved.

  
  All of the other items they have requested (custom mounts, Certificates of Authenticity, etc.) have been returned, and they were notified of this via email by our consignment department.

  
  We hold all of our relationships with consignors and customers at the top of our priority list, but unfortunately, that task became too weighty to accomplish and we regret that we had to end the relationship on a negative note, but this seemed to be the best decision for all involved.

  
  Most sincerely,
  Artemis Gallery Ownership

  Customer response

  11/08/2023

  
  Complaint: 20706867
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  We need a bit of honesty here.
  Most of the statements made by Artemis Gallery were false and misleading.  There were never numerous calls on a single day. It is usual for the phone line for consignors on #2 to immediately go to voice mail.  If I wanted to talk to a person I would have to call back again and hit #1 for sales, so yes, 2 calls to get a person.    This is very poor customer service.
  Most importantly, a contract is a contract and their contract called for payment being made to me 45 days after the sale.  All other companies that I have dealt with were 30 days.  Anyhow, my first item sold in the beginning of July.  I  have attached an email from ****** dated July 5th telling me that my first item sold.  I also have attached an email for you dated Sept 22nd. from ***********************, one of the owners of the gallery that stated that they had to fire someone in the beginning of the year.  When i have a contract and have to start wondering where my first payment is in September, there is a problem.  Her comment that she had to fire someone is her problem not mine.  The issue of my first payment should have been handled immediately in September when I first contacted them.
  The problems continue!  I did finally get get a check on October 25th *** Overnight for $513.45.  This was after I received an email from ****, the office manager on October 19th stating:  M,
  
  A check for the panther was mailed on Tuesday 10/17/23 for $500.00
  A check for the duck will be mailed next Tuesday 10/24/23 for $315.00
  
  Regards,
  *********;
  Needless to say, since I was supposed to have both checks by that date, I had to write back and question: 
  Subject: Re: Payment for Panther that sold JULY 5th or before--PLEASE REPLY
  
  ****,
  
  The Panther sold for $600.00-30% ($175) = $420.00
  The Duck sold for $500.00-35% ($180) =325.00
  
  The total owed to me for the Panther and the Duck is $745.00
  
  You sent me a check for $513.45.
  
  You still owe me $231.55.
  
  I did call today and spoke with ***********  He stated that you would call me back.  If I am out cutting the grass, you can speak with my husband ***********
  
  Thanks,
  
  **************************; 
  
  I did get an email from **** again dated 10/25:  On 10/25/2023 1:47 PM, ******************* wrote:
  I agree, I just sent an email to accounting to get this cleared up. Ill get back to you.
  Thanks.
  ****
  I did finally get the last $231.55 on Nov 6th.
  It is not normal for a business with a contract to be handling customers this way.  I have sold through many galleries and auction houses and have never had this much difficulty getting paid.  Actually, this is the first time that I have ever had to ask where my payment was.  Months later is not just a little late and months later after they are notified that I have never gotten a payment is a breach of a contract.  If you look at their ****** feedback, I am not the first person to not be paid on time.  Additionally,  their business depends on consignors to be successful.  To not have someone answer the phone on the consignor line, not call back when promised and then not pay the consignor is well, a company that needs to look at what they are doing.  To receive only a partial payment, late is theft?  Were they hoping that I would just forget about the last $231.55?  I don't even know how they even got to the original $513.45.  The first check as well as the second came with zero explanation on it.  All I knew was that the email form **** did not match the check, which did not match the contract.
  In closing, this company really needs to be honest and look at everything that has and hasn't happened.  They actually sold a third item of mine, but nobody bothered to follow up on if the item was ever paid for fully.  Some of my phone calls were to ask about when to expect payment for that item.  I was told by ***** that the person paid for the item but didn't pay for shipping.  Over 30 days later, they tell me that the item was not paid for.  Again, very poor customer service on both ends and very poor communication.
  If anything, this company needs to apologize to me.  That would be the professional thing to do.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩