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Buying artwork online has never been easier. The opportunities of the World Wide Web have meant that we can browse in the comfort of our own home. Online art galleries can hold endless amounts of artwork, as opposed to a physical gallery space which is naturally restricted.
Here are my recommendations when buying artwork online. In today’s society of fraudsters you have to protect yourself. When entering your personal details and card details you must ensure you follow a few simple steps to stay protected.
Check for security when ordering
Before placing an order and adding your card details, ensure the link is secure. At this point, there are three ways to do this:
- Check for the padlock as indicated below, making sure the padlock is in the address bar and not on the page itself.
- The web address will begin with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’ when you reach the checkout pages.
- If using the latest version of your browser, the address bar or the name of the site owner will turn green.
Many sites will redirect you to third-party payment services such as Worldpay or Paypal. Again, check these sites are secure when making your payment.
Keep your antivirus/antispyware software updated
Help protect your computer from fraudulent and potentially damaging sites by keeping your antivirus/antispyware software up-to-date.
At Art2Arts we pride ourselves on offering all of the above. With a secure shopping system, excellent customer service and a free return service, you have 100% peace of mind when ordering with us. No question is too big or small, so please feel free to contact us.
Check the websites return policy
You want peace of mind, knowing that if you are not 100% satisfied with your artwork then you will be able to return it with no questions asked. Artwork can be tricky as there are many factors to consider such as colour; individual monitor settings can vary from computer to computer so if you receive the work and the colour differs from what you were expecting, you want to be able to return it for a full refund.
Also ask the gallery what the estimated costs are for returning the artwork. It can be costly to return as they must be insured against damages.
Check the websites privacy policy
Make sure your details are not going to be passed to any third parties and that any information they may collect is for legitimate reasons only.
Check website reviews
Most websites today use a review service, it's vital you always check these before buying to ensure it's a reputable company.
Use websites you are familiar with
Once you build a trust with a website and you become familiar with how they operate and are happy with their service, it’s always best to go back to them. Good customer service is very rare these days and if you can find a company offering this then it is worth sticking with them – you know you will be well looked after.
Does the site have a telephone number?
It may seem like a simple thing but you want to be able to call someone if you have any issues and be able to speak to a person.
Is the artwork insured during transit?
It is important the gallery offer insurance when sending artwork to you, so if the work is damaged you are able to request a refund. You should find most galleries offer this as standard.
Certificate of Authenticity
Check the artwork comes with an artist ‘certificates of authenticity’. This way you will have paperwork for the artwork should you wish to have it valued in future and can prove its authenticity.
