I purchased art work from Park West at sea during a cruise November 12 of 2005. After waiting 8 weeks for delivery I contacted Park West and was told that the item was shipped to the wrong address in FL no VA where I live. I gave Park Wes t my correct address and the address I was moving to. I waited another 5 weeks and still nothing was shipped. The art work has never been sent to my correct address.
While waiting for the item to ship I found out that the art work is worth much less than I was told by the sales person. I was told 5900.00 when in fact it is worth 1750.00 as listed from the Artists Gallery. I was induced to purchase these items by the over-priced appraisal which was in fact not performed by a disinterested 3rd party as I was lead to believe. This transaction is especially egregious in light of the fact that I paid extra money at time of purchase for this “fraudulent appraisal”. As for this appraisal, I was told that the artwork was appraisal by a third party certified art appraiser. The appraisal of this art work was represented as being from a certified appraiser, when in fact they are from the owner of the gallery, Albert Scaglione. who is not certified by any organization for appraisal.
I have requested a refund but was told that there is an all sales final policy. I have contacted HSBC credit, the credit company that Park West uses and they were given fraudulent Fedex shipping information and will not refund the price of the art work or close the account. I have contacted the BBB of MI and Park West flat out refused mediation or a response to the BBB. I have continued to contact Park West to have this charge removed but they will only offer a credit and will not ship the item to me as they claim they have shipped it to the incorrect address twice and it was refused. I have never refused the item. I was grossly mislead by Park West as to the value and potential value and then was offer an appraisal that would be committing insurance fraud if I were to turn it over to my insurance as it is not a third party appraisal as stated by the salesman. I am seeking to have the charges remove and the account closed with both HSBC and Park West Gallery on grounds of deceptive practices and inflated prices on the part of Park West Gallery.
Jeff
Centreville, Virginia
U.S.A.