Janet Sirmon Fine Art lost two fine art photographs I purchased for $17,658 February 2016, kept the money I paid, promising an insurance refund. Los Angeles California

In February, 2016, I paid Ms. Sirmon $17, 658 for two Edward Weston fine art photographs.  She offered to have them overmatted, I accepted the offer, and she kept both the money (bank check) and the prints.  A week later, she claimed the prints had been stolen, and she would reimburse me when an insurance claim came through. 

As of now (November, 2016), nine months later, I have had only empty promises:  the insurance money, she has said over and over, will be wired next week.  Obviously, there has been no repayment (or I wouldn't be filing this report), and I've had no evidence that any claim was ever filed, that there is an insurance company, or that the money wasn't wired long ago, and she chose to do something else with it.

I have contacted Ms. Sirmon repeatedly.  She always sounds sincerely regretful.  But, as I say, there has been no repayment, only the same promise.  I wished to avoid legal action, but I now have no other choice.

I strongly recommend against doing business with Ms. Sirmon.  If she has art that you feel you must acquire, do not give her money unless you receive the merchandise from her at the same time.  Do not trust her to take your art to sell on consignment (as per a previous report filed earlier this year by another person).  Be very cautious:  protect yourself first.  She seems nice, but she will cheat you.