Red Skelton RedSkelton.com, OFFICIAL Red Skelton Web Site, Art Corporation of America This company completely inflates values for Red Skelton art work just so they can charge a few hundred dollars for a Certificate of Authenticity , Internet

This is long, but since I used to work for this company, I can tell you first hand my knowledge of this man and this company.  Strange coicendence, my boyfriend's mother has some Skelton artwork and is looking to sell.  But she had found this company just the other week, and mentioned it to my boyfriend yesterday and was considering using this company.  The government off her SSI and that is what she primarily lives on, so she thought this artwork was going to get her out of her debt and give her some extra pocket change on top of it until her SSI gets all sorted out.  When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is a nightmare.  And that's where "Dr." William Mett enters.

 I had a long talk with her about this man "DOCTOR" William Mett and because it hit so close to home, that she almost got scammed by this scam artist, that I really feel the need to share my personal experience.  He goes around pretending he's a real doctor/surgeon, when in reality it's a doctorate degree in business I think. The law classified him as a fraud and so do I.  He is a crook who would rob his own mother if he could and probably has.  I do know he used to rob this one poor naive womam who he used to tell us she was this crazy stalker...he used to have her numbers posted above the office phone on a big piece of paper in big bold black marker saying "DO NOT PICK UP THESE PHONE NUMBERS...": and then had 2 numbers listed.  One of the other employees showed me an email one day,and he was writing love notes to her, so we put two and two together and realized he was just scamming her for money.  I actually recall one time she wired him $1,500 because soemone hacked his account and all his "assets were frozen".  She sent him emails of how she had to sell jewelery and was living out of a hotel I believe and was about to be kicked out because she was broke, but yet, she was giving him any money that she got her hands on.  He lied about his whereabouts to her as well...he somehow got this woman to believe that he was out of the country or in Alaska (if I remember correctly) for MOST of the year, when he was right here in the same city every day.  I saw on a different thread, she was actually defending him, lol.  I feel bad for the woman, but you can't feel too bad, b/c people have to take accountability and not only realize when they are being scammed, but also to continue to let it keep happening is beyond idiotic.  You can't feel too bad anymore.  Hey JVB, if you're reading this, go to Smith's every day and he usually goes there during lunch time and I'm sure you'll run into him eventually.  She moved to Las Vegas to be near him.  He was in a relationship with her for like 7 YEARS, but managed to avoid seeing her for most of those YEARS with lies of being out of the country or state!  He's quite the connartist!  There were times he would hide in a room whenever he called her, and his voice would go all croaky like he was dying, b/c he had told her he had throat surgery, lol.  As employees, when we overheard him, we would laugh our asses off, at his performances.  One time I believe he told her he was in Alaska and the nurses took away all his devices so he couldn't talk to her on the phone or by email. You might be asking what does this have to do with Art Corporation?  This just explains what type of person he was on a personal level.  He scams his own girlfriend!  He is just a professional scam artist!  TBH, I fell for his sweet talking personality (not in a romantic way, just thought he was a sincere nice guy, until Joe or JB the "owner", told me about all this and I nearly fell over that i was working for these convicts!)

 Now on a business level, I can gauarantee you, whatever middle initial it is, it's the same William Mett that was in prison and is the same William Mett who RUNS (not owns!) the company Art Corporation AND Red Skelton AND is associated with Lothian Skelton. Lothian Skelton is an old "friend" of his and she gets a piece of everything that he sells.  He used to write letters to clients and all I would simply do was just copy/type what he hand wrote word-for-word and email the customers back.  He would lie in letters and phone calls saying that Lothian was there or would be in town in two weeks for a month (this was a tactic he would use for you to make a quicker decision), or would say she JUST stepped out, when in reality, she only came to Vegas once every 6 months - 1 year for a day or two, so 99.99% chance she wasn't really there.  He would constantly leave voice messages saying, "hi this is Dr. William Mett and Mrs. Lothian Skelton calling for _____ and sorry we missed you, but call us back when you get a chance."  Then when you call back, you only speak to him, and she'd be unavailable.  I know this must be ringing true in most of your heads.  She barely knew what was going on with the businesss.  He used to talk so much crap about her to us too, about how annoying she was and how she was the cheapest person he knew.  I don't have to repeat the whole story what google says about him, it's all right there for you to see...he was sent to prison for selling fraudent art and embezzling millions of dollars from their own employees! If you want to see the entire court hearing, you can google it, as it all public record.  Marvin Wiseman, the man they claimed was the former director of the Boston Museum, really was just a casheir at the coffee shop for the Boston Museum...talk about beefing up a resume, lol. This was also told to me by by JB, the owner..the old man they basically use and abuse.  They pay this poor man $0 for a paycheck, but pay for all his bills.  They send him home with leftover food they eat for lunch.  He has worked with them for over 30-40, possibly 50 years old and he is way too old to actually get a new a job, and they treat him like a gopher, talk down to him and like total crap, and they know he has no other options.  They also have another friend, Richard I believe his name is, and lives in Hawaii.  The two alternate every other year owning the business.  I don't know all the legalities of all this, or why they do this.  Maybe it is because they weren't allowed to own another art business after frauding millions of dollars in their previous art gallery.  Or maybe they just didn't want as much heat on them if their names were listed as actual owners.  I don't know.  What I do know is, they charge you $150-$300 for EACH certificate of authenticity and $75 to list EACH artwork on their website.  Mett will send you a Certificate of authenticity appraisal based on a PHOTO you send to him via email (these prices may have changed since I worked there last).  He doesn't actually ever touch, feel, or see these artworks in person.  How do you appraise a piece of art for over $100,000 without ever seeing it in person!  He will claim that he is the only peson authorized to appraise Red Skelton artwork. Now another note, you should check with your insurance company, because I did check with ours after reading a post about how certain insurance companies wouldn't even accept their appraisal because it was missing vital comany information.  Now here's the ironic part, almost ALL the Red Skelton art that came through the office was originally sold out of Center Art Gallery in Hawaii...in other words sold by HIM and Marvin Wiseman 30 years ago!  These people just want an updated appraisal for insurance reasons, OR b/c they may have found the artwork in their grandma's attic and need one possibly to replace a lost one.  Anyway, Mett appraises these pieces of art at anywhere between $1,500-+$100,000 for originals!  He will talk you into using the RedSkelton website, claiming that it is guaranteed to have authentic and real artwork, and they get millions of hits by people looking to buy authentic Red Skelton artwork, as opposed to Ebay, who sells all fraudent artwork, which is a load of crap.  Yes, Ebay's pricing is drastically cheaper, but it's NOT becasue they're fake.  It's b/c Red Skelton art has lost it's value and is pretty much worthless now.  It's the same exact piece of art.  You'll notice ebay is having a hard time selling the same art work for $25 and Mett's appraising theml at $1,500!  Here these poor old victims think they're sitting on a gold mine according to Mett.  Liike I said, they are virtually worthless...ask any other REPUTABLE art dealer.  I see that they've updated their website, but while I worked there, I didn't see a single piece of artowrk sell..EVER...NOT ONE.  I did receive phone calls from a bunch of angry customers though, calling about the fact that they weren't selling and panicking because they needed the money.  It's a bunch of pictures of creepy clowns by an artist that nobody even knows anymore, unless you're 70 years or older.  The average person will spend $225 PER piece and I recall at least one person having approximately 100 pieces of artwork, ranging from little ceramic clowns to actual artwork to tapestry I believe (I can't recall the EXACT articles he had) but he had spent practically $20,000 for the certificates and to list it on their website.  I recall him reducing the price at least 3 times for this specific client during my time as an employee.  Mett would sweet talk him and calm him down and use the same phony excuses of how the economy is bad and how no one is buying fine art right now.  ummmm...even if the economy was great, nobody is buying clowns right now.  Now if you're a smart person, think of the reality here...do you really think there are an abundance of people running around trying to buy up clown pictures to hang on their walls?  On another note, the IT person, JB (both IT and owner have the same initials JB), was going through their pictures on their hard drive and found two of the exact same photos, one with Michael Jackson and one witout, lol.  You can tell it's photoshopped b/c MJ isn't even lookng at the camera...also I saw with my very own eyes, the photoshopped and the original, lol.  Again Fraud.  It's right on their redskelton website.  Their whole existence is illegal!  Like I sid, they prey on vulnerable clients who were desperate for money, and sadly, many times it was litle old women, who needed the money to pay for their dying hsuband's cancer treatments or something of the same nature.  These guys have no morals or ethics when it comes to taking people's money.  As an employee I just didn't have the heart to even send many of the emails when people said they needed it for medical bills for their dying spouses.  But I do have to heart to try and stop these horrible men from scamming more people!  

 Henry C, I believe you are Mett or JB (IT person..JB the "owner" actually couldn't stand them, and told me all their dirty little secrets and how much he hated them and couldn't stand them...it's how I know Marvin was only a coffee sohp employee and not a director, or the fact that they were criminals to begin with!) and I personally didn't see any validity to YOUR post either.  You can make fun of people for using google, but facts are facts and I actually find it a little offensive that you would make fun of people for doing their due dligence and it's pretty ignorant on your part that you wouldn't do yours.  Unless of course, you are Mett or JB, and then this would all make sense.  You think these people are stupid and ignorant, and you can influence them with your offensive comments about having too much time on their hands.  I would actually encourage everyone to do their due diligence before buying ANY product or service.  That is the beauty of the internet and technology.  With a touch of a button, you can find out everything you need to know about the business; their ratings, how long they've ben an estblishment for, and good or bad reviews, etc.  People's money is hard earned and nobody wants to waste it on crooks like these. Are you saying that google is lying about the dozens of links that come up about Mett and Wiseman embezzling or defrauding for millions of dollars in art?  Are you saying the links that show the traffic going to the websites are inaccurate.  That google is single handledly trying to take ACA down by making up links with their criminal careers?  That this is all one big conspiracy against ACA and William Mett and Marvin Wiseman?  All feelings aside, the facts are laid out there in black and white and with just a little bit of research, you can find out all these FACTS for yourself.  What you explained was YOUR personal experience without any proof just like Mike did.  You are definitely entittled and within your rights to talk about your experience and how GREAT it was and how nice these men are to you (also, while I was working there, another employee spoke to me about how one of the men propositioned him for sex, which I normally would have my reservations believing such a harsh accusation, but again, this was a troubled young man in his young twenties, who was addicted to drugs.  I personally thought he was a sweet soul, just young, lost but WAS an addict, was clean by the time I met him.  He said he considered it for a split second because he was in a horrible position in his life, but used his better judgment and turned him down instead. Now I admit this is all hearsay, I personally never witnessed this, as this all happened prior to my employment with this company.  But JB, the "owner" also backed this story when I told him about it, so I 100% believe this encounter did indeed happen)  but this story was actually told me by the young man..not through word of mouth, and like I said, I confirmed this accussation with JB, the owner.  He was over 18, but these men are over 60-70 years old!  Which brings me to another point, and once again I am repeating from another post from another user, and I also did my own research to confirm it, that their sites get NO TRAFFIC, other than the people who are checking it out daily to see if their own artwork is selling, which is less than 10 hits a day. And Mike doesn't have anyting to prove to you.  He just stated that his experience was bad.  before trusting a criminal with their hard earned money (and for some people, $225 is a lot of money!, especially when they are living paycheck to paycheck and most of the clients were DESPERATE for money.  You are just as bad as Mett. I highly doubt this is even a legitimate post from a real client with a real sale.

 Again sorry for the super long novel, but that is everything I know, and I was an actual employee of the company and these are real stories I witnessed or was a part of know first hand.  Believe what you want, but I'd believe the actual research...the actual real articles on google...the actual websites that show the number of hits a site gets daily...and actual tesitmonials from these websites (yelp, rip off report, yellow pages, etc)

I am a previous employee of this "company".  Funny I was searching the internet and just saw all these complaints and allegations and they are ALL true!  Except for the person who said they had a great experience.  I would say it is safe to  assume it is Mr. Mett himself trying to boost his ratings or something.  I watched him take advantage of the older generation, in desperate need of money for health conditions and he would give them false hope and astronomical values to these desperate individuals.  And note that I call him MISTER Mett.  He got his PhD while in prison and he is not a physician or doctor. He has a doctorate of business I believe.  But he calls himself Dr. Mett, and even while out, he professes that he has surgeries and patients to attend to, to seem important and get people to rush for him.  

He is drowning in debt, he can't even legitimately have the business in his name, I only assume bc of his past FELONY record of fraud and embezzlement so he has two best friends that alternate every other year, by putting the businss under their names.  You don't have to believe me, but all the information is pretty much laid out there to do your own research and see for yourself to make an educated decision on whether you want to do business with them, but knowing what I know and having worked for this wretched crook, I'd save my money and go elsewhere!  His only claim to fame is having Lothian Skelton as part of his organization, but she doesn't live in Vegas and in over 6 months working there, I met her once.  She gets a percentage of what they sell, but doesn't have anything to do with the day in/day out activities of the business....at least not when I was there.  

This William Mett clown is a DRUNK.  I called him at 9:00 AM and I asked him simple questions and he started yelling at me about questioniing his authority on Red Skelton.  He was slurring his words and was practically spitting into the phone.  Then I received a nasty email from him a week or so later about how he is the "ultimate authority"  What a waste of life, a washed up has been.  I wouldn't buy anything from this clown.  He can't compose himself in a professional manner for a sales call...how could he possibly compose himself for a sale?  Look elsewhere to sell your Red Skelton artwork!

My experiences with Dr. Mett himself are very pleasant, very professional....

Sorry to say, but if you want to be sure to get no money, try sell your art on Ebay, too much crap around there.

Big Mike you seem awfully vague: WHAT have they charged you $600,- for, and what did you want them to sell???I say deal with Dr. Mett personally and you are fine.

My art was sold for a good price, and took a little while, but, not like it was a year or so.

So I say: WORTH it !

You all seem to do too much google, and not enough personal experience...

I don't recommend using this company. They didn't do anything for me. Biggest waste of money. Wish I sold them for $200 a piece, at least I would have made $600 instead of giving these scammers $600. I'm going to try as sell on ebay and at least recoup my money I lost with these guys.

I used to work for this company. I know William D Mett ran BOTH Art Corporation of America AND Redskelton.com. Red skelton's phone number wa 702-331-4249 and art corp's phone number was 702-736-1787. After prison, he attached Dr. to his name. This is the same William Mett who is associated with Marvin Wiseman and they both went to prison together for fraud and embezzlement. This is the same William Mett who is associated with Red Skelton. If there is a William L Mett now with the same contact info, I can only assume it is the same man, just trying to evade his past...hoping people like yourself would think it's just an identity error. Definitely sounds like something this man would to defraud more people!

I have done some research and find two listings for a William Mett.  One with a middle initial of D. and another with the middle initial of L.

William D. Mett went to prison for art fraud and pension-fund embezzlement and found guilty of art forgery of SALVADOR DALI  art work.

The William L. Mett may be a legitimate art appraiser. More in-depth investigation is needed.He can be found at these two internet address  using the same phone number.

http://artcorporationofamerica.com/Company.htm  

http://www.williammett.zoomshare.com/
 
Any business that operates out of a PO Drop Box in Las Vegas should be investigated thoroughly before conducting any business with them.   

The phone numbers (702)-331-4249 and  (702) 736-1787  are associated with Dr. William L. Mett and he identifies himself as being associated with the Red Skelton Foundation.

Red Skelton art work was forged in the in the early 80's before Red  started counter signing and numbered them. I don't know the exact date he started this action.

Is it a case of mistaken identity?  Additional research is needed.  Use caution in all business dealings. Know what you are buying and get several appraisals.

I believe that Lothian lives in Palm Springs or something.....Mett is in Las Vegas, so that would not be strange that Lothian is not there. I have tried to make an appointment with Mett five years ago, to meet Mrs. Quinn, and am still awaiting the call  back on that one. I never get called back anymore, neither is the phone being answered for me.

This company is a rip off! It ripped off my 78 year old grandma. Oddly everytime, she or I would call, Lothian was never there. Everytime, that rip off artist bill Mett called, Lothian was with him. They charged my aunt $225 for an ugly certificate and to list the artwork on their website. It's been close to year and she hasn't received one phone call from an interested buyer. We've lowered the price 3x and even spoke to Mett regarding no interest, and he always comes up with bs excuse. DON'T USE THIS COMPANY UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE RIPPED OFF!