Gallery Consignment Tiff, WWYD?

Put this in the "small world" category. Got a call from a customer to whom we'd sold a few things long ago. He wants a few high-dollar things we'd consigned to big-name gallery. He's got $ and usually gets his way. Called me because 19 years ago he had a dispute with the gallery over a $1500. item he'd bought from them based on their catalog photos and description-he didn't like it when he got it and insisted on getting his money back-gallery thought his request out of line, told him so, he insisted, and they refunded with a polite letter informing him they would not be able to do biz with him in the future.

Gallery president today is same person who signed the letter 19 yrs ago. Customer wants some of our high-dollar merch we have on long-term consignment at the gallery, but knows he can't get it now, wants me to talk gallery president into selling the stuff to him.

The plot thickens- just last week I got a call from a friend who tells me same customer has been bad-mouthing our consigned items, and me, behind my back. Tells people in our biz that the pieces might be stolen, that I once took his deposit and did not deliver goods, all hogwash. I know the gallery will sell the pieces in a price range stated in our contract, the tough customer-backstabber will pay at the high end of that range if he is able to buy there. I will not pull the stuff off consignment to sell to this guy-it just "isn't done."

I am left with the choice to either talk to gallery pres. to see if he'll remove the ban on tough guy, ask an intermediary who knows him better to do so, ignore tough guy and probably lose a low 5-figure amt. and time-value-of-$ due to lower, slower sale of that stuff, or simply suggest that tough guy use an intermediary to buy the stuff. I really don't want to try to persuade gallery pres. myself-may damage our good bus. relationship. WWYD?

 

Hi,
Does not sound worth it to me. I would not ask for the ban to be lifted. If you did and he did the same thing, the gallery would be pissed with you. If he wants your stuff let him deal with a intermediary. Do not poke a stick at a snake as Gram used to say.JMHO
greg

 

I agree with Greg. Tell him to use an intermediary.

 

I agree with the others... intermediary would work out best.

 

If you have a good relationship with the pres. perhaps you could just have an open discussion rather than ask for a ban to be lifted? Could there be more to the story that would help you decide?

 

If he's this nasty BEFORE you sell him anything, heaven help you afterwards if it's not up to his standards. I'd talk to the gallery president and let him deal with it. I wouldn't touch this guy with a barge pole.

 

Thanks-sounds like good advice.

 

Questions/comments I have -- Springfld.arsenal you do NOT have to respond to my questions/comments on this website.

1. Are the items placed with the Gallery your property and your property only?
2. If you are not sole owner, in what capacity have you been working with the gallery?
3. Would you have a "duty" to inform other owners of this man's interest in the items as well as his past history with you and the auction house?
4. Would you have to get "permission" of others to "work out something" so this particular man can bid?

I think perhaps I would lay the question of whether this man can bid squarely at the feet of the auction house which is under contract to offer the items at its sale.

Under no circumstances would I "suggest" (whether verbally or in writing) to the man that he use an "intermediary" to do the bidding.

 

I would tell him to work it out himself in whatever way he can. Either he needs to reconcile with the gallery owner or use an intermediary. No point getting into the middle of a dispute that could hurt your ability to do business down the line.

Sounds like you have some unresolved issues with this guy anyway if he is bad-mouthing you behind your back. I don't know whether or not you want to confront this. If you do, it might be best for the possible sale to go through first. Sounds like a difficult guy to deal with and, depending on how things work out, you may need to either improve your relationship with him or sever ties.

 

I've asked the gallery president's exec secretary for suggestions on how to proceed. I think she makes a lot of decisions for him anyway, so this is my oblique way of finding out whether this is a non-issue or something more. She might just draft a letter to tough guy and ask the pres, to sign it. How many people carry a grudge about a relatively small amount of money after 19 years?