I too have been lied to, fraudulently sold artwork "at a fraction of it's retail price" and told to hold for a certain (short, I might add) time period and to expect a windfall of fortune to come my way. I too am a Pharmacist, and did fall for the selling tactics of my "art broker" Nick Georgopoulos who over the past 2 years got me to buy this artwork at 50-70% discounts because of Peter Max's IRS issues, world-renowned art galleries going bankrupt, 9/11 causing problems with values, buy now because LeRoy Nieman will die soon and his artwork will double in value, a guy in China who is getting divorced but doesn't want his wife to get his art b/c she will burn it, etc. Lies, Lies, Lies, Fraud, Fraud, Fraud... If only I had seen this website BEFORE I picked up the phone on that dreaded day. I wouldn't be out close to $20, 000 and owning artwork where the frame is probably worth as much as the print.
I would LOVE for someone to contact me about a class-action lawsuit vs. this company, it's president, salesmen and saleswomen. If anyone reads this and will please contact me as soon as humanly possible, I would appreciate it. These guys must be stopped before they continue to cold call themselves into some other trusting, maybe a bit naive, professional who is interested in branching out into a different investment vehicle to diversify his/her portfolio. Here I thought I was doing something good for my future and family, instead after 2 years and 20K dollars "invested", I find out that this company is not what they say they are. Do not bet on a "sure thing" EVER!!! My "broker" also wanted to make sure I would sell these pieces back to them when the time came so he could make his 10% commission b/c he wanted to make some money off of me instead of the 1% he got when he sold to me. Funny how the time just never seems to come.
Question? I "investigated" this company and logged a complaint on the Canadian Better Business Bureau and the US BBB, several months ago and there is nothing coming up on their site... This was a selling point that my "broker" Nick Georgopoulos brought up during our first conversations. They had no complaints, and still don't on the BBB website. When are these going to come up as reported? Ever notice this company does not put anything down in writing? I had emailed my "broker" and requested him email the recent values of my prints and he refused stating safety and privacy issues.
Right now, I own:
Nine Liberties - Peter Max, place in line = 4
Roseville Profile - Peter Max, place in line = 5
Prowling Leopard - LeRoy Nieman
Eternal Embrace - Alexandria Nichita
Pure Dreams - Abrishami Hessam, place in line = 9
I know this list looks very similar to others here I have read... Maybe that is why I am so frustrated, they pull the same exact scam most likely from a typed out sheet that all their brokers use, that has the questions we would most likely ask and how to answer each question to deflect their blatant lies away from even an inkling of truth. Shame on this company for targeting us with their fraudulent selling tactics, shame and disgust in us for buying this garbage. There must be some kind of lawsuit possible when you get a signed certificate of authenticity and an appraisal from an art appraiser. When are the authorities going to get involved and put this company and it's fraudulent behavior down? I want to see these people in jail.
Steve
Kokomo, Indiana
U.S.A.
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