Do online art purchases come with returns or guarantees?

The returns and condition guarantee position varies between art sellers, and it is worth double-checking before any purchase rather than assuming. A reputable artist or gallery will have a clear position. A seller who cannot or will not answer the question directly has not thought carefully about what happens when something goes wrong, which is itself worth knowing.

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What a good guarantee covers

A reasonable condition guarantee covers the work arriving in the condition described. If a work arrives damaged in transit, or there is a significant discrepancy between what was described and what arrives, the seller should have a clear process for addressing it. The specific terms matter less than the clarity and accessibility of the policy.

For works bought directly from an independent studio, the guarantee is as direct as it can be: the person you are in contact with is the person who made the work, packed it, and sent it. If something goes wrong, there is no institutional layer to navigate. That directness tends to produce faster and more amicable resolutions than institutional return processes.

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What returns typically do not cover

Most fine art purchases do not include the right to return a work because you have changed your mind after it arrives. The guarantee covers condition on arrival against the described condition, not subjective suitability. This is why understanding as much as possible about the work before purchasing - through confirmed dimensions, detailed images, and a clear understanding of the colours and materials, matters so much. You are making a considered decision before it arrives, not after.

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In David Roman’s studio practice, each piece is made slowly in the Birmingham studio using ancient techniques such as gold leaf gilding and hand-prepared mediums. Because of this level of involvement with original artworks, and the limited nature of edition prints, works are sold as final sale.