|
|
Post by lowpro on Aug 9, 2008 17:18:45 GMT -8
I too used Firefox, but that's a given for me. Although in speed tests, FF is consistently the quickest to load pages. So for folks that don't use it on a regular basis, you should give it a whirl. It blows away all browsers out there.
Generally, that seemed to go much smoother, which makes me happy as I like this piece much more. The 10-min grace period to complete sale system once you get it into your cart is nice. Makes it way less stressful. I always start to freak out when entering the cc exp date etc. Plus, the member system saving your contact info makes things quicker too. At least you know you got it after hitting the 'purchase' button. There's no uncertainty; it's black or white.
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepboy on Aug 9, 2008 17:20:12 GMT -8
congrats to those that scored. sorry to those that missed out except ritedere since he gets everything usually ;D
can't believe it sold out so quickly, i was under the impression that this image was less desirable (at least for me).
oh and yah, firefox is always better for me as well, but of course i use open different browsers and try them all at the same time.
|
|
|
|
Post by summeroakley on Aug 9, 2008 17:22:32 GMT -8
i actually like that this image wasn't quite typical of her--i looooved seeing the painting at her show at copro nason. but i think the price made it more sought after ... it was a bit more affordable than others.
|
|
|
|
Post by ritedere on Aug 9, 2008 17:28:03 GMT -8
I used Firefox and still failed.  |
|
|
|
Post by marcusslo on Aug 9, 2008 17:43:39 GMT -8
Me too! *high five*  it's like ur my teammate on the usa bball team... and we just lost the gold... oh man don't even want to think |
|
|
|
Post by ritedere on Aug 11, 2008 15:22:23 GMT -8
Someone made my day today in a big way!!!!  |
|
|
|
Post by PhotoGus on Aug 13, 2008 13:54:22 GMT -8
|
|
soma
New Member
Posts: 40
|
Post by soma on Aug 13, 2008 14:16:55 GMT -8
(first post but i lurk frequently.  ) just wanted to let you guys know that both flippers of "if only you were here" have been identified and will not be able to make any additional purchases from us. we will continue to make every effort to identify any person who chooses to put one of audrey's prints on ebay soon after receiving it. |
|
|
|
Post by masao626 on Aug 13, 2008 14:53:34 GMT -8
Leah? ;D
|
|
soma
New Member
Posts: 40
|
Post by soma on Aug 13, 2008 15:01:48 GMT -8
yup.
|
|
|
|
Post by thinkspace on Aug 13, 2008 16:35:42 GMT -8
So glad they've got the database up now to hopefully put a stop to stuff like this. Seeing prints up the next day on Ebay just blows my mind, I just don't get it. On a happier not, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of her Rome show when we picked up Stella's pieces from the framers last week... all her pieces had just been dropped off to get the royal treatment. Get excited, as she's knocked it out of the park. I don't want to give anything else away, but some of her best yet by far I feel. Was hard to leave so soon after seeing them  Look for sneak peeks of those Audrey has chosen for her 'Drawing Show' with us this November to be posted soon on our Flickr. More as we get near... she's really got some great folks in her lineup. |
|
soma
New Member
Posts: 40
|
Post by soma on Aug 15, 2008 18:34:16 GMT -8
photogus - we closely follow the registration list on many levels so it's not exactly as easy as just making another account. besides, they can't log in so they're going to know they were banned right away whether it is posted in forums or not. we feel it's better to let people on both sides (the people who wanted to buy but couldn't AND the flippers) know our policy. we're not the only ones who ban flippers. www.obeygiant.com/store/help.php?section=policy |
|
|
|
Post by entropy on Aug 15, 2008 22:03:55 GMT -8
(first post but i lurk frequently. ) just wanted to let you guys know that both flippers of "if only you were here" have been identified and will not be able to make any additional purchases from us. we will continue to make every effort to identify any person who chooses to put one of audrey's prints on ebay soon after receiving it. Hi soma, I think it's futile trying to contain the behavior of "flippers". I think that has been a component of art commerce since the invention of cave scrawling tools. It's just an accepted evil in all art and collecting genres. I believe the best deterrent would be to do what you did with the "Mizuame" print. The pros: 1. It allows everyone that loves the image to purchase it if given sufficient advanced notice of the sale. 1a. Keeps the price down (i.e. affordable) 1b. No worries about availability during the purchase window. 2. It is still limited, thereby preserving, at a minimum, its original value. 3. Flippers will be deterred. Most don't like to hold on to a print for more than a month or so. 4. "Collectors" that buy merely for reasons of "investment" will be deterred. 5. You'll generate tons more revenue if you know your print runs will be in the 700+ range. The cons: 1. No one knows what the print run will be at the time of purchase (but that sort of adds to the excitement). 2. Because it is a larger print run, its value will take much longer to appreciate. But most of us won't care if we actually love the print. Anyone that whines about larger prints runs will be revealed to be "investors" not art lovers. 3. The print run reveals the number of Audrey's core fanbase. Something that you'd want to keep secret if you're trying to manipulate the perceived market. Mark Ryden's print runs are in the 500 to 10,000 range. Due to Audrey's popularity, which transcends the insular "pop surrealist/lowbrow" scene, I think it's time you seriously consider the "Mizuame" type print runs. Otherwise you're just continually leaving many of us fans frustrated. And didn't you profit more with the 700+ run? That's a pretty good chunk of revenue for a 2 hour sale. I've noticed that a couple galleries have recently been padding the prices of paper prints, which to me is just as disgusting as someone that flips on eBay. (They're inserting the added cost of a perceived flip value - in other words "overcharging" or pricing it at what the estimated secondary market might demand - You can tell who's guilty when it takes a print from a popular artist forever to sell out. Of course, you can argue they're just "testing" the market, albeit greedily). So the trend I see is that sometimes the fans are damned whether we go to eBay OR a high priced gallery (I mean, nowadays what's the difference?). But to see an artist of Audrey's stature sell directly and keeping prices affordable, that is a reassuring thing. It gives us hope. Keep in mind "some" flipping is an okay thing from the artist's standpoint. How? Well, flipping in and of itself, it can generate a "buzz" or a bit of hype which most marketing experts would probably say is good. The trick is simply how to mitigate the rampant abuse. I appreciate how you and Audrey are trying to do what's best for your fans. You really care and that means a lot to us. You're continually trying to do the right thing...as exemplified in all the experimentation you've done with your online sales. Like I said, I think it's futile trying to contain flipping activity. "They" will always find a way. I'm not saying you should abandon your attempts at controlling the flippers if you're so inclined... But I think there are better hands-off methods of mitigating the price gouging activity on the secondary market. While simultaneously putting smiles on a larger contingent of your fans. I hope you and Audrey will seriously consider my input. Just my two cents. Thanks for reading. entropy |
|
soma
New Member
Posts: 40
|
Post by soma on Aug 15, 2008 22:29:50 GMT -8
mizuame was a fun experiment, but aud doesn't want to dilute the market with a bunch of giant editions. yes, the profit from that run was good, but she makes a good living off her originals and isn't a money motivated person to begin with. the amount of work that goes into a run like that is immense. can you imaging signing your name nearly 800 times over a few days? i can't. i'm not saying she won't do it again, just not any time soon.
the only galleries that have had access to the older prints were in conjunction with one of her shows, so the difference between a gallery padding the price and what a flipper does, is that the gallery is giving audrey half the money. the prints are purposefully set at ebay prices so less people will be tempted to buy and flip for a quick buck. but even in this case audrey puts a limit on what can be charged for the prints and insists on keeping prices reasonable, so some still end up being flipped.
basically, her main purpose for doing these prints is to put them into the hands of her fans. it's not for the money or the notoriety or to generate any kind of buzz and it's definitely not to line someone else's pockets. she keeps her prices low to make them affordable to young people and people from all economic statures, so it's a bummer when a speculator gets it instead of a fan and then scalps it for three times the price. we'll do anything we can to stop that and make sure the prints are sold to someone who will actually appreciate them.
|
|
|
|
Post by entropy on Aug 15, 2008 22:45:55 GMT -8
basically, her main purpose for doing these prints is to put them into the hands of her fans. it's not for the money or the notoriety or to generate any kind of buzz and it's definitely not to line someone else's pockets. she keeps her prices low to make them affordable to young people and people from all economic statures Hi soma. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. That's fair enough. I was simply trying my best to make a compelling argument in favor of the Mizuame type experiment. |
|
|
|
Post by ritedere on Aug 15, 2008 23:47:39 GMT -8
Very interesting topic. Obviously it's Audrey's right to set what she wants her print runs to be, but I personally believe keeping them AS low as they are only is going to keep things the status quo (i.e., flippers asking for and getting very large profits for their prints) The higher the print run, the more that end up in fans' hands, and the less profits/incentives would remain for flippers. While tracking and blocking them from future releases is admirable, everyone has a significant other, family member, or friend with a different e-mail/address/account info that I think it's in the long run futile. But that's not to say it shouldn't be done. Something is better than nothing. How about starting editions of signed/unsigned (a la Banksy)? There are many fans that would probably be fine with having an unsigned copy of If Only You Were Here or Tear Me for $75 or so in an unsigned edition of 500 as opposed to having to spend $1000+ on a signed one. Just curious on your thoughts, I appreciate all you've offered so far in the conversation |
|
|
|
Post by svenman on Aug 16, 2008 2:12:28 GMT -8
photogus - we closely follow the registration list on many levels so it's not exactly as easy as just making another account. besides, they can't log in so they're going to know they were banned right away whether it is posted in forums or not. we feel it's better to let people on both sides (the people who wanted to buy but couldn't AND the flippers) know our policy. we're not the only ones who ban flippers. www.obeygiant.com/store/help.php?section=policykudos to you leah for not just stating this as an intention, but for doing something about it. i know the frustration of trying to get something you want first hand but the 'artificial' demand is just so high you get shut out. i have collected some of audrey's prints going back quite a way. i've even sold one in the past, but only like at least a year after it was released, and that was only to fund something else - i keep on plowing my money back into supporting artists. i'm not so hot on collecting audrey's work over recent releases, as much as anything because its become a painful experience due to the high quantity of flippers eager for a piece of the action. i say that you guys are taking positive steps to help ensure that the beautiful prints that you release do actually end up in the hands of someone who wants to actually own one. flipping to me was always a major frustration, but now i've learn't to accept that it will happen. you guys are doing something here that sends out the right message and benefits audreys genuine fans. the most brazen example of quick profiteering recently for me was that someone who was lucky enough to get a josh keyes thunder print (released and sold via limited addiction gallery), which also had a no ebayer statement for the release, posted his print for sale on the limited addiction forum (moderated by dave smith - who presumably would have his email details) before it was shipped! gosh - some people just take this p1ss  |
|
|
|
Post by virtu on Aug 16, 2008 5:21:33 GMT -8
Congratulations to Audrey & Leah for clearing out 98% of the flippers. (you can't do much better Folks) If you go over to Audrey's Blog and read the hundreds of comments you will see every comment & edition idea posted here has already been answered at the blog. i-seldom-do.livejournal.com/Audrey & Leah have pretty much stopped flippers from dozens of them down to only 2 for If Only You Were Here & zero for Tear Me so it seems to me the Flipper problem has pretty much been taken care of. Audrey & Leah are doing a great job. Our gallery buys or trades for sold out Audrey Kawasaki prints. (not just Kawasaki) This is posted on our site: Art Trading - Rotation
We love art trading.
Email us your trade idea/offer.I purchased back a Orian from one of my collectors for $600 and resold it for $800. $200 was more than a fair mark up. This is called secondary market, not padding the price. |
|
|
|
Post by ritedere on Aug 16, 2008 7:04:15 GMT -8
I must admit I'm EXTREMELY impressed at the low number of flippers thus far for the latest Audreys. Perhaps they're so nice that even flippers are having a hard time letting them go Thanks for the link to the comments pages. I see all the suggestions being discussed there as you had mentioned. |
|
|
|
Post by virtu on Aug 16, 2008 8:32:36 GMT -8
Amy Sol & Dylan have also done a great job thinning out the flippers.
Very few new Sol pieces are showing up on Ebay right after release.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhinomilk on Aug 16, 2008 14:16:02 GMT -8
this thread has turned BORING. may i direct you to her blog where you can make comments to suggest when is the best time of day for her to wash her hair and if she sleeps on her side, could effect her back later down the line.
oh well... can't wait to see more pics of pieces for the upcoming show
|
|
|
|
Post by masao626 on Aug 16, 2008 14:24:59 GMT -8
^agreed - bring on the sneaky peekies!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by entropy on Aug 16, 2008 14:35:48 GMT -8
this thread has turned BORING. may i direct you to her blog where you can make comments to suggest when is the best time of day for her to wash her hair and if she sleeps on her side, could effect her back later down the line. oh well... can't wait to see more pics of pieces for the upcoming show You don't have to read it if it's boring. Incidentally, the blog you refer to is where you'll have a better chance of seeing sneak peaks and learn of any breaking news first. |
|
|
|
Post by sleepboy on Aug 16, 2008 14:42:36 GMT -8
now now. don't want a fight to break out  although it might be fun since it would be the first one here on this forum ;D although it's okay to deviate a little every now and then, i think this thread is primarily dedicated to audrey's artwork. |
|
|
|
Post by masao626 on Aug 16, 2008 14:42:41 GMT -8
i think rhino's point was that this has all been discussed, ad nauseum, on her blog, and elsewhere, and it just seems argumentative and a bit unproductive.
both leah and audrey have stated in no uncertain terms what their policy is and, while not everyone is pleased, it seems to be working.
|
|
)
