Artist Beware Of The Scams - Scams To Watch Out For - Tips For Artists

[@KoongYe]

"Money Up Front" is the golden rule for artists.

[@AnvilandScribe]

Klee’s commentary is on point today! I’m generally suspicious if anyone approaches me for anything to do with my art. Last one I got was ‘send me the completed piece and then I’ll pay. NOSSIR!

[@cassierhoads1583]

Oh man the poetry books takes me back. A friend and I in high school both wrote a lot of poetry and he bought every single one of those books. He used to rub his bookshelf in my face as he would flip through trying to find his "accepted" poems in all the editions. Some he had the page numbers memorized. To him they were badges of his greatness. I decided to just take some money and self publish a book of poetry(book is a generous term, it was pretty flimsy). Was kind of scammy as ebooks weren't a thing yet so I was literally just paying a "publisher" to have my book on file and do zero marketing on it but I was a teenager and was more after being able to say I had done it than to actually make it rich. I made no money off it as my mom gave copies to anyone with a free hand but I still have a copy of it collecting dust and I got one glowing review on it so...works for me. In the end I paid money for it but at least my work was on all the pages.

[@Jules_Pew]

I tell the email scammers I don't have any work under £1 million. Funny that they never get back to me.

[@jonathanstewart351]

Yeah, well, gee, at that price they're practically a steal. I want two! Would you accept a check for them on a Nigerian bank? I'll be happy to pay for the shipping as well, if you'll front me the cost via Western Union. Thanks!!!

[@Jules_Pew]

@@jonathanstewart351 I forgot to mention that at that price, shipping is free worldwide. :D

[@jonathanstewart351]

@@Jules_Pew -- Not if you ship to me it isn't! Please pay in advance...

[@Jules_Pew]

@@jonathanstewart351 As you asked so nicely. Please give me your card details including the 3 digit cvc. ;)

[@jonathanstewart351]

@@Jules_Pew -- You win! 'Bye! (Sound of large rat quickly leaving rat hole.)

[@moonshinescuriosity9501]

My friend who makes ball jointed dolls gets approached all the time by scammers or weird people. Sometimes he’ll share it with me and ask if the message makes sense to me. There was one lady who requested him to mass market dolls and to make her designs on the dolls. He doesn’t do commissions. He makes what he makes and sells a certain amount of the same doll (10-20 dolls) The best part was when he told her if he did that she’d had to pay for the mass market of the dolls p. She didn’t want to pay. She said he could pay for it and she’d pay after he did it. He said how many thousands of dollars she had to pay. She got mad when he said she had to pay it all up front because that’s too much a commitment and also to see if she would even commit. Lol a trolling moment because he doesn’t do commissions.

[@moonshinescuriosity9501]

I think the best people are the random people asking him for a free doll. For all the work he does. He makes them from clay, then casts them, then paints and makes wigs and clothes. These random people have the balls to ask for a free one for all the time and money he puts in them. Hell no! His friends aren’t even that dumb to ask. We just buy them when we want one. Duhhhh... it’s his business. It’s a crazy world and people try the strangest stuff on him that I even scratch my head to.

[@CallyLawson]

A couple of years ago, I left a few pieces of work in a new local gallery, the people seemed very genuine and other artists I knew also had work in there. I called in a couple of times and everything seemed fine, although they hadn't sold any. I happened to mention that I had my work there to the lady at my local art supply shop, she said they were not to be trusted and I should get my work back. As I trusted her, I had a bad feeling about it, I telephoned the gallery and told them I needed to collect the pieces as I needed them for an upcoming event, they said fine. I went by a couple of times and they were closed. Eventually I got them on the phone again and they arranged a time to meet me there. When I went into the gallery, mine was the only work there, everything else had gone. After checking my work was undamaged, I was relieved to take it home. It was only later that I realised they had removed all my labels from the back of my paintings. I still have no idea what they were up to, but think I had a lucky escape!!!

[@CallyLawson]

@Steve Gracy No, they disappeared into thin air shortly afterwards 🤔

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

I can smell one of two things... First, "Labels"??? I almost NEVER use labels on a piece of physical work. If it's tangible, put something "tasteful" into the work that's PERMANENT... This forces the "thief" to either scar the work hopelessly to take credit, OR forces enough work and effort to be tasteful in his/her claim that it's more effort than I'd put in myself. (lolz) 1. They blanked out your identifiers so they could copy and mass produce something that they could then take credit for... Variations, too. It's not difficult, and with a single attractive piece of any type, it's plausible that even a half-way decent skilled "paint by number" hobbyist could mass produce sales-worthy stuff in magnitudes of a hundred or more a week! At just $20 per piece sold... that's a LOT of easy money. 2. Your labels might even be the very thing they were after. You're not exactly world-renowned, but having been in the business, you likely have a following. Being able to dubiously copy that label well enough, and stick it to whatever piece of crap they have laying around could "raise the value automagically" for those in your following. The "casual" fans... especially. Take a mass produced piece that "seems close enough" to your voice and style, sold at $5/ea, stick a label from the label printer onto it, and you've got a $35-$50 mark-up, in seconds... Think of how much that will net them before they have to "up and move on" again... or risk being caught. Labels are nice, but they belong on "wrappers" or "shipping containers", never on parts of the work. I've done everything from jamming a dremel bit into a metal sculpture to scrawl my name horribly and crooked down the lower left side of the "front" (dubious distinctions usually) to straight up BURNING a signature into the frame supporting a custom stretched canvas, just to signify that I (alone) am the crazy f*** that painted that nightmare... and nobody can take that. No offense meant here. Finally, and honestly, if a few labels getting mis-appropriated, is all you suffered to get out... YOU can probably count yourself extremely lucky. I've heard some horror stories... like a friend of mine studying art history in college, and by some weird reason, practicing at reproducing old masterworks (to learn just how difficult it really is to get past authentications) incidentally found one of his own canvas frames in a gallery boasting to have "uncovered a lost masterpiece"... and he very narrowly escaped serious fines, jail time, and was almost thrown out of school. ...for blowing the whistle on that scam. ;o)

[@CallyLawson]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 The labels I was talking about are standard here, name of piece, media, date etc. Plus labels from previous exhibitions. I did say I was lucky, I just wanted to share to make people wary.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@CallyLawson Oh... I get it. I'm only tossing the extra "two cents worth" to maybe help other artists in situations where they may be concerned. A trafficking label with regular (and authorized) notations is useful.. see also any reference to "Provenances and certificates of authenticity" and the like for a full exposition. There are (however) a few ways, YOU can be sure a work is your own without a whole lot of "hooey"... and it's only a bit of experimenting before you develop a repeatable system to keep everything relatively straight. ;o)

[@carolineharnish5633]

Yes just recently someone tried to scam me by sending a big check !& claiming they had to have my art immediately! At first I had a glimmer of hope, but my bank said their check was bad, it looked genuine tho. & years ago, a woman befriended me, claiming to be an art rep- I was, as you say, very vulnerable at the time, & it did not turn out well for me at all. I lost paintings, she sold them & never paid me. So yeah this is an excellent reminder.

[@cindy-hb5lx]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing.

[@ColorSprite]

I did fall into the Raw Artist scam. It’s a “free show,” but you had to sell 20 tickets in order to pay for your space and to attend. If you didn’t sell all the tickets though, you had to pay for the ones that you didn’t sell, and they were decently priced tickets so it did add up. I was only able to sell a few to friends and family, but my parents were super generous and bought the rest of the tickets I didn’t sell. If not though I would have had to pay like $200 out of pocket. The show was a total bust for me too. I only sold like 2 small items. So yeah, definitely watch out for Raw Artists scam messages. It could be good for someone who has 20+ people who would buy the tickets from them, but otherwise, I would steer clear.

[@garlandwest5822]

I did as well in 2016. It was stressful and I kept feeling so scuzzy about promoting it. My parents also bought the extra tickets.

[@seanarthur8392]

shades of multi level marketing!!

[@kaylaarmitage525]

KGScribbles I was contacted by them last year and I was like ok seems simple enough and I called up my local gallery and mentioned it and they’re like “it’s as close to a pyramid scheme as you can get in the art world” and I’m like 😭 though I backed out on it so the gallery saved my butt

[@machinemythos8950]

Yeah I was approached by raw and it looked cool but it didn’t take much digging before it was like yeah...no. Not only the pay to play aspect but the fact that there was zero quality control. There shows were just a loud confused event where anyone who paid 200 bucks could be a part of the chaos. They were also super pushy and dodgy when ever I tried to ask questions or ask for clarification. RAW is a joke.

[@Myst9066]

I just did one. Will probably never do it again. I had the friends and family to buy the tickets fortunately. I made 254 sold 8 pieces. But they made it out to try to be a hip club thing in this popular auditorium problem was the dj music was so damn loud you had to scream at potential customers just to be heard.

[@theprimitiveblackhatsociet8274]

Had a woman contact me through Esty saying she ran a show and my items would be a great addition. All I had to do was to ship her 12 pieces, (to CA I live in NC). She would set up my work and sell it and send me a check minus the percent the show takes. I was sure it was a scam. I checked and it was a real show, but I could not find her name associated with it anywhere. I wonder if people just send work to a complete stranger?

[@TheBrutumFulmen]

With strange offers: don't be "weary" (tired), be "wary" (cautious).

[@Stephanie-xg7mg]

Yes, thank you! The "leary/leery" variations get me too. But I see and hear all of these used interchangeably so often that sometimes I wonder if it's just me and I've invented the fact that they are not synonyms! No hate though, I love the channel 😊

[@eladiocofresi5202]

I once paid for one of those social media features, and while I was featured, basically no results came about from it. Meanwhile, I am being reminded of a jewelry maker from Scotland who mentioned me to a friend of his in a post.

[@charlottealexander2329]

I got an invitation to post my work in an instagram site. They didn’t ask for money but I’m sure that would have been next. I looked at the site and it was all junk. Not exactly a scam but the university i went to for art school had a policy that they could take any of your art work they wanted. I got nicked for a couple of pieces. One of the pieces was for a supposed show in Europe that i had to make a special piece for. Only did it because my art teacher asked me to enter. Of course it was never returned. It wasn’t a big deal but you would think your school would look out for you a bit.

[@pennykent5687]

I can't help it. You guys are the greatest to look out for us like you do. We ♥️ you.😃👍

[@susanc.houghtondogandfolka3163]

Yep the RAW artists scam found me by my facebook page. It felt suspicious from the very beginning. I also got an email from a fine art America visitor that had the same email as the one you read. I played with them a bit and then when I told them my grandfather who used to beat me, spontaneously combusted all over the art they wanted, and how the only thing he left behind was a smoldering ummm male body part, they left me alone. 😂

[@cordialgreetingsart]

“Scam wow”🤣 You gotta make a graphic sticker or something for that one!

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

I wonder if Vince would sell it?!? ;o)

[@marioalfaro3]

We've received some of those emails/messages... I'm glad I can't afford to pay them... lol Thanks again for the clarity :)

[@blazewarriorwolf]

It's like leave us artists alone! I recommend doing research and partnering up with people and organizations you actually support!

[@Msannamitta]

I heard about the husband /anniversary / surprise / scam almost like they don’t leave a person alone. Also the art institute scam not accredited colleges. They kept calling me every single day for about a month and this was out of Indiana, I know it was a scam because I ran into a couple in an art supply store that had just moved from there explaining this to them and they told me straight up it was a scam. It’s good to network with other artists. Do your research! So glad you brought up this topic! Thanks!

[@Joe_334]

I just saw a vid where the scammer was claiming to be doing it for their upcoming anniversary.

[@colleenbeers8572]

Preach it!!! I keep getting emails from a “gallery” in Italy wanting to pay for me to come and show my work... no thanks!

[@randomish4285]

Colleen Beers Ikr

[@saya_art_studio]

Is it maybe Giulia Tassi with ITsliquid "show" :D ?

[@colleenbeers8572]

artLINEanimation it’s from “Banditto”

[@kabrinaquintana4464]

Scam wow 😂 .. I love how Klee always ties together something Rafi was trying to say. Lol i love you guys.

[@anac4827]

A typical scam here where I live is when stores ask you to leave your product for them to sell (not sure what is the name for that in English). When you go back there are "missing" pieces, damaged product and all kind of horror stories. I haven't done that but many people I know have and the results are always terrible for the artist

[@chubbyjaydraws]

Ana Cardenas sounds like what they call a Consignment shop here in the states

[@ataattosbt]

Ana Cardenas “on consignment” may be the term you are referring to.

[@anac4827]

Consignment, right

[@Jules_Pew]

In the Uk we have sale or return. A contract needs to be signed to cover yourself and if the work is damaged.

[@ShelleyHannaArt]

Thanks for doing this video. I wish I had seen it before I started getting all the scam emails. The first one I got was the email you mentioned and I had a gut feeling something was off, but kept emailing them because I didn’t know. They wanted a bunch of information from me which I wouldn’t give them. They still persisted in wanting to purchase a painting for $700 but mailed me a check for $7,000 (I gave them my work address). When I got that check I just took it straight to the police station. Too many red flags flying. It’s sad because artists work so hard. The inquiry makes you feel excited someone is interested and then you feel like an idiot when you realize they are “scam wowzers”. 👐

[@elefantrising]

I’m so underground no one contacts me, I don’t have artist problems hahaha

[@lisalovelylpa]

Pablo Lopez me too lol

[@elefantrising]

@@lisalovelylpa Im going to come out of the closet soon. I am sick of no one trying to steal my work!

[@mariec5716]

When they finally discover you You will be in soon as.trust me. You will see you will be contacted all of the time. Just mark my words. I am famously approached by scammers breakfast lunch and at dinner time . Honestly if you are asked for money stay away. Believe me the world is mostly a big con. I am a solicitor and i do art mostly for fun a to see if i can sell art.

[@elefantrising]

Marie c I think that is a very true fear. I have a commercial art degree I have making a living as a designer and art director for over 20 years. Painting is a release and I have been approached a few times about putting it out, I went as far as showing to rep not long ago. But as a habit I do not follow up. I have to admit the new series I have done is at least to me worth showing.

[@bluewaterpines8323]

Well this seasoned maker was taken in a parking lot by said buyer.When i stated i dont take checks,they assured me they were in the next town over.Wholesale about 30 pieces later said person does not exist nor was it a viable check.i was extremely ashamed of my falling for this,as i knew better.So,it can also happen on the real.Thank you both.Exellent content.

[@bluewaterpines8323]

@@Rafiwashere exactly...grrrr.

[@richardbirkett697]

Sparkling Turds! Give me Jazz Hands!

[@Vintage_Tales_Studio]

Thanks for this video today. A shop approached me via my Etsy shop. Now, I am being more cautious.

[@mariec5716]

By someone wanting to promote my work from happens every few days for a big fee. I have never replied. I need to pay them. I am the artist mot them i should be paid up front and thats that.

[@mariec5716]

From etsy.

[@Scarlet.L.A.]

I know the scammers too, over here in Belgium (Europe) the scammers are also very active. I had once a mail from some man who was stationed on a ship in Italy, and he wanted 3 paintings and somebody else was coming to get it and he was also talking about cheques and this and that. I don't even answer those mails. If it is too good to be true it isn't true! Over here people don't use cheques any longer (unless maybe for buying a car), and the law in our country is that every amount above 3000 euro you have to use bank transfer. You can't buy anything above 3000 euro in cash. It has its pros and contra's of course, I don't have to think twice if somebody uses the word 'cheque'. Greetings from Belgium!

[@LynnePriceStudio]

That first email you showed (with the typos and less than stellar English) has been sent out, word-for-word, from various senders. I don't know if it is the same person or not of course. But they target folks at Daily Paintworks a lot. I have received two with the same wording. One was from an Edward-somebody. I really wanted to blast him.

[@SuperXrunner]

Why not just have a website like any other where they pay what needs to be paid upfront and then you just ignore the rest

[@charlotteboy6783]

Great video. So many people get scammed, these days. It's really disheartening that people will take advantage of other's generosity or misfortune.

[@suegardner]

These days im so suspicious, any wacky looking emails I copy and paste into google, the scams pop up immediately. Good topic for this vid, it seems many artists are getting captured by these vultures

[@suegardner]

as if by magic, in my inbox today! Greetings! My name is Leah Port from United Kingdom. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of work. I'm also impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too,You are doing a great job. I would like to purchase one of your items available below and ready for sale as a surprise to my wife on our anniversary. Also, my method of payment is by Bank Cheque as mode of Payment and if you agreed get back to me with the details below now. :D :D :D The poor wife really needs him to stop 'actually observing' 'various items' and buy her a laptop of her very own.

[@Vintage_Tales_Studio]

I sent you guys a message because I want one of Klee's bracelets! I can't wait!

[@marycorcoran6882]

Hi rafi and clee you didn't cover art being stolen by galleries and businesses. Has happened me a number of times. Even a bank tried to hold back some paintings that I showed there.

[@marycorcoran6882]

@@Rafiwashere good idea. I didn't think of that. I love your videos. Apologies to Klee for spelling her name wrong.

[@sarahhammond2517]

I just discovered your channel so I've been catching up on your older videos. I love you and your lovely wife; your dynamic is awesome! I was shook when I heard the first scam because someone tried that on me not long after I first started putting myself out there. Thankfully I didn't fully trust it so I wasn't going to send anything until the check cleared. Of course it didn't because it was a forgery. I'm so grateful for being cautious. Others might not be so lucky. So glad your spreading the message! Thanks for the content!

[@GAWells-lj7qo]

You guys are great! Thanks again!

[@jkuschelart2185]

Glittering turds and scam wow - you're awesome Klee 😃❤

[@lisagreene8104]

Thank you so much for all your guidance and support!

[@SalazarArtNation]

I've gotten companies on IG wanting to do "collabs" , and it's buy my stuff and you'll get a discount. I don't think they know what collab is haha Another one i get and just got it the other day is companies asking me to review their products but i have to buy it and after i give them a positive 5 star review i get my money back. So they're guaranteeing that they get positive reviews. I'm not sure if that is a scam or not,since money is being returned and if you like the product then you will leave a good review. But my ethics makes me question it.

[@SalazarArtNation]

@Steve Gracy yes,that's what made my spidey sense tingle lol

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

A couple things (because I do have friends involved in the "reviews" market, both in text (magazine/e-zine articles) and on videos. This kind of targeting is unethical at the best of times, and outright illegal in at least some form. 1. Legitimately good products, get good reviews without a lot of effort. Hey! They're good products that actually DO the thing(s) they're supposed to do... who doesn't like that? 2. Money out of pocket for a product or service delivered, has no legal precedent to be paid back. BE VERY CAREFUL ON THIS ONE... Some companies are "above board" in so many syllables and deliver exactly as they say, upon a decent review, you do get the money back... However, this is still unethical. If they TRULY felt as strongly about their product as they claimed, giving just one away for a review of any kind would either guarantee a great review, and a long term relationship with the reviewer (for being treated well) AND it can't possibly hurt them financially. -These products are mass produced, and sold (usually) at a 200% mark up from "cost to produce". In the first year, one can expect on the order of 100, 000 or more sold without marketing more than posting on Amazon, and so picking a dozen or so popular reviewers to send products to and request a spot on a vid' can't hurt. There's PLENTY of accountable marketing budget left. (see how the business model is designed to work?) 3. ANYTIME someone approaches you for a marketing position, they NEED you, not the other way around. In the same vein as the marketing pamphlets and "junk mail" that piles up in mailboxes, email accounts, and PO boxes around the country, these people are pushing their products out the door, probably because they won't move out that door without help. I am capable of finding great products to talk about, IF I'm on the KZbin bent of showing great stuff off. I'm pretty sure YOU (along with countless other folks) are as well. Take a moment, think about it carefully, and then perhaps even pop online and do some research to see who or what rates as a better seller in Ebay, Amazon, or wherever else you might shop online... Maybe even get in touch (reach out... certainly!) with someone else who does reviews regularly and ask what their impressions might be. On certain kinds of specialty products (like a graphics tablet, for example) even jot down your notes from the online search... and then head over to a competent Computer Supply store and ask questions of anyone IN the industry. See what they think of the thing... BUT remember, people with truly great products, usually don't need a lot of help selling them. I never did. If I let word out that something I owned was that good... I had a riot at my booth in pretty short order, demands for me to make more of the things, and rain-checks being requested even faster than I could Scroogle to find out "what the hell is a rain check???" ;o)

[@SalazarArtNation]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 I totally agree , I want it to be clear i wasn't on the fence of whether i should do it. I was just unsure about the legality of it. I turn them down,the most recent one that reached out to me,i asked them many questions and then let them know i couldn't be buying anything right now either way. So they offered to send me something for free lol Thanks for all the info,i had my reservations about this type of "review" marketing.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@SalazarArtNation Clear enough... You might find it interesting, though, a channel called "Crowne Prince" does a fair amount of "animation" on YT (often about all things animation and anime)... In the "Scribble Kibble" series around #102 or close (if you scour their vid's) is one about "The problems with Graphic Tablet reviews" where they get in depth about some of the depravity regarding these kinds of "forced positive" review tactics... There have been a few YT-ers who've quit various functions in reviews from exactly this kind of thing. AND I understand you're questioning the legality. In the most technical (legal?) sense, it counts as "high pressure salesmanship", since they aren't exactly forcing anything. Mostly... Since they only hinge "paying back for the price" of the product, based on a favorable review, you still CAN give a negative or even horrible review of the thing... technically, letting them "off the hook" in court. Once in a while, however, there is a line that gets crossed, and lawsuit material can show up... usually inviting charges of extortion or racketeering... "Say... This is a nice channel you got building a nice little following. It would be a pity to see something demonize and destroy all that work for you." THAT... is illegal. The rest... I consider "deceptive marketing" and is (at least) unethical. If you wanted to know the finer point in the law... for sure. In any case, just hope I helped out a bit. Check out the Scribble Kibble. It's enlightening... including the other ones about animation and anime... even referencing things on YT from time to time. ;o)

[@SalazarArtNation]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 I'll check them out,thanks for the advice.

[@lauracolorstoo]

This!! I've been approached by every type of scam you've mentioned and luckily I wasn't living under a rock. The one that almost got me was a more sophisticated version of your email example where they named a work they wanted and had specific questions that seemed legit, but the western union check request and the big hurry had me running for the hills.

[@josephgiunta4430]

Valuable information. Thanks for presenting. I like the format too.

[@barefoothippies]

A facebook event page for pacific northwest artists and crafters has had a few peeps tell stories of sending in pictures, jury fees, and/or vendor fees and it turned out there was NO event going on at that location when they showed up. It sounds stupid, but call the venue before paying to confirm the event exists and confirm the contact info for the event coordinators. A real show could be going on, but you could have scam contact info. Especially if they tell you there is one spot left -HURRY- or you'll miss out. Also if you leave your items on consignment with an unestablished/brand new gallery or gift shop, please please please, make a detailed inventory and only leave a small amount of items. Have heard of several local crafters excited to consign at a small space in a nearby city and it was gone in less than two months with everyone's stuff. AN ENTIRE gift shop FULL of crafty stuff like soaps, greeting cards, candles, jewelry, paintings, etc... Love this video. If it sounds awesome - stop and think and ask lots of questions.

[@a.jlondon9039]

Great Advice. Really Appreciate your channel. Love the Raven painting.

[@elizabethhamilton1166]

Be weary AND wary! :-D Thank you for your advice.

[@coloradojoe6274]

Back in the day, I accepted a $500 check as payment. It bounced. Lesson learned. Accept cash only (in full) for finished work. If it's commissioned work, make them pay half up front (as a non refundable deposit) and the rest when done. That way, if they change their mind when you're half way through or almost done, you don't get cheated. Time and work is money. Never hand over work until you've collected all your money. I make sure to tell my buyers that all sales are final.(No refunds)

[@DustyTeachesArt]

So I'm thinking the 2 people that clicked on the thumbs down for this video (at the time I am typing) must be scammers who are mad that you pointed out scammers..lol

[@richm6633]

I was just thinking about those old poem books!! :P First scam I became aware of back in high school. "Oh, you like my poem!? Oh... you just want to sell me something"

[@Angela10277088]

So helpful! Thank you! There were a couple of nuanced scams I hadn't heard of; this just breaks my heart. It is really cool that you guys put this video out to help everyone recognize the scamwows.

[@xxtragg]

I got one on Etsy saying they don’t have a way to pay online and asked if they could send me a check. My initial thought was as long as I don’t ship before the check clears I’d be fine but fortunately I was advised that’s not correct, that a check can clear and later come back as fraud. I told them to use their check to buy a reloadable gift card since that’s easy to do and make the purchase on Etsy if they are interested. It never happened of course! I guess I should refuse checks in person at events also?

[@kcravenfilms]

that sounds like Raw Artist, luckily a friend warned me about them when they contacted me

[@ieri_creations]

Awe. Those poem things were scams? I thought I was a master wordsmith. :(

[@mkorpal1]

Very useful, thank you for this video 💜💜💜

[@catherinesegeren9747]

Thank you so much for your information I'm a senior citizen and I do acrylic and oils and I get blasted with stuff

[@fightthegoodfight52]

You guys are spot on with all of these! Gash, I get so many of them all the time. I usually just ignore them!

[@emmanuellerivard756]

In 2013 I was approached by the Agora Gallery in New York. I thought it was my dream coming true. I ended up paying thousands of dollars for a show where they squeezed my paintings with about 25 other artists (they didn't told me it was a ''double group show''). They didn't even promote my art. I lost my money, my pride, my studio, my inspiration and I went into a deep depression. Don't ever fall for that trap!

[@CherylScott]

Please do a Part 2 on Art Coaching!

[@brucestricklandart3608]

I created my Instagram account a few weeks ago and my first two followers turned out to be related accounts from China. One of them contacted me through email the next day wanting to do a business venture with me because they loved my paintings so much. I researched her email address and it turns out to be some Chinese diaper making company, however what she mentioned in her email was something completely different. Yeah right, I never replied because all that does is give them a door in to start communicating with you. Thanks to my wife I now have three followers and I’m pretty sure I can trust her. I guess she felt sorry for me. 😂😂 Great information guys, appreciate you posting this. I could see how easy younger kids could fall for this kind of stuff. And it’s good that they get to learn now before they get ripped off.

[@pjmartin6690]

OMG That first scam you talked about happened to me... right down to the anniversary part! It was on Facebook. I remember who it was because he has showed interest in my work since and his wife!! I just looked at our Messengers and there is nothing there!!! Scary!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!

[@saintjamesmodernart]

Great Info. James

[@artpipe]

Been getting more email scams after creating an instagram and facebook account, got the RAW artists one last week.

[@ShawNshawN]

the art scam is art books that get sent around. I think I joined one or two and was excited about the mass distribution. Then another friend of mine that works at a large professional museum said they got those books all the time and threw them straight in the trash! LOL

[@Joe_334]

Looks like another war besides trucking. I have heard of people stealing diesel fuel at the company I ran for. Now I am here trying to get back into my fun little hobby. Now I am hearing scammers are stealing art, tracing AI, passing off stolen art off as their own, or just scamming money. Geez... perhaps the scammers needs a Hobby, or better yet a Job!

[@scrappysinger]

I would watch these videos even if I weren’t an artist. LOL. U2 crack me up!

[@rhinoman1984]

If you suspect a phone call, email or strange text within 5 seconds or less. Just go with your gut and delete the message. Remember the old saying "If it sounds too good to e true that's because it usually is."

[@Rafiwashere]

So true!

[@celestialpiper8284]

Just had this happen to me today. Luckily I know what to watch for. This is the third time.

[@mlmattin]

I get a lot of emails about entering art "contests". There is always a submission fee. The winner gets some prize and is featured in blah, blah, blah.

[@TheBrutumFulmen]

the sad part is that this is also an accurate description of a lot of "legitimate" contests

[@stacycreates24]

I was in a vanity gallery many years ago. Anyone with “art” could pay money for wall space. If you want to volunteer, you could eventually buy a bigger wall.

[@darrinsmith6326]

I was approached by RAW and it looked great on the internet. But when I talked to the guy over the phone it turned out to be a buy 20 tickets to get your space.....glad I passed 😁

[@ivonep8166]

Great content here in the UK 🇬🇧 we have loads of scams we need to be so careful very sad we can’t trust anyone ♥️

[@seapossumsforrest8162]

This is a great topic! Thank you for posting!

[@mattwood8659]

I've had a fair few. One of them was being approached by raw which wanted you to sell x amount of tickets and make up the difference if you didn't sell them all. Glad I declined. And from what I hear it's not an event suited for artists anyway. I got approached by a publisher wanting to publish one of my illustrations in some art directory book but that I had to pay 300 for the honour. Yeah no. Shouldn't they pay me? Another one was a wood printing business wanted to print some of my stuff on wood for a gallery overseas. I sent them a flat low res watermarked file for testing so I could see what the results were. Never heard back. I've gotten people wanting to buy digital files because shipping takes too long.. I don't trust this at all I only sell physical items. I did this once and even watermarked and low end print dpi (150 instead of 300). They complained that it printed out blury but never asked for money back. However I then found that piece stolen and sold out on etsy.

[@DonDon-ju4yv]

Yep! I’ve also had someone buy with credit card- receive the art and then dispute the charges, stating she never received the art. in affect trying to get free art. But we have cameras! And she was caught. She carried that piece of art out the door:) Sadly she was a local business lady by the Gallery. What...did she think we wouldn’t recognize her? Odd.

[@diomedea13]

I got one "We have exhibit in Brunei please send your bank information so we can do ACH after you send us pieces." I also find some of my local large shows to be quite predatory. $400 for a space + more for electricity + more for walls + insurance fee (even when I have business insurance). They constantly invite me so one time I saved the date and went to the show just to see if it was really that great. The show was poorly trafficked and many artists had that desperate "need to make my fees back" look - note that this is in an area with tiny population and low average wages though culturally people LOVE art here and it's marvelous for smaller items. $400 is reasonable in a large metropolitan area but around here it's just REALLY?

[@terrimalerbi8975]

Wow. Good info! Thank you and the jazz hands! 💜

[@teresaf.gargano8088]

I love you two. Always, always very helpful information.

[@Nikkmoon44]

Klee is legit hilarious!

[@BorntobeWild.]

Great advice. Thanks

[@paul5540]

Nft,scams,creepeee,watch,out,

[@sandradixon2892]

We have a yearly art show in our town. It started out to be free to display your art. Over the last 5 or 6 years it has turned into a scam. Now you pay $100 for a 10'x10 area ( minis your walkway), They get 30% of sales and you donate a piece of your art for auction. Pluses there is a admission charge to enter as a buyer. There are 50 artists and you are jammed together.

[@justinhunt4767]

Great information and entertaining

[@Dannzzigg]

What about contests? As a photographer, I see many opportunities to enter contest that all come with a fee. How can you tell which ones are legitimate and which ones are not?

[@mikerusznak]

Awesome info! thanks for the heads up. "Scam wow"! LOL.

[@BoxedCrowable]

I'm not sure if this was a scam, but it felt weird being part of it. So there was this ad on Craigslist for 'COMIC ARTIST WANTED' and I applied it without thinking cause I was desperate to get myself out in the world at the time because college wasn't singing the songs I hoped for and an easy escape was just what I needed. So. Apparently this business wanted to open their very own convention and thought it would be great to sell their own branded comics for super cheap. Meaning ... we got paid super cheap. I think it would be like $1-$5 per comic. I should of backed off right then and there, but I was lucky. I finished my first comic with another writer-- who didn't seem to know how to write comics cause he would put like 10 paragraphs for each scene and expected me to juggle the puzzle he left me. In other words the comic sucked and he dropped out on me out of nowhere. The people promised they'd get me another writer for the next issue but ... nothing came out of it. So I got one comic issue done for them and I think 10 other artists did the same. Then out of nowhere the convention guys DISAPPEARED. No say on what happened. I assumed maybe things didn't work out cause if you look up M4GTC their social media is still around! So who knows if it were a scam. All I know is the artists got really screwed on all that work. And yes you can see a picture of my cover -- I was the Island. 4 years ago my art was still in baby mode XD So, maybe all in all this was just really good practice. I'm just happy nothing worse happened.

[@BoxedCrowable]

I am now too.

[@roxanneazul]

I was approached by a user on I that has 97k followers and I only have 40. They asked o feature me but I am unable to dm and I kinda thought it was a scam somehow and they said dm for details to be featured. I put money on it that they want money....

[@SuperXrunner]

This great content though...I want watch more but I've been told I'm on my phone too much

[@birdpainter452]

It should be their money upfront, plus bank references from them. No shipment until check or payment clears. Don’t get into consignments. Remember that there are more people trying to scam you than want to buy your art.

[@duantorruellas716]

Though most of this is common sense , it's good what you're doing. I hate scams as well and everyone isn't aware of this stuff . But like you said everything out there isn't a glittering prize. You guys are both hilarious and adorable , especially Cleo, she funny. And like the ancient tribes I met when I was young , called rainbow people , you guys give us useful info to guard against the wicked tongue. Many blessings.

[@LadyArtist3059]

Thank you so freaked much

[@caron-bowman]

There was a gallery in Miami's Art district that would connect and sell your artwork to the design industry. They also had well known artists as part of the gallery. To me, it was a sophisticated scheme because it looked really good from the outside( the space was beautiful and in Wynwood). The gallery required the buyers, art consultants, and decorators to purchase a membership and fill out an application to enter the gallery. The artists had to go through a jury process and purchase wall space to sell at the gallery. The gallery was only open by appointment. The well-known artists did not pay any fees and may not have been fully aware of the situation. They had major corporations sponsoring events at their facility . They had articles written about the gallery in national magazines. People caught on and the place is now closed. Was this a vanity gallery, in my opinion, yes because the owners were not genuinely connecting artists to buyers . I did not fall for this scheme because it seemed fishy.

[@diomedea13]

There was a similar one in Seattle back in the 2000s. 70% commission on all sales, beautiful space, hanging/curation fees along with corporate sponsors. The husband and friends of the gallery's manager were well known artists and had the majority of the space. They contacted me, nearly had me in the door but then I noticed where the other "emerging artists" had their work wedged in the back and would not be visible during the "gallery opening" because they were also next to the kitchen area. I ran for the hills. It's now an espresso shop.

[@cordialgreetingsart]

I have been confronted about my product being part of some online home decor store and they wanted me to be part of their drop shipping. I was like ummm ... no. I didn’t trust I would get any $$ out of it. Another one was someone pretending to be an influencer who basically wanted free stuff and said he would promote it on his KZbin channel. I think the guy was an influencer wannabe? 🤣 He had way less followers than me. Even if he had a bunch of bought followers (cause I found out people can buy 10k followers now🤨) do not all the followers are organic out there. I have been approached for wholesale too but it was shady. Why would I want to sell a bunch of my products for less? Knowing the store marks it up 20%-25%. When I can sell them full price on my own? I do all the work. I should be the one who benefits and not the store. Consignment shops I understand and I have been in 2 with no problem and they take their % of sales. As long as I can sell it and get a return.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

In my area (and observation) "Wholesale" as a term indicates 45-65% of "retail price"... that price you pay by the item at a booth or kiosk or in an actual store... Not trying to be a d***, or anything. I just wonder at the business model that only marks up 20 or 25%... on much of anything. When I've been targeted for a "wholesales" offer, I generally decline. There's just no possible way for me to justify that kind of mark-up on my stuff when I don't ask anything close to it in my own booths. Sure, I can sell to "dealers" (other people with booths to fill and rent to make up) with a gracious price, BUT only if I can still make my money. I've got to survive, even if they'd prefer to sell for me, so I'm not right outside outselling and undercutting their whole inventory. I can make arrangements... don't get me wrong. Consignments... Usually (around here again) the going consignment is on a 15-25% "take"... as in "off the top". Both are terms used to mean, the shop gets their cut off the ticket price BEFORE anything else is considered, and if there's anything else to be considered, they prefer YOU do the considering... (lolz) Generally, if a piece goes for $100, then the shop takes their "cut" first, and I get the rest, which I've done fairly frequently with reputable (and established) shops. I'm cautious about new shops. There's a steady traffic of "shit-shows" that popup in old buildings, operate long enough to clutter up with inventory, and then shut down abruptly and empty in the dead of night... Mysteriously another "management" opens up a few weeks later, and new inventory is being brought in "on top of inventory that magically showed up with management"... Again, not trying to be a d***... Just thought a market perspective not necessarily familiar to you might help broaden your view a bit... for better or worse. Hope it helps. ;o)

[@cordialgreetingsart]

@ gnarth d’arkanen it depends on your location in the country. I live in the Midwest small suburban town. The one specialty grocery store takes local consignments from certain folks. Maybe it’s marked up more for food items. But the local candle vendor told me what she sells her candles for snd it’s marked up 25% in the shop. I know grocery stores it depends on the department have a certain markup to survive. (I used to do price coordination back in the day) Meat dept was marked up 25-30%, produce 20%, bakery and deli items were 40-50% and frozen was 15-20% and grocery section of the store was 15%. I think it depends on the location of the area. If it’s a cheaper economic area the store owner knows they can’t mark it up 50% but 25% might work for them. The home decor place I am in charges a monthly booth fee and takes 10% of sales commission. If you make more than your booth amount you get the profit side of things with a check. Another consignment place I was in charged a booth free monthly plus 15% of sales and contracted you to stay for 6 months. (Now I see why the contract 👎☹️) where as the recent place asks for a 30 day notice and she turns things quickly in that local shop with new housing popping up all over. Flipping dining sets and accessories like crazy! Constantly new furniture in the store every week!

[@cordialgreetingsart]

@ gnarth d’arkanen. I have found I can sell my items better online than I can locally too. Especially certain products. The economic area doesn’t appear to be my audience but I can sell my Pyrography 🔥artwork to people on the east coast and west coast better. I have found certain things also sell better locally than online too. It’s interesting.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@cordialgreetingsart Yeah... the oldest three original rules in business for success : 1. Location 2. Location 3. Location In exactly that order. Jokes aside, it does matter. Different areas somehow automagically cater to different styles and themes. I'm in the "bible belt" and in the "sticks"... SO it serves me almost no purpose at all to sell "perishable" stuff... Too many already make the monthly pilgrimage to Wally World for that. On restorations and reproductions, I've been involved in the antiquities trade long enough to get quality information consistently, BUT the standard fare for my efforts is the same as a finder's fee, %15 flat... I'll occasionally take a job quoted (to me) above it, but I can just as easily back off, in case a "noob" has let his mouth outrun his brain. (it happens... lolz) I was generically speaking to non-perishable and non-consumable items as you'd commonly find in a "junk" or "thrift" type store, even the antique dealers around here tend to more resemble a thrift-shop (like a Salvation Army post from 200 years ago) than an antique store or gallery... BUT... it's the rustic charm of the locale (and why so many go under)... As an artist in general, it's important to note that even locals who appreciate your work, won't necessarily want everything you do. That's a wide variety... as with most of us creatives. What sells well in one spot, won't turn a dime in another. ...coming from a guy who used to run the country wide shows, fairs, and festivals circuits... everything from Pow-Wows to biker rallies... ;o)

[@hollybroxson5635]

I've gotten that same kind of email, too. Same story.

[@kevinoverbeck4250]

I remember those poetry books! It seemed like such a chance for a breakout!

[@ccswelding1599]

as of Oct.17 2019 : 3 Nigerian princes thumbed down this video

[@Gothikah]

Im kind of a startng artist and I defenitly fell for that scam about oh we've seen your artwork, would you like to join our contest? And then I had to pay money to get in, just to be juried. I didnt even get in the magazine... I got a online folder with some artwork and info about them and stuff. I only got 1 online magazine. Never heard anything after that, but got a message from 1 of them like a month later, with the exact saem message. I was like Hell no. I also had a feature to some online art magazine, but then also had to pay quiet a bit of money to get in and I was like nope XD Also had once that I bought a bracelet for my bestie, and I'd be featured on their page and get a special code. And I never got that special code, and I never got featured.

[@rebeccas.murphy.]

Oh good! I was hoping you would cover this subject! Thank you for the info!😁 By the way, the jazz hands thing is great, because they just stick out of the crowd.😉

[@MeganButzin]

Got a email that seemed fishy about designing a magazine layout looked up online found the “company” had been doing this for over a year with the same email message except for the company name and contact person was different on some of them. 😬 glad I turned them down.

[@MrJimkg]

SCAM WOW.... LMAO ROFL ...A must use term!

[@Shadow_foxx1]

You guys are awesome!!!!!❤️

[@johngawlik6198]

Thank you!

[@fineartforsmallspaces4007]

I also despise company sponsored contests that state they will own all rights to your submission even if you don't "win"😡

[@ArtHealsTheSoul]

Yup a classic some what scam is MM (Making Art Making Money) She has a program that goes a whole year she calls it an academy it costs $1300 USD or something .She says she found a formula to figure out how to find the right market. She has poster students that tell there amazing success stories.There is now formula that works for all artists the same ,so she makes millions of dollars no matter if the artists succeed or not ! She also clams to be still a successful artist but I doubt it all she does is her MM scam.