Today has been spent preparing the house for the decorators who will make good/paint all woodwork, walls and ceilings whilst we are on holiday. The house is 3 years old now so I hope all the 'shrinkage' cracks have stopped appearing. I've been emptying all the display cabinets, dresser etc so the furniture is lighter to move around ... trouble is I then ended up with crates of glasses and 'best china' and nowhere to store it all! They won't be decorating my 'studio room' so all mirrors, wallhangings and 'breakables' will be temporarily housed here.
Tonight I heard that a commission I despatched to my client on Thursday has arrived with the glass broken and some damage to the portrait (not sure how bad the damage is yet). I have used these couriers (Interparcel) many times before with no problem but when I phoned to inform them of the damage they deny responsibility. Apparently despite having completed the declaration stating what was in the parcel - and paying a higher fee to raise the level of insurance cover - glass items, or items containing glass, are covered for loss only and not damage in transit! Ironically I have despatched 2 framed/glazed portraits to this same client in the past - 3rd time was not lucky! I think this episode has convinced me that I will never offer framed portraits unless the portrait can be delivered or collected.
Tomorrow I have to sort out lots of last minute things at home, remove the pictures from the Gallery (exhibition ends tomorrow) and pack a bag. We leave for the airport in the early hours of Wednesday .. so I have very little time to work out a solution with my client - much depends on what the level of damage is and whether it has to be re-drawn from scratch . I'm not a happy bunny! I will never use Interparcel again!!
I don't even have a happy photo to post today ....
so here's a portrait I drew 4 years ago now ..... the older I get the more I sympathise with this character
So sorry to hear about the portrait damage in the midst of all of you whirlwinds. Sincerely hope it is a quick fix for you. Hope the decorating and travel go well.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Sue. I am so sorry to hear the bad news. I absolutely refuse to mail commissions framed.
ReplyDeleteMostly my work has been shipped to USA and Switzerland with a few interstate works. I use the wide tubes so they don't have too much roll and ship them with layers of good paper.
I do hope the drawing is not damaged beyond repair. Hope all gets resolved before you head off for your trip.
Aww Sue sorry to hear about the damaged picture, what a bummer! Got to be honest I would not send anything with glass through the post, epsecially artwork just too much risk methinks!
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies.
ReplyDeleteI won't be sending any framed commissions through the post in future but I will still need to send exhibition pieces a few times a year - not always possible to drive to Derbyshire or Lincolnshire for instance to deliver and collect artwork.
I've made a couple of suggestions to my client and just waiting to hear what she wants to do
Poor Sue! I won't send framed art through any kind of shipping/post carrier either. It's just not worth the hassle when the client can just as easily have it framed locally.
ReplyDeleteHope your painting can be repaired easily and that you come to a resolution before you leave!
Hope you relax and have a good time on your holiday!
sorry to here about the framed artwork - its dreadful when couriers deny responsibility for something, especially when you've had to pay a premium to cover the artwork against damage! I hope the art can be fixed up all right though.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your exhibition went well and was popular.
Oh Sue, I feel your disappointment and have had EXACTLY the same thing happen which is why I never offer framed portraits anymore, and am even reluctant to post in works for exhibitions. I do hope your client was understanding and that you won't be out of pocket too much!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen
ReplyDeleteShe's a lovely customer. I've offered her a few options and just waiting to hear how she'd like us to resolve this.
I'll look into the acrylic glass option Peter - particularly for exhibition pieces where I sometimes need to ship more than one piece - the weight issue could be important.
Thanks Karen
ReplyDeleteShe's a lovely customer. I've offered her a few options and just waiting to hear how she'd like us to resolve this.
I'll look into the acrylic glass option Peter - particularly for exhibition pieces where I sometimes need to ship more than one piece - the weight issue could be important.
Thats really sad Sue, I ship mine the same as Dors. Having said that Ive also had a (very sturdy) tube bent in half by the posties. Sure youl be able to work it out.
ReplyDeleteSorry Sue, I feel for you.....I don't know about you but as time goes on I feel less able to deal with stressful things. I feel myself more and more like Victor too.
ReplyDeleteI hope it all gets resolved soon, it sounds like your customer is a good one, fingers crossed that it all works out ok and the portrait isn't damaged...
Love Chrissy X
Oh Sue I am so sorry for the problems with the delivery service. It has to be always at the worst time when the bad things happen. Holiday sounds wonderful so try to enjoy yourself and rest up so you can put all your nice things back in their respective places after the painters are finished. Christmas is such a busy time.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome portrait!
ReplyDelete