[nobokov]

Hey all,

Just wanted to share an experience with V1 Gallery.

I purchased a skateboard which advertised it as "SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST" only to find that the signature was printed on it, not signed by the artist. I politely requested a discount based on the false advertising and their response was

"I'm sorry for the trouble, and if you find misleading information on our online store. 

The signature is printed on and he has numbered all the skateboards himself. 

The price is still the same. Feel free to call or write for any further questions."

I reckon that this forum has a lot of influence and buying power and encourage others to follow suit and use it. The gallery also charges non-EU customers VAT and will not voluntarily refund it unless prompted.

[Happy Shopper]

Apr 13, 2018 14:59:57 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Hey all,

Just wanted to share an experience with V1 Gallery.

I purchased a skateboard which advertised it as "SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST" only to find that the signature was printed on it, not signed by the artist. I politely requested a discount based on the false advertising and their response was

"I'm sorry for the trouble, and if you find misleading information on our online store. 

The signature is printed on and he has numbered all the skateboards himself. 

The price is still the same. Feel free to call or write for any further questions."

I reckon that this forum has a lot of influence and buying power and encourage others to follow suit and use it. The gallery also charges non-EU customers VAT and will not voluntarily refund it unless prompted.

That's pretty stupid of them. You should return it and get a refund... and they should pay for the shipping.

[Daylight Robber]

I'd be getting my card credit company on the case if the item wasn't as described and the gallery is refusing to budge.

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 15:07:04 GMT 1 Happy Shopper said:

Apr 13, 2018 14:59:57 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Hey all,

Just wanted to share an experience with V1 Gallery.

I purchased a skateboard which advertised it as "SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST" only to find that the signature was printed on it, not signed by the artist. I politely requested a discount based on the false advertising and their response was

"I'm sorry for the trouble, and if you find misleading information on our online store. 

The signature is printed on and he has numbered all the skateboards himself. 

The price is still the same. Feel free to call or write for any further questions."

I reckon that this forum has a lot of influence and buying power and encourage others to follow suit and use it. The gallery also charges non-EU customers VAT and will not voluntarily refund it unless prompted.

That's pretty stupid of them. You should return it and get a refund... and they should pay for the shipping.

Yeah I should return it, but actually like the deck. But perhaps just based on principle, it should be returned. It's just a hassle and who knows if they'll even honor a return. Let me request it anyhow and see how this gallery responds, just to see how unethical they are.

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 15:08:00 GMT 1 Daylight Robber said:

I'd be getting my card credit company on the case if the item wasn't as described and the gallery is refusing to budge.

Thanks that's a great tip, I'll keep that up my sleeve until truly needed, but wanted to let everyone know about V1. It's unbelievablely poor behavior...

[chevyav53]

Why not leave a Google or Yelp review as well. That is more visible and may get their attention. Checking their site and the boards on there for sale all say Signed and Numbered by the artist. It is misleading if the same as what you purchased.

[irl1]

Apr 13, 2018 14:59:57 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Hey all,

Just wanted to share an experience with V1 Gallery.

I purchased a skateboard which advertised it as "SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST" only to find that the signature was printed on it, not signed by the artist. I politely requested a discount based on the false advertising and their response was

"I'm sorry for the trouble, and if you find misleading information on our online store. 

The signature is printed on and he has numbered all the skateboards himself. 

The price is still the same. Feel free to call or write for any further questions."

I reckon that this forum has a lot of influence and buying power and encourage others to follow suit and use it. The gallery also charges non-EU customers VAT and will not voluntarily refund it unless prompted.

A lot of auction houses do this so called "signed and numbered" but forget to put the word "PRINT" before the word signed. 

[irl1]

If the gallery is in the E.U i'm not sure but as its a business i think you have a 14 day cooling off period to change your mind and return. 

[irl1]

www.consumereurope.dk/purchase-and-rights/rights/cancellation-right/

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 16:08:06 GMT 1 geester said:

Apr 13, 2018 16:03:39 GMT 1 irl1 said:

www.consumereurope.dk/purchase-and-rights/rights/cancellation-right/

He's not even asked if he can return it yet, I think it's a little early for consumer law!

I've dealt with V1 gallery a few times and they've always been extremely professional. I'm sure a refund won't be an issue, asking for a discount like a cheap-ass on the other hand....... 

Yeah you pegged me as a cheap-ass correctly, but what exactly would you have asked for if you had been deceived but still wanted to keep the item?

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 15:40:47 GMT 1 chevyav53 said:

Why not leave a Google or Yelp review as well. That is more visible and may get their attention. Checking their site and the boards on there for sale all say Signed and Numbered by the artist. It is misleading if the same as what you purchased.

Definitely, thanks I'll share this experience everywhere I can. A gallery should be held accountable when they're deceiving their customers.

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 16:03:39 GMT 1 irl1 said:

www.consumereurope.dk/purchase-and-rights/rights/cancellation-right/

Thank you for the link - appreciate the information! It'll be very useful.

[irl1]

I have seen this "signed and numbered" in many auctions, then you ask and they say, print signed. I don't know the Gallery so i can't say anything about them. I was just making sure the member knew the 14 day cooling off for a return in the E.U. Only thing about it if you change your mind and return you must pay the shipping. There is a hell of a difference between a hand signed item and a print signed one.  

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 16:23:43 GMT 1 geester said:

Apr 13, 2018 16:10:35 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Yeah you pegged me as a cheap-ass correctly, but what exactly would you have asked for if you had been deceived but still wanted to keep the item?

The description on the website was incorrect, they apologised for that in their reply. That would have been enough for me.

If I felt like it was a major issue and I'd been intentionally deceived I'd be returning it for a full refund rather than trying to negotiate money off from a scam company that I'm telling others to beware of.

I'm glad that you're such a forgiving gent. It only makes sense to me to provide monetary compensation when you have been discovered to have falsely advertised a product even if by accident, as any legitimate business would do. If you bought an apple from a grocery store and you found that they incorrectly charged you, they generally give you the apple for free, without you having to request compensation. I've also requested a refund and full return at their cost.

Besides, "I'm sorry for the trouble, and if you find misleading information on our online store," is not much of an apology.

In my two encounters with V1, I've only had negative experiences. First last year, when I had to request multiple times to refund the VAT and they had also poorly packed items which were damaged (I overlooked the damaged in that case), and now in this case. I've learned my lesson and I hope that through my experiences, others can also avoid learning an annoying lesson as well.

[cyberkid]

v1 is a well respected gallery by many collectors. their behavior is strange in your case.
the EU law is clear and on your side. you can return everything (within 14 days) bought in an online store - without any reason.

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 16:41:49 GMT 1 cyberkid said:

v1 is a well respected gallery by many collectors. their behavior is strange in your case.
the EU law is clear and on your side. you can return everything (within 14 days) bought in an online store - without any reason.

Thanks Cyberkid. Does the law indicate whether the return shipping should be covered by the seller? Thank you

[Coach]

Apr 13, 2018 16:13:23 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Apr 13, 2018 15:40:47 GMT 1 chevyav53 said:

Why not leave a Google or Yelp review as well. That is more visible and may get their attention. Checking their site and the boards on there for sale all say Signed and Numbered by the artist. It is misleading if the same as what you purchased.

Definitely, thanks I'll share this experience everywhere I can. A gallery should be held accountable when they're deceiving their customers.

Maybe give them the chance to refund first? If they do, there’s no loss, and the description may have simply been a mistake.

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 16:55:25 GMT 1 Coach said:

Apr 13, 2018 16:13:23 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Definitely, thanks I'll share this experience everywhere I can. A gallery should be held accountable when they're deceiving their customers.

Maybe give them the chance to refund first? If they do, there’s no loss, and the description may have simply been a mistake.

Agreed, it could be an incorrect label due to the language since they're in Denmark. I'll see how they respond and escalate if it is warranted. 

[cyberkid]

Apr 13, 2018 16:51:37 GMT 1 nobokov said:

Apr 13, 2018 16:41:49 GMT 1 cyberkid said:

v1 is a well respected gallery by many collectors. their behavior is strange in your case.
the EU law is clear and on your side. you can return everything (within 14 days) bought in an online store - without any reason.

Thanks Cyberkid. Does the law indicate whether the return shipping should be covered by the seller? Thank you

this is not indicated by law (= the buyer have to pay the return shipping costs if he wants to return something). but they have to refund you the shipping costs from DK to GB (if you paid shipping costs)

[ncewnimw]

Sorry to hear that you feel mislead. I totally understand you given the item description.

However. What you really need to ask your self at this point is if the deck still is worth the price paid. If not I'd return it. Myself I'd return it. Ask politely and I'm sure the will act helpful. Ive only had very good experiences with em.

Best of luck!

[dotdot]

fwiw - I've used V1 a few times , I trust them - that won't change.

Explain your views ask for advice / guidance options from them - then evaluate and execute.

They seem reasonable in most respects , that shouldn't mean you see something different.

good luck.

..

[nobokov]

Apr 13, 2018 20:36:11 GMT 1 dotdot said:

fwiw - I've used V1 a few times , I trust them - that won't change.

Explain your views ask for advice / guidance options from them - then evaluate and execute.

They seem reasonable in most respects , that shouldn't mean you see something different.

good luck.

..

Thanks ncewnimw and dotdot

[Alan Craig]

Apr 13, 2018 20:36:11 GMT 1 dotdot said:

fwiw - I've used V1 a few times , I trust them - that won't change.

Explain your views ask for advice / guidance options from them - then evaluate and execute.

They seem reasonable in most respects , that shouldn't mean you see something different.

good luck.

..

I’ve also bought from them in a number of occasions, and they’ve always been excellent...

[oxfordwelshchap]

Apr 13, 2018 16:08:06 GMT 1 geester said:

Apr 13, 2018 16:03:39 GMT 1 irl1 said:

www.consumereurope.dk/purchase-and-rights/rights/cancellation-right/

He's not even asked if he can return it yet, I think it's a little early for consumer law!

I've dealt with V1 gallery a few times and they've always been extremely professional. I'm sure a refund won't be an issue, asking for a discount like a cheap-ass on the other hand....... 

He is well within his rights to ask for a discount and any sensible person would do so. It is not being 'cheap-ass' as you put it. It makes perfect sense.

I would return it immediately to be honest.

[nobokov]

V1 has now done the right thing. They've updated their website to correctly describe the product as with a printed signature and have offered a complete refund and to pay for return shipping.

This is after they initially rejected being responsible for return shipping costs. After they indicated that they would not pay for return shipping, I cited the EU directive on Unfair Commercial Practices and gave them an alternative to either a full refund after a return including return shipping or to keep it with a partial refund.

I'm glad that they've now done the right thing, but not without needing a bit of wrangling.

[galaxy01]

Glad you got it sorted

[J0NNY]

Does anyone know whether it's compulsory for an EU company to remove VAT for purchases where the customer is outside of the EU or can they just keep the extra for their own pockets? I ask this as most of the time I get the discount but every now and then a gallery refuses to take it off, which has never really affected my decision to purchase or not, but I would be interested to know eithier way.

[haring85]

Apr 15, 2018 8:08:18 GMT 1 J0NNY said:

Does anyone know whether it's compulsory for an EU company to remove VAT for purchases where the customer is outside of the EU or can they just keep the extra for their own pockets? I ask this as most of the time I get the discount but every now and then a gallery refuses to take it off, which has never really affected my decision to purchase or not, but I would be interested to know eithier way.

From what I know if the shipping and billing addresses are outside the EU they don't need to charge VAT, because you are supposedly charged import taxes when imported to your country. Since VAT is around 20% in some countries it is a huge lot of money if you are buying a pricey artwork.

[ca]

Apr 15, 2018 8:08:18 GMT 1 J0NNY said:

Does anyone know whether it's compulsory for an EU company to remove VAT for purchases where the customer is outside of the EU or can they just keep the extra for their own pockets? I ask this as most of the time I get the discount but every now and then a gallery refuses to take it off, which has never really affected my decision to purchase or not, but I would be interested to know eithier way.

they shouldnt be charging VAT to outside EU customers. When dealing with crappy websites that don't remove it automatically (i.e V1 Gallery), I contact the gallery and they usually oblige to refund the VAT since it would actually be illegal not to do so