[Graffiti Prints]

Hi

i want to buy a banksy basquiat print 

i have seen one I like and I am in touch with the seller

is there a thread on here with advice buying a banksy 

like how to pay, do you check the print and seller with pest before you buy etc etc 

any info or help is very welcome 

many thanks 

giancarlo 

[met]

Sept 22, 2023 15:39:28 GMT 1 Graffiti Prints said:

Hi

i want to buy a banksy basquiat print 

i have seen one I like and I am in touch with the seller

is there a thread on here with advice buying a banksy 

like how to pay, do you check the print and seller with pest before you buy etc etc 

any info or help is very welcome 

many thanks 

giancarlo 

A somewhat disconcerting if not surreal post.



It is you who is the supposed art-world professional here.

You are the one who:

(i)  deals in prints for a living, on a daily basis;

(ii)  was an early customer of Pictures On Walls and a Banksy collector; and

(iii)  has been a member of this message board since 2006.



So when somebody in your position asks strangers on the internet for advice about buying a Banksy print, it might easily suggest:

(a)  they're showing signs of MCI;

(b)  their forum account has been hacked; or

(c)  they're attempting to be humorous.


__________


But in case your post is actually genuine, then my advice would be as follows:


1.  Get a feel for the seller, for their openness, integrity and trustworthiness, including how forthcoming and reasonably prompt they are at answering your questions — whether about the print's history, any previous restoration or repair work carried out on the print (including professional flattening), or the seller's own identity and professional/private contact details.


2.  Ensure the print comes with a Pest Control Office certificate of authenticity.


3.  Verify the COA, print edition number, and seller details with Pest Control Office beforehand.


4.  Consider getting references from the seller for their previous sale transactions, and checking those references.


5.  Carefully examine the print in person for any undisclosed condition issues — preferably in a well-lit room with natural sunlight, and ensuring the print is also checked in raking light.


6.  Arrange an in-person payment-for-print exchange at a venue you are comfortable with, such as your own business premises or even at a bank — and, if you prefer for security reasons, in the company of one of your family members, friends or colleagues.


7.  Choose a payment method that is acceptable to both you and the seller (a bank transfer would typically be the norm for such a large transaction).


8.  In addition to the print itself and its corresponding COA, consider asking the seller to provide a signed provenance letter addressed to you — identifying the print by its name and edition number, and setting out its full ownership history and, if applicable, its full exhibition and restoration history.

[minibear]

surreal indeed.

[Jules Leotard]

I'm going to agree here. This post doesn't make sense.

[LJCal]

Yeah a little strange. Basically what Met said however verifying with Pest Control can take months and most sellers would be unwilling to wait for a response. With GDP items most savy vendors should have proof of payment and invoices from GDP plus the packaging and tags, I’d ask for this, they should be able to provide some or all of these items, Generally for me it’s really about who I am buying from, I want to get a feel they have a track record, have transacted with people I know, have a basic knowledge of the market and the artist as a minimum, I find a telephone conversation is a good way to tell if someone is credible, from there take references and follow the other common sense practises for buying a high value item.

[Graffiti Prints]

All true met of course

But you guys have way way more experience of buying expensive banksy prints and how to minimise the risk
Last time I bought a banksy it was £600 on eBay

Genuinely thanks for that info.
Hope that explains

[Ghost train]

Sept 23, 2023 14:16:56 GMT 1 Graffiti Prints said:

All true met of course

But you guys have way way more experience of buying expensive banksy prints and how to minimise the risk
Last time I bought a banksy it was £600 on eBay

Genuinely thanks for that info.
Hope that explains

Not sure I have ever seen a Banksy print on eBay for £600 even in 2006 

[quinn]

Sept 23, 2023 20:36:26 GMT 1 Ghost train said:

Sept 23, 2023 14:16:56 GMT 1 Graffiti Prints said:

All true met of course

But you guys have way way more experience of buying expensive banksy prints and how to minimise the risk
Last time I bought a banksy it was £600 on eBay

Genuinely thanks for that info.
Hope that explains

Not sure I have ever seen a Banksy print on eBay for £600 even in 2006 

I bought a unsigned IFTL off eBay in 2009ish for £575

[hnkpnk]

Sept 23, 2023 20:36:26 GMT 1 Ghost train said:

Sept 23, 2023 14:16:56 GMT 1 Graffiti Prints said:

All true met of course

But you guys have way way more experience of buying expensive banksy prints and how to minimise the risk
Last time I bought a banksy it was £600 on eBay

Genuinely thanks for that info.
Hope that explains

Not sure I have ever seen a Banksy print on eBay for £600 even in 2006 

With a bit of luck you could get an original for under £600 in 2006 (not mine):

[sean1397]

Credit card or bank check in person. Those are the only two ways