Thread: Anyone delt with ABI art brokers?

I was looking to pick up a few pieces and ran across ABI art located in Torrance CA. Just curious if anyone has dealt with them and what there experiences were?
They have the pieces I want and at decent prices and even have an 18% increase in value guarantee inside of 18 months? It just seamed odd that they look to have every piece Warhol ever made in any color combo you want and a lot of originals. After speaking with the guy I get the hard sell well there are a few people looking at it "what will it take to get you in this painting tonight" kinda vibe. Every piece seams to have just come in from a huge estate?

Guess it sounds to good to be true. I hope someone has some good experiences with them! No BBB reports either.

Thanks.

Hello,
Just ran into this. I am from ABI and we are an international fine art dealer for both buying and selling on the primary and secondary market representing private collectors, estates, banks, institutions and corporations. We do have a nice collection of available work that does change regularly based on the activity and now globalization of the fine art market. It is impossible to have every piece and we are always looking. If your perception was a hard sell, we do apologize and that is not our presentation. On important artist/works and especially when we have a broadcast/offering to our existing patrons we do have a number of people looking at those works. Our guarantee varies based on the importance of the artwork, we do not guarantee every piece and they are set for at the end of 18 months, without going into detail it does make sense and fit into our business model.

I hope this helps clarify some of the questions.

Have a great one.

I sold artwork to them almost four months ago and have not received payment. I have gotten every excuse under the sun with the exception of "the dog ate your artwork". I am in the process of filing criminal charges against them....

I too have sold art through ABI and have not been paid after 5 months. Even though the agreement states that payment will be remitted 25 business days after the art has been approved. It has now been 5 months after receipt of my art and 60 days after the approval, and I still have not received any payment, just excuses.

Wow, will this thread have a million views like the garage threads. Lol.

Oh google......

How on earth can they offer 18% increase in value over 18months? The art market is like any other investment market. You can't guarantee anything.

Jesus, good luck getting your money guys.


This thread already appears second in google for an "ABI Art" search

Yea with the Google link coming up it will most likely end in a bad way it seams LOL. Luckily I got that something smells fishy feeling about it. I deal with enough people to feel out a possible "Boiler Room" situation and steer clear. In the end I went with a gallery I knew and picked out what I wanted and left with it. Hard to go wrong that way.

We sold artwork to ABI and also have not been paid for months. They always make some kind of excuse to delay paying us. We are looking into our options to pursue them now.

I can only add to several comments above. I too sold art to ABI back in August 2009. After months of pestering them, I finally received one check for about 10% of what they owe me. Now they have quit answering emails and all phone calls go directly to an answering service. A bad situation with ABI ART seems to be getting only worse. I have contacted an attorney to review furhter action. If you are wise you should stay as far away from this company as possible and advise everyone you know not to have any dealings with them.

i was about to but after seeing this ill take my chances on craigslist