A lot of artists sell their work through the internet. However , the internet is infested with scammers. You have to navigate sales with caution.
Have you ever been a victim or a near victim of an art scam buyer? If you have a website, you probably have.
About 3 weeks ago, in early June, 2025, I received an email requesting prices on 2 of my paintings .The story was from a woman in San Diego, Ca., who said she had just purchased a house and wanted to decorate her walls with 2 of my paintings. She asked for prices. She was also interested in what motivated or inspired me to paint the canvases. I sent her all the information.
I take all buyer’s inquiries at face value; however, I read them, critically, looking for flags that the buyer is legit. The first red flag I noticed was the address. Thanks to Google maps, I found out that the address she gave me was an address for a large apartment complex, not a house; and, initially, she didn’t provide an apartment number .
After I got the UPS price for insurance, packing and shipping , she asked that I buy her a $500.00 gift card at Walmart, CVS, or other retail store . She asked me to add $30.00 for my trouble to the total cost which included the 2 paintings, one gift card and a $30.00 tip. She was going to pay with PayPal.
What a deal!
I had to pass on the sale because I couldn’t afford to purchase the gift card! Lol. ;)
Beware of offers that include gift cards to the seller in the transaction.
Ria
Woman at the Well
