I will do my best to publish a new post every Monday.
Paolo Sparano Vitelli, Florence, Italy, sent me an unsolicited email earlier this month offering me a very fine Daum Nancy Dutch Winter 14″ scenic vase. I made an offer, we negotiated and then he responded “I appreciate your fair offer but I already receiving a lot of heat (the good one) regarding this piece and had already higher better offer, not enough honestly. I do not want to transform this in a online auction between parts and keeping in mind you should be able to do your profit but for less than 7500€ + PP commissions (2.4%) + shipping cost (around 90$ thru DHL professionally packed) for this pristine piece with the right presentation and really good size i will certainly keep it and probably pursue/offer for the final collector. First dealer/gallerist reaching my fair premisses (sic) will got it, it’s my commitment.” Please note my commitment.
I answered “It hurts me to pay so much, but I love it, so I will take it at €7.500 + fees.” (approximately $8,500) I went to pay immediately with PayPal when I saw that their bad exchange rate + fees would cost me another few hundred dollars, so I advised Paolo that I would pay by wire transfer immediately after the weekend. In the meantime, I wanted proof that Paolo really possessed the vase, so I asked for a photo. He also sent me a photo of his identity card and driver’s license (which I will not publish here).
We had a few more email exchanges. Here’s mine on Saturday, Jan. 22nd. “I’ll send you a wire transfer from my international account on Monday. As soon as it’s done, I’ll send you a copy. You should receive the funds before the end of the week.” He replied 3 minutes later “Just keep me updated please.”
I initiated the wire transfer on Monday morning, as promised, when I received the following email a short while later. “I’m calling this deal off. I have a long line of dealers and collectors trying to have it and i’m (sic) waiting your response / funds for too long. Maybe it’s not your priority, but this is not the correct way to do business in my humble point of view. Thanks again but DO NOT send any transfer anymore.”
Paolo couldn’t have been more transparent. It’s clear he received a higher offer. No one goes from sweet to indignant in a flash without an ulterior motive. Apparently he’s quite disreputable and dishonest. Shame on you, Paolo. To keep his honor, he should have rejected any competing offer, no matter the amount, since our deal was mutually agreed upon. Luckily I was able to stop the wire transfer because the money wasn’t going to be deducted from my bank account until the next day.
I haven’t had a bad deal like this for decades and hope not to have another one like it. Fortunately for me, most people I deal with are honest, not unscrupulous like Paolo. You can deal with him at your own peril.
On the other hand, I just did a deal with a couple of gentlemen in Canada. They shipped me a collection for my inspection before I paid for it, just on my word. The deal couldn’t have gone smoother. Thank goodness for the honorable people in this business.
Let me know what interests you, even if you don’t see it on my website. I’ve got lots of items that I haven’t listed yet and I know how to locate what you desire.
I listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.
Phil lets do this in two separate deals. As sooon as we get the first deal Started we will start the second deal. I have to think on the Big Bird I have decide if I really want to decide whether I want to take care of such a large piece of glass. we would have to buy a new Cabinent. It is Beautiful. I will comitt on the Big Bird or your Daum Box with6 to 8 cabishans, or the Penguine vase with 2 Pengines.
Phil I do not want to mis lead you in any way, I just mentioned the Big Bird, may be to large, I think it is beautiful. Any way we will get two deals done ..
I assume this guy’s a private citizen trying to unload a one-off piece that he had acquired — perhaps through inheritance — and not “in the biz.” I mean, of all the people, you’d be among the last I’d want to burn if I wanted to start or keep a name for myself in this business. Gee whiz.
Anyway, thank you for sharing this. You may have prevented someone else from losing much more than *just* their time on a deal with Paolo Sparano Vitelli.
Take care.