So not too long ago I wrote about my adventures with the Museum of Contemporary Photography and the devliery of a recently purchased Beate Gutschow photograph. For a refresher, read this and this.
Now, for the rest of the story...
So, like I said the MoCP arranged for DHL to come by my apartment to pick up the print. Sure enough, on a Thursday night at about 6pm, the DHL man came by my apartment to get the print in the original "packing." I was assured that I didn't need to do anything to the package other than seal it up. DHL would know where to take it. Well, the very next day I went to my girlfriend's office for lunch (where I had it shipped originally) and lo' and behold guess what is sitting in her office. You guessed it, the print! DHL took the print from my apartment in Ballston and delivered it to my girlfriend's office in DC the next day. Brilliant! And on top of that, the package was extremely beaten up in just 16 hours. In fact, this is what the package looked like (keep in mind this is the original packing... the big bends represent the new damage):
Not good, huh? One note, to be fair, the DHL guy surprised me with his arrival and I wasn't able to find my packing tape to seal the edges of the package. I talked to him about that and he assured me that he would seal it up. He definitely added tape, but none to the edges (as seen in the second image).
At this point I had had enough. I immediately called MoCP and demanded a new print, asap, in perfect packing. To the MoCP's credit, they responded quickly and were just as appalled by the situation as I was. After talking to some higher-ups, the Print Coordinator packaged up a new print and shipped it out to me immediately. They requested that when I had the time, to schedule DHL to come by again to pick up the damaged print (for their records and to be destroyed). But, unlike before, they did not request the damaged print before they could send the new one.
The new print arrived in a day or two and was packaged exceptionally well. The matted print was in a hard box (the type that photographic paper comes in) and was surrounded by cardboard and bubble wrap. I checked the print and it's in great condition. After a long ordeal I have artwork that I won't be ashamed to hang. I'm pleased that the MoCP rectified the situation. I offered up several suggestions on packing for the future and I feel that the ideas were taken seriously. I would not hesitate to buy another print from them, but 2 strikes and you're out.
Let this be a cautionary tale about collecting art. Packages will sometimes get damaged but if you don't believe your expectations were met for the given transaction, DO NOT HESITATE to get the situation fixed. You are the paying customer and you deserve a top-notch product.
Thanks to the MoCP for addressing the issue promptly. I'll send the old print your way soon.
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