A new pricing and service solution from global art logistics company Crown Fine Art is enabling world-renowned auction house Christie’s to provide clients with the ‘delivered’ cost of an item before they bid for it.
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Fred Weijgertse, Managing Director at Crown Fine Art (left)
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The innovative system, which accurately estimates shipping costs, allows lots to be accurately priced pre-sale and then efficiently and securely transported post-sale.
Moreover, if successful with a bid, buyers can subsequently pay online for the complete package, including the shipping charges.
A new contract signed between Crown Fine Art and Christie’s in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region means the service, which is designed to speed up the payment and purchase process, is already available in London, Amsterdam and Paris. It is supported by Crown Fine Art’s global network of offices and its investment in state-of-the-art storage facilities.
Rosalind Patient, Logistics and Fulfilment Director at Christie’s, EMERI, says: “Delivering exceptional service to our clients is of paramount importance and Crown Fine Art is helping us to achieve this with an innovative approach.
“It is a forward-thinking company which shares our passion and values – and its network of offices right across EMEA also enables us to benefit from a consistent service, wherever we ship to and from across the world.”
Crown Fine Art, which provides services to galleries, auction houses, collectors and museums, believes it is the only fine art transporter to offer this unique service, which is not available at any of the world’s other leading auction houses. The business maintains that this development will help it to better serve its customers, invest in new locations, innovations and support its leadership in the world of fine art logistics.
Fred Weijgertse, Managing Director at Crown Fine Art globally, comments: “It is an exciting but fast-moving time in the global art market and Crown Fine Art is always looking for innovative ideas and solutions to benefit our clients.
“This deal with Christie’s fits perfectly with that agenda and reflects our strategy as a global company – one which offers clients the reassurance of a safe and consistent service right across the world.”
Crown Fine Art, part of the Crown Worldwide group, not only specialises in the transportation of art and artefacts but also offers dedicated and high-tech storage facilities in some of the industry’s key destinations, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Moscow and Dubai.
For further information: www.crownfineart.com
Crown Worldwide Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, was established in 1965 and now has offices in more than 265 locations around the world.
Its Crown Fine Art division is a global expert in the safe transportation of art and artefacts, providing art transportation, installation and de-installation services to galleries, auction houses, collectors and museums.
Other divisions within the group include Crown Records Management, Crown Relocations, Crown World Mobility, Crown Logistics and Crown Wine Cellars.
