What We Do:

• Provide secure communication infrastructure
• Standardize proposal processes
• Offer transparency through timestamped records
• Facilitate with contract templates

What We Don't Do:

• We don't charge commissions
• We don't set prices
• We don't intervene in payment processes
• We don't assume legal liability

Process Flow: Step by Step from Start to Finish

1. Listing: Artist's Transparent Presentation

When listing an artwork on the platform, artists share all critical information completely:

Required Information:

• Price Structure: Fixed price, open to offers, negotiation margin
• Technical Details: Dimensions, materials, technique, year of production
• Uniqueness/Edition: Original or edition number (e.g., 5/25)
• Condition: Objective descriptions like "Excellent," "Good," "Restored"
• Shipping Policy: Who's responsible, insurance preference, estimated timeframe
• Return Policy: Are returns accepted? Under what conditions?
• Certificate/Provenance: Certificate of authenticity, exhibition history, previous ownership

Best Practices (For Artists):

• Professional photographs: Multiple angles, natural lighting, detail shots
• Scale reference: Make artwork dimensions clear
• Artist's Note: Story behind the work, inspiration (2-3 sentences sufficient)
• Clear shipping estimates: Which regions, estimated cost range

2. Proposal: Collector's Binding Intent

Collecist offers six different proposal methods. Each addresses different needs:

A) Fixed Price (Buy Now)

The simplest and fastest method.

• Collector accepts the listed price
• Artist performs stock check (within 24 hours)
• Payment and delivery details shared after confirmation

Use Case: Collectors who want to make quick decisions, popular artworks

B) Make an Offer

Flexibility and negotiation opportunity.

• Collector proposes their own price (can be below/above list price)
• Artist has 3 options:
• ✅ Accept: Offer approved, transaction begins
• ❌ Decline: Offer rejected, justification optional
• 🔄 Counter-Offer: Different price proposed

Validity Period: Artist sets 24-72 hour timeframe; offer automatically expires

Use Case: Large investments, multiple artwork purchases, price-sensitive collectors

C) Reserve / Option (On-Hold)

Time to make a decision.

• Collector pays small reservation fee (5-15%)
• Artwork not offered to others for specified period (7-30 days)
• At period end:
• If purchased: Reservation fee deducted from price
• If declined: Refund/credit per artist's terms

Use Case: Interior design consultation, space compatibility check, budget approval pending

D) Payment Plan

Accessibility for high-value artworks.

• Artist determines installment count (e.g., 3-12 months)
• Interest clearly stated if applicable
• Important: Artwork usually delivered after full payment

Use Case: Large investments, corporate collections, liquidity management

E) Sealed Offer

Privacy in competitive situations.

• Collector's offer visible only to artist
• After specified period (e.g., 7 days), artist selects most suitable offer
• Other offers remain invisible

Use Case: Highly demanded artworks, special selections, VIP collectors

F) Corporate / Project Purchase

Bulk and custom projects.

• Package offer for multiple artworks
• Delivery schedule and installation plan arranged separately
• More detailed contract prepared

Use Case: Hotel projects, office decoration, museum acquisitions

3. Acceptance and Counter-Offer Dynamics

Artist's 3 Rights:

1. Accept: "I accept the offer, let's proceed"
2. Decline: "I cannot work at this price" (stating reason recommended)
3. Counter-Offer: "I propose this price instead"

Collector's Rights:

• Can accept/decline counter-offer
• Can submit second counter-offer (maximum 3 rounds recommended)
• Can withdraw at any stage

Platform Support:

• All offers recorded with date-time stamps
• Messaging history securely stored
• Can be used as evidence in disputes

4. Contract and Payment: Party-to-Party Confirmation

After parties agree, written confirmation is mandatory. Collecist provides standard template but legal liability belongs to parties.

Standard Contract Clauses:

A) Artwork Description and Condition

• Original, print, or edition number
• Signature status (front, back, on certificate)
• Provenance: Exhibition history, publications, previous ownership
• Current condition: Any restoration, damage, defects

B) Price, Tax, and Additional Costs

• Net artwork price
• VAT status (depending on artist's situation)
• Shipping cost (who pays)
• Customs/duties (for international shipments)
• Framing/packaging additional fee (if any)

C) Payment Method Artist specifies their preferred method:

• Bank transfer / EFT
• International transfer (SWIFT, PayPal)
• Cryptocurrency (some artists accept)
• Escrow service (recommended for high-value transactions)

Collecist Note: We don't get involved in payment process. We recommend third-party escrow service for security.

D) Delivery and Insurance

• Packaging Responsibility: Usually artist's, professional packaging required
• Shipping Company: By mutual agreement, preferably insured
• Risk Transfer: At what point does responsibility transfer (e.g., at delivery)
• Insurance: Who arranges, value assessment, damage procedure

Recommended Practice: Mandatory insurance for high-value artworks (>$1000)

E) Return and Cancellation Policy

• Return window: 7-14 days standard (variable)
• Return reasons: "Dislike" generally not accepted
• Accepted reasons: Different from description, damaged delivery, fake
• Return costs: Who covers
• Exception: Usually no returns for custom commissions

F) Certificate of Authenticity

• Artist-signed document
• Artwork details (dimensions, technique, date)
• Edition information (if applicable)
• Artist contact information
• Digital or physical format

G) Dispute Resolution

• Priority: Written communication between parties
• Second step: Mediator support (Collecist can facilitate)
• Last resort: Competent court (jurisdiction determined in contract)

H) Data and Privacy

• Parties process personal data only for sale purposes
• Sharing with third parties prohibited
• KVKK and GDPR compliance belongs to parties

5. Delivery and Completion

Artist's Responsibilities:

• Package artwork without damage
• Ship within agreed timeframe
• Share tracking number and shipping information
• Include certificate of authenticity

Collector's Responsibilities:

• Be available for delivery
• Damage inspection (immediately, in presence of courier)
• Confirmation notice ("Artwork arrived safely")

Completion Process:

1. Artwork delivered
2. Collector inspects within 48 hours
3. If no issues, gives "Completed" confirmation
4. Artist issues invoice (if applicable)
5. Platform record updated

In Case of Problems:

• Photo documentation
• File report with shipping company
• Immediate notification to artist
• Initiate insurance process

Visibility and Curation: Differentiating Features

On Collecist, artworks don't just get listed—they reach the right audience:

Organic Ranking Factors:

• View count
• "Save" and "Like" interactions
• Click-through rate (CTR)
• Offer frequency
• Profile completeness (complete information)

Editorial Spaces:

• "Open Studio": Artist stories, process videos, interviews
• "Art Notes": Artwork analyses, curator writings, trend reports
• Selection criteria: Originality, quality, storytelling
• Final decision belongs to Collecist curation team

Search and Filtering:

• Category (painting, sculpture, photography, digital)
• Price range
• Dimensions
• Color palette
• Style (abstract, figurative, conceptual)
• Artist location

Paid Promotion Packages: Extra Support for Visibility

Important: These services are optional, we never charge commission on sales.

Package Options:

1) Featured Package

• Showcase on homepage for 7-30 days
• "Editor's Pick" badge
• Top placement on category pages
• Feature in newsletter

2) Banner / Spotlight

• Mobile and web main banner space
• 3-7 day display
• High traffic guarantee

3) Curator Consultation

• Artwork photography recommendations
• Description text writing support
• Pricing analysis
• Target audience identification

4) Social Media and PR

• Instagram/Twitter sharing
• Influencer collaborations
• Blog posts and interviews
• Press release distribution

5) Viewing Room (3D Virtual Gallery)

• Artist-specific virtual room
• 3D explorable experience
• VR compatible (devices like Quest 3S)
• Multiple artwork presentation

Pricing: Details on "Services" page. Packages can be customized to artist's needs.

Disclaimer: Important Reminders

Situations Where Collecist Is Not Responsible:

• ❌ Artwork defects (different from description, damaged)
• ❌ Delivery delays
• ❌ Shipping damages
• ❌ Customs issues
• ❌ Payment disputes / refunds
• ❌ Intellectual property violations (copied artwork)
• ❌ Return disputes

Limited Liability:

• Platform interruptions
• Third-party services (payment, shipping)
• Data transmission errors
• Liability is limited by applicable law

Our Recommendations:

• Use escrow for high-value transactions
• Conduct all communication in writing
• Have contracts reviewed by legal counsel
• Get insurance
• Record video during delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why doesn't Collecist charge commission? A: Our mission is to support artists with full earnings. Our revenue model is based on optional promotion services.

Q: How is payment security ensured? A: Direct party-to-party payment. We recommend escrow service for high amounts.

Q: Why is offer period limited? A: To provide clarity for both artist and collector. New offers can be made after expiration.

Q: Is return policy standard? A: No, each artist sets their own terms. Be sure to read before purchasing.

Q: What's done against fake artwork risk? A: We provide protection through artist verification system, mandatory certificate of authenticity, and complaint mechanism.

Q: In international sales, who handles customs? A: Must be specified in contract. Usually buyer's responsibility, but parties can agree differently.

Conclusion: Transparency, Trust, and Direct Relationship

The Collecist proposal process is designed by harmonizing industry best practices with the needs of the Turkish art ecosystem. Thanks to our commission-free model, artists receive full earnings while collectors experience the advantage of direct communication without intermediaries.

For a Successful Proposal Process: ✅ Share complete information ✅ Establish clear communication ✅ Get written confirmation ✅ Sign contract ✅ Act professionally

Remember: Every successful sale lays the foundation for future collaborations. Collecist provides tools to build this foundation solidly; the construction is up to the parties.

Additional Resources:

• [Contract Templates] - Downloadable Word/PDF format
• [Shipping Guide] - Recommended companies and packaging techniques
• [Pricing Calculator] - Materials + labor + market analysis
• [Video Tutorials] - Step-by-step proposal process explanation