Shopping for art online can be an exciting or a frustrating journey. Whether you're seeking a statement piece for your home or a unique gift, the options seem endless. But how can you be sure you're buying from a shop that truly values quality, prioritizes ethical practices, and treats its customers fairly—especially when almost every shop claims to do so these days? As someone with firsthand experience in the industry, I’m here to share the insider knowledge you need to spot the common dirty tricks some shops use and make confident, informed choices.
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Red Flags to Watch For When Shopping for Art Online
Perpetual Discounts
If a shop is always “on sale,” it might be too good to be true. While everyone loves a good deal, perpetual discounts can often indicate artificial price inflation. This tactic makes the "discounted" price seem like a steal when, in reality, it’s simply the standard price disguised as a bargain.
Some shops take this even a step further by including 24-hour countdown timers on their sales, which reset at midnight every day. This creates a false sense of urgency, pressuring customers to “buy now” for fear of missing out. It’s worth noting that this practice is not just misleading—it’s outright illegal in many regions to have a product perpetually on sale without it ever being sold at the full price.
I’ve seen shops that have been running the same “limited-time” sale for two years straight, and it’s frustrating as an artist who works hard to price work fairly. To ensure you're getting a real deal, compare prices across similar shops and focus on the value offered—like the quality of materials and craftsmanship—instead of the supposed discount.
Fake Discounts
While sales are a great opportunity for customers to snag a deal, not all discounts are as genuine as they seem. Some shops engage in the unethical—and highly illegal—practice of raising their prices just before running a sale, only to discount them back to the original price. This creates the illusion of a bargain when, in reality, customers are paying the exact same amount they would have before the “sale.”
This tactic not only deceives customers but also undermines trust in online shopping as a whole. In many regions, consumer protection laws explicitly prohibit this practice, requiring that items must be sold at their higher price for a specified period before being legitimately discounted.
To spot this, keep an eye on the pricing history of the shop. If possible, use tools or browser extensions to track price changes over time, or compare prices across multiple shops. True sales should feel transparent and genuinely rewarding—not rushed or contrived.
Unclear Descriptions
Have you ever read a product description that uses terms like "premium quality" but doesn’t explain what that actually means? This vagueness can be a red flag, as it often hides a lack of true quality behind buzzwords. Ethical shops will specify the details that matter—like the type of paper, the printing process, or the lab they use. For example, professional-grade photo paper or archival-quality ink make a significant difference in the vibrancy and longevity of an art piece.
Unfortunately, many shops label their prints as “premium quality” when, in reality, they’re printed on plain, ordinary poster paper by large print-on-demand (POD) companies. These mass-produced prints might be fine for casual decor, but they’re far from the lasting, high-quality pieces you’d expect from independent artists or ethical sellers. If a shop isn’t clear about its materials, it’s worth reaching out for clarification—or steering clear altogether.
If you’re curious to learn more about different types of papers, check out my article where I break down the key differences between poster paper, photo paper, and fine art paper. It’s a must-read for anyone wanting to make an informed decision when shopping for art online.
Stolen Images
Have you ever noticed that when shopping for photography wall art, many prints start to look oddly similar, even though they’re sold by different shops? Unfortunately, this isn’t a coincidence. Many shops cut corners by simply downloading images for free from various online platforms, slapping on a filter—or sometimes not even bothering to do that—and selling them as their own work. This practice not only devalues the art but also robs customers of the opportunity to own something truly unique and meaningful.
Originality matters, both for the artist and the buyer. Purchasing stolen or unoriginal images undermines the efforts of genuine creators and supports unethical practices. To ensure you're supporting originality, look for clear information about the artist or photographer behind the work. Shops that showcase their creative process or share the stories behind their images are often the ones truly committed to offering something special.
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Don't Assume Marketplaces Ensure Fair Play
Many shoppers assume that purchasing art from well-known marketplaces offers a guarantee of safety and fairness. After all, these platforms are widely trusted and are home to thousands if not millions of sellers. However, it's important to remember that being hosted on a large marketplace doesn't automatically mean that a shop follows ethical practices or complies with the law.
While marketplaces often provide basic guidelines and tools for their sellers, they don't necessarily police every shop or monitor their pricing practices, product descriptions, or marketing tactics. Many of these platforms are more focused on facilitating transactions than ensuring sellers adhere to ethical or even legal standards. This means that, while you may be shopping on a familiar platform, there's still a risk that some shops are using manipulative tactics or even breaking the law.
Not even a large number of sales or glowing reviews are a guarantee that a shop is trustworthy or operates within the boundaries of law. Many of the shops I know that engage in shady practices have high sales numbers and positive reviews, often from customers who were misled by deceptive advertising or manipulated sales tactics. Sometimes, customers simply don't realize they're being played and leave positive feedback based on false perceptions of a great deal or product.
Don't Let Unethical Shops Play You for a Fool
As you can see, not all shops in the online art world play fair. Some engage in dirty or outright illegal practices—undermining the competition to the detriment of the entire industry and taking advantage of you, the customer, and assuming you won’t notice or care.
Don’t let these dirty players play you for a fool. You deserve better than manipulative discounts, vague descriptions, or stolen images masquerading as original art. Shopping ethically doesn’t have to be complicated. By supporting shops that prioritize ethical practices, originality, and transparency, you’re not just investing in a product—you’re standing up for fair practices in e-commerce and creators who genuinely care about their craft and their customers. Together, we can call out these unfair tactics and foster a marketplace built on trust and integrity.
Summary
The world of online art shopping is full of possibilities, but it’s also riddled with traps set by shops that play dirty. From fake discounts to unclear descriptions and even stolen images, these unethical practices harm not only honest artists and creators but also unsuspecting customers.
By staying informed and vigilant, you can avoid these pitfalls. Look for shops that value transparency, originality, and ethical business practices. Support creators who care deeply about their craft and go the extra mile to provide quality and authenticity. Most importantly, don’t let manipulative tactics make a fool of you—because as a customer, you hold the power to shape a better, fairer marketplace for everyone.
