Nine Questions You Should Ask Before Purchasing A Hand Painted Oil Painting Reproduction

1. What kinds of materials are used to paint this work?
Make sure that the reproduction is done as oil on canvas, and that the quality of the materials is high. Many less reputable dealers will use inferior quality canvases, paint that may deteriorate quickly, or not react well to the stretching and framing process.

2. Where is the company located?
Buying your reproductions straight from Asia can be the cheapest way to go but it also can have some serious drawbacks. Quality can vary greatly among reproductions, and you pay for what you get - by going with one of the “cheaper” services, you may receive an inaccurate or inferior reproduction. There also may be hidden fees. For example, shipping and handling alone costs could cost as much as $40.

3. Can you make sure the painting is to your liking before it is completed and sent to you?
Some art sellers have premade works that are ready to ship at a moments notice. Others may start the artwork only once the request has been received. For the latter group of websites, make sure they can email pictures of the painting before it is completed and that you are able to provide input and feedback. This type of service will ensure that the painting is as accurate as possible and that you will be happy with the finished product once it is received.

4. Does the website display examples of previous work?
Before agreeing to purchase a particular oil painting reproduction, you should ask to see prior pieces of artwork sold by the company. By viewing these samples, you will be able to make a more informed decision if this company is going to provide you a work that you will be happy with and competent service along the way.

5. Is there a money back guarantee?
Make sure to verify any guarantee offers, such as money back guarantee or satisfaction guarantees. Read their policies carefully because some dealers only allow a store credit.

6. Do they have a toll-free number and address posted on the site to call or contact in case you have any questions?
It is often hard to reach a person through the customer service system of an internet sites – having this access is an extra layer of protection for you. If necessary you can discuss your painting revisions with someone personally on the phone, and they can provide you with other important services with an eye trained to your work.

7. I see what they offer on the site, but there is a work I want that is not listed. Can they paint it?
Just because the site may not offer your specific painting online, does not mean they cannot produce it or if they do, it will be of lower quality. Due to space and time requirements, sites only list their most popular works and invite people to post their requirements individually.

8. Will the painting be proportional to the original?
Make sure you are purchasing a painting that is somewhat proportional to the original. (You don’t want your painting to look stretched and completely distorted from the original. Some smaller paintings scale larger quite nicely, so this should not be a factor in your decision, but as long as it stays proportional, you should be fine.

9. What is the company’s reputation?
One way to determine a company's reputation is by looking at the banners the website displays. For example, do they have security protection on the site such as HackerFree or another similar service? These organizations have strict compliance guidelines and will ensure the site is safe to purchase through. Also doing a Google search for the companies name could yield results about unhappy or happy customers.