Is this a prominent glassblower that we should be watching out for?
Shame about the dud man!
nah, beginner I think. Hopefully a learning experience for both of us. I really believe there was no intent on scamming or pulling a fast one. Maybe expecting too much or still learning the big picture
Not going to change my life either way so mot pushing too far. A paypal dispute will have more damage than just this situation so that's a bad choice. I figure just ship it back to him and allow him to decide what to do from there. That at least gives him another avenue to recoup some cash. My karma says since I see no intent just live with it. shit happens. Part of the situation was my judgment and decision too.
I did learn something which will change my methodology. Pictures, even a video isn't really enough to tell true quality. Some trust is put into the artist(s). The very reason more known and successful artists receive higher values, higher trust = more demand, less supply. A Mothership may cost you and is just scientific, but if there is one thing you find incorrect with it, well first you will not, but if you did they will make it right. I trust that. That line has been moved much closer to my cornerstone artists now based on this situation. What I mean by that is I need to have a much higher level of trust not to have complete data/information in front of me - like I have the piece in my hands and can physically try it. So in the end internet buys are the most effected. Purchases from local sources where I can hold the piece or a custom from a noted artist with a measureable tract record are the least effected. What this really harms the most is new upcoming artists who do not have much history. For me their market just got significantly reduced to local. That is significant to their ability to fund themselves and grow.
The old story, a few effect the many. That said this market, the functional glass market, is going through a boom right now and its still growing. Its much better than just a few years ago on both sides
Innovation is strong as is volume and interest. However, craftsmanship is important and there needs to be some merit or standard to determine upcomer's other than the general art contest in a show i.e. DFO to build a reparation. That limits growth, but maybe that's required for the integrity of the medium. I can only guess like each of us. Time will tell. I do know my methodology is changing so my locals have a major advantage now. Solution... traveling shoes!