artcurial.com Reviews 

Title: Artcurial acknowledged selling a misdescribed collectible, accepted its return, and still has not refunded €1,324

I purchased a limited-edition Montblanc Luciano Pavarotti fountain pen from Artcurial in May 2026 for €1,324, including buyer’s premium.

When the pen arrived in July, I discovered that the numbered components did not match. The box and presentation case were numbered 2491, the pen itself was numbered 4120, and the certificate appeared to carry yet another number. For a limited-edition collectible, these discrepancies materially affect its value.

To Artcurial’s credit, its auctioneer acknowledged the error on July 23, apologized, and offered to cancel the sale and refund my purchase.

I returned the pen at my expense. Artcurial received it on August 26. On September 7, the auctioneer confirmed in writing that the pen had arrived and that she would process the refund. I supplied my identification and euro bank account details that same day.

As of October 30, I have received no refund.

I have sent repeated follow-up emails, including September 25, October 7, and October 21, made several telephone calls, and escalated the matter to senior management on October 26. I have received no substantive explanation for the delay or confirmation of when payment will be made.

More than two months after Artcurial received the returned merchandise, the company still holds both the pen and my €1,324.

I collect fine writing instruments and understand that mistakes can occur in auction cataloguing. Artcurial’s initial acknowledgment was professional. Its subsequent failure to complete an agreed refund, communicate a payment date, or respond to repeated inquiries has been deeply disappointing.

I am publishing this account so prospective buyers understand my experience with Artcurial’s post-sale customer service.

I will update this review if and when the refund is received.

Expect, that if Artcurial sells something for you, to wait several months to be paid. Expect to have to send many emails, asking for payment- but- do not expect Artcurial to reply.
Artcurial are a black hole of auctions;- objects go into them, and nothing comes out - certainly not timely payment.
Artcurial are NOT recommended

The absolute worst client service experience I have ever encountered at this price point - and one of the worst at any price point.

Emails go unanswered for weeks; attempts to call result in you being connected to another customer who is on hold; requests for quotes take 10 days to process; attempts to track payments are unanswered and ignored.

Whether through sheer incompetence or just not caring - not even a tiny bit - this is horrific.

If you are considering consigning here, I would strongly reconsider. I can verify my transaction.

zero client service. Very French for that matter. Even if the woman who answered the phone had an accent in French. Totally unhelfpul. To get your purchase, you can go in the suburb during short business hours excluding lunch break but not on the weekend. They cant get your products to their house at rond point des champs elysees. They're brainless condescending useless people. Next time I want to buy from an auction, if arcurial is the auction house
I will think twice. Worst experience with an auction house ever.

Convelio, acting as the shipper for its client, the auction house Artcurial (who strongly recommended Convelio), damaged a Chinese antiquity I purchased during shipment from Paris to New York. Both Convelio and Artcurial refused to arrange a third-party appraisal of the damage and did not provide references for the suggested restorer, falling short of best practices and the professionalism expected when damage occurs. The proper course of action should have been: artwork damaged in shipment, followed by full reimbursement after assessing repair costs and any loss in value, if together they exceed the purchase price. **BE WARNED** If your artwork is damaged, neither Convelio nor Artcurial will reasonably resolve the issue to the client's satisfaction.

When you bid on an Artcurial sale, be aware that the sales commission here is much higher than with other houses of the same rénommé (in general 30% vat included).
Once you acquired these goods, you wish to have them wrapped (an additional charge applies, apparently) and you need to ship them, and request a shipping appointment. Artcurial sales staff send you through 2-3-4 different hands to finally land at the shipping department. It seems a loooong way, and much time is wasted, and on the way one or the other Artcurial staff member may say that (quote) "they have no time to wrap your goods because they have another auction going on" - donot despair because the girls and guys at shipping are really nice, hands on and reactive! My kudos to them!