Conversations

Conversations do not start in a vacuum. Every thread is attached to a specific piece — an offer from the market or an exhibit from the showcase — so from the first message both sides know what is being discussed.

Where a thread begins

• From a market offer Questions before buying: state of preservation, completeness of packaging, certificate, the manner and cost of handover.
• From a showcase exhibit The piece need not be for sale. You may ask about the year, the provenance of the item, or whether the owner would consider parting with it.

How it works

• The thread stays with the piece. Returning to a conversation weeks later, you still see which item it concerned — no reconstructing the context from memory.
• History is not lost. Every message in a thread remains available, including after the transaction has closed.
• Replies reach your notifications. There is no need to refresh the page — a new message shows up in your notification list.
• Your details stay as private as you set them. A conversation does not automatically reveal information about you or your location — those settings remain in your hands.

Worth asking about

• The actual condition — scratches, toning and traces of storage that only show up close.
• Completeness — the original case, certificate and number can markedly change the value of a piece.
• The manner of handover — collection in person or shipping, and who carries its cost and risk.