In short If I could give 0 stars I would.
CUSTOMER BEWARE! DO NOT SELL OR BUY YOUR ART HERE.
This business, if you can even call it that, is a complete sham. This business is a shining example of classless ineptitude meets downtown gentrified cash grab. You may be led astray by the classy exterior, or the deceptively quaint Art Deco interior; but let me assure you reader, Freeman's is pitiful excuse for a business. Allow me to explain why.
- The Environment:
Imagine this, reader. Imagine having a appointment for a appraisal and driving to their storefront, which is located within the heart of crime ridden North Philadelphia. It is a CHALLENGE just to find safe parking within the area ("safe" as in not coming back to your car to see it broken into and vandalized. Watch out!). Fortunately there is some parking provided to perspective customers- such as you and I. However to my horror, during my most recent visit (yes, I have conducted business with these clowns multiple times) I left to witness my vehicle being towed by the towing company contracted by Freeman's. By the time I had the realization that the tow truck was taking my vehicle the truck was already on the road to it's intended destination. I swiftly returned the art piece I had recently purchased for a full refund and sped to retrieve my vehicle from the South Philadelphia George Smith impound lot. The total cost? About the same cost for the art piece I had previously returned for a refund. I called the store owner to ask for some sort of compensation, I, however was only met with disrespect and attitude from the store owner. It was later admitted that my vehicle was towed by mistake.
- The Cleanliness:
In almost all of my visits to this business I have been taking aback by the uncomfortable subtle odor of waste that looms in the air. I can certainly tell that the staff notices the smell because some cheap effort has been put forth to cover the constant smell of garbage with what seems to be dollar store Hawaiian Breeze air freshener (the can is easily seen on display on the welcome desk as if it was a art piece itself). While I assume most of the staff is oblivious of the smell; at least one of the staff members saw it fit to freshen the air. However it is clear to me that simply opening a window would make a more dramatic effect on the air quality within the building. I am truly unsure if the musk is emanating from the store or the employees themselves. Or both.
- The Staff:
The staff consists of terribly uneducated, dispassionate new hires. As other reviewers have mentioned; these people are "Incompetent children running the auction and appraisals." This includes some of the more senior staff as well. The owner of the store is also especially not free of critique as well. The owner- a decrepit old child who you could easily mistake for an overgrown imp is easily excitable and extremely defensive. Don't take his hunched over fake smiles for positivity. When push comes to shove, his true colors will show. A close friend of mine who lives within the attached apartment complex has even witnessed him aggressively yelling at the front desk concierge - who was simply a nice young lady doing her job.
- The Transactions:
While at first when I started buying and selling art with this business at the recommendation of a colleague. I quickly noticed an increasing pattern in my transactions with this business. While buying art from this establishment would generally fetch me a good deal, I soon noticed upon selling curated pieces of my collection with this business became a headache. I would get short changed left and right, and often times I would have to butt heads with the owner on simple details of the pieces I have sold to Freeman's. Simply put, doing business with these people was just not profitable.
In conclusion It's clear to see that this business is on its last legs and out the door. Do yourself a favor and just let it crumble. The area would be better off without a bunch of slick pretenders scheming to make a quick buck off of those with good business minded intentions. Prior to Freeman's entering the space that they now inhabit- it was a local hospital. I believe the hospital served the local community better than these downtown swindlers. read more
