There are complaints and negative reviews I read about the illiquid nature of these holdings as well as the high fees involved. That is absolutely correct but no secret. This is not like public company stock investing. It’s much more akin to private venture investing - a long term hold with no control of the exit timeline. You have to go in with the right mindset and perspective. If that’s part of your investment strategy, then data shows that this asset class has historically performed quite well and is less correlated to general macro economic swings than most other asset classes. So it’s a pretty solid complement to a diversified portfolio.
5 stars from me l've invested in Banksy!!! Choosing to invest in a Banksy artwork through Masterworks has been an amazing experience. I've followed Banksy's iconic work for years and respect them greatly so being able to own a stake in this creators world is a dream come true, as well as being potentially lucrative. Masterworks' have really gone above and beyond with their curation of Banksy's work and their expertise in navigating the art market instilled confidence in my investment. The masterworks team provided comprehensive insights into the artwork's historical performance and market trends, adding a whole other level to my appreciation for Banksy.
Masterworks has reall made difference to my investment approach. Fractional ownership in prestigious artworks was something I wanted to do for a longtime but I had no idea where to start but this app has made it easy. The collection,s they have and the insights offered make the app pretty seamless. It's a great way to get started in this space or further diversify a portfolio. I really appreciate their mission to democratize art ownership too. Super happy with the app in general if I’m honest, a nice easy way to pursue a passion from my phone
For those of us living paycheck to paycheck this app does not give us the option of investing at anything lower than $500 per purchase. This is not for the working class. They make it seem as if it is. However, they're catering to a different group. Don't waste your time setting it up unless you have an extra $500 do you want to gamble on something that you probably don't know much about. Also, no search feature?? it does not give you the option to search for an specific artist or a specific painting. You simply have to scroll until you see something that you might recognize. For the amount of money they're expecting you to throw into this app they don't offer a comprehensive set of features. I DO NOT recommend this app.
Using this app feels like moving back in time. I don’t find it to be a good experience. Issue 1) - I am not giving the option to purchase shares with proceeds of previously sold shares that have been deposited into my tamplum trading account. Contact their tech help. Did not get a resolution. Issue 2) - while purchasing shares, if I mistakenly check the subscription agreement radio button, it locks down the purchase not giving the option to uncheck or modify the parameters of the purchase. The incomplete purchase just stays there prompting you to completing the purchase by hitting the complete button, even if you don’t want to proceed. There is no option to cancel or modify purchase, and if there is, it’s not obvious.
Many people operate with their phones these days. I very rarely use the website on a desk top. The app is essentially useless- no secondary market, no documentation, no market prices and clunky responsiveness. No real use to it at all. The mobile website is not intuitive - it’s very difficult to find my documents (which should include PPMs and SEC docs for secondaries). The “filtering” situation is terrible on all buy/sell/secondary screens making it difficult to see the metrics like “size” of painting without going to a different site to look it up. I often have to open to tabs on my phone to reference from a different page while reviewing another. Please hire some developers to completely change all of it.
Tries to trick customers with cherry picked investment gains. Only shows a handful of paintings with double digit gains on their site, but if you look at their entire portfolio in aggregate, their return is only 9%. The site is not transparent in true returns. Their visible fees are extremely high, similar to hedge funds. But at least hedge funds manage your portfolio for you, but this platform, you have to manage your own portfolio. Also there are hidden fees. All the fees associated with acquiring, storing, maintenance, and selling the artwork, is charged to the investor. So when you do sell your shares, the fees will eat into your gains. Important thing is that art is very NOT liquid. Which means it's not as easy to sell off like stocks. Your investment may be tied up for years.
I thoroughly researched Masterworks and love what I’ve learned. Christopher Morgan is my wonderful advisor, who informs yet never pressures me. That said, investing in Art has its inherent risks! Definitely research for yourself. Definitely make sure that you don’t invest more than you are willing to lose. Definitely make sure you are able part with your cash for several years until the piece(s) sell! It all works for me and I love being involved with Masterworks and invested in such beautiful art!! 🙌🏼
As an art enthusiast, Masterworks has been a dream come true. The app is easy to use, and the selection of blue-chip artworks is outstanding. I love the ability to buy fractional shares, which has allowed me to invest in works by famous artists like Warhol and Basquiat. The app’s transparency and secondary market have also given me the flexibility and liquidity I need. Overall, I highly recommend Masterworks to anyone looking to invest in art.
I had been contemplating opening an account with Masterworks for a few months. I read reviews during this time & all of them were positive & seemed realistic. I make the plunge, sign up & download the app AND as per usual, that’s when all the negative reviews finally show up. Most of these were written since December 2023, after I had done my research. I became apprehensive & wanted to delete my account, but apparently I am not authorized to delete an account that I set up. That makes no sense to me. I’ve logged out & plan to stay that way until I can get this figured out.
I like the prospect of MasterWorks, but I am not ready to invest with them. On the surface, the returns look good until you dive deep into the numbers — high fee structure. I also feel like there should be an one year mandatory holding period then the community can vote every year thereafter to offload the paintings or not. With the current business model, having a 100K tied up in masterworks would irritate me because I want a voice in the decision to sell or not. I think this company could do great things in the market but there has to be some changes.
I am rating the investment not the app. I do not care about the app as I can log into a computer just as easily. Masterworks has been an excellent investment vehicle for me for a chunk of money that I am comfortable waiting a year or two to see a return. I do not involve myself in the trading portion. I buy and hold and that part has been A+.
Great company but very annoying that you can’t combine funding sources. So if you want to purchase $500 of a painting and have $499 in your wallet, you can’t buy it with $499 from wallet and $1 from checking. You have to find the whole thing from checking. Further, there is no easy way to add funds to your wallet from the app, and even so, funds don’t clear for days. So all the criticism is on the app design end. Needs to make to easier for users to buy!
Love this investment opportunity but the app needs help
I like to think that I got in on the ground floor with Masterworks, and I am a firm believer in the concept. My only two complaints are 1) it’s become so popular that many of the offerings sell out so quickly that I don’t have the chance to invest and 2) the daily quiz on the app is janky and I lose points because I can’t hit “continue.”
Hi aspiring investors who want to diversify portfolio, I am writing this review as a warning. This app offers literally no liquidity, so if you purchase a share in an art piece there is no way to get your money back within 5-6 years.(which is longer than the app has been around, makes u think huh) Additionally I put $1500 into the app’s marketplace, the money has been taken from my bank account. But it has been around 2 weeks and isn’t available in the app, masterworks literally swallowed my money. I hope it doesn’t do the same for you
Enjoy the performance and UI for mobile app, but login (especially w social sign on) has been broken for months and its near impossible for me to review portfolio within app. Recent changes to app have also made it difficult to review portfolio - it seems to just be another offering page now. Very confusing.
The Face ID and pin feature do not work on this application, which is a big no-no is, especially since my bank account is linked to this application as well as money! This needs to work this is a huge security flaw! I should be asked to scan my face or enter a pin, if the security option is enabled upon application open. latest iOS version and latest version installed.
Was doing a lot of reading on art and diversification, glad to see there is an app for everything lol. Had a smooth experience signing up, they have a really helpful team, and my account manager knew his stuff.
I recently downloaded the app, as I am an avid collector of art. I was asked for a time to be interviewed (!?) I wasn’t able to pick a time suitable for me due a glitch in the app. Once I did, there was also confusion about the time zones as I had received the call at the wrong time. I opted not to join after all and emailed back with my decision and never got feedback. I just realized that MasterWorks had done a search for my profile in LinkedIn. Very strange. I would not recommend.
Company just changed the way the secondary market functions after the Thanksgiving holiday. There is no transparency in the market. You create a sell order and hope someone bids the exact price and shares you have offered. Is it high, is it low, no one knows. I like what the company is trying to do here, just needs a better secondary market mechanism.
I’ve been waiting a while for this app. I’m excited too see it and i especially look forward to the secondary market when that gets added. I like the interface so far. Nice!
It is an exciting way to own pieces of your favorite artists and being introduced to new soon to be favorites. That with investments at a reasonable price that will pay dividends in the future. Masterworks makes it easy.
I was sold into masterworks by all the different finance YouTubers clamoring about diversifying into art. Little did I know, I would be locking my money into very illiquid investments with up to 10 years holding periods (this was the amount of time I was quoted before I could touch my money). Not only that, but the app constantly crashes even with the newest update and the masterworks team constantly bombards you with annoying marketing emails and “personal advisor” texts. To them, you are just another person who can fund their total assets held. Aka just a cash cow. Highly recommend you stay away and not make the same mistakes as I did. Once I have access to my capital again, I will dip out. Absolute dumpster fire.
When the app opens & I input my username/password, the app thinks for a minute, and then takes me right back to the login prompt. 🤷🏻♂️ looking forward to using this app one day!
Been using mastworks for 2-3 years. This is not a good way to invest at all. They misrepresent the value of what you are investing in. The market for these shares is so illiquid that you will have to sell for a loss if you sell any shares. The app claimed the value of my shares gained 20%! Pretty good right? Wrong! They actually lost 30% based on the market value for those shares. Anyone saying this is a good platform has probably never gone to sell any shares.
1) I cannot stay logged in. 2) I cannot always log in — enter user & password plus 2-factor then get sent back to sign in. 3) Despite a connected account, I cannot select it to transfer money into the trading account. 4) If I click to look at art messaged to me, no way to exit that page. Only close the app and then maybe log in or not be allowed to. [**this seems to be fixed now**] It would be nice to be able to log in reliably, transfer money, And to navigate the app without closing it.
Once an investment amount is plugged in and you move on to the next stage but before the subscription agreement is signed, the amount is fixed and an invoice for such amount is sent via email. This should not be the case. The user should be the ability to change the amount freely before committing and an invoice should only be sent after the sub agreement is signed.
The app has a lot of potential but the organization of information does not make much sense. Also, it glitches often when new paintings are open for investment, especially high demand ones.
Basic functionality lacking, such as a contact page/link for existing customers to contact an advisor. The app prioritizes marketing new investment opportunities over a robust user interface and customer service.
There have been multiple times in which my purchase will not complete. Various codes will come up and not allow me to proceed with my purchase. Good luck trying to get a hold of anyone with the company. I’ve emailed multiple times without even receiving a response.
Would really appreciate an iPad/tablet app, especially since art is the focus here. I mean, this isn’t Instagram. ☺️ Also, there’s no app icon, at least on the iPad. Again, seems a bit odd for an art-centric app.
The application for this app that is being used for IPad Pro looks small and does not enlist the entire screen. The icon on the IPAD Pro is generic and is not the correct icon. Thanks
This app notifies me at least 5 times a day, can’t turn off notifications for new offerings. I just want to be notified about my current holdings only.
Main reason I signed up was to buy stake in Banksy. Never got the notification that his work had dropped, completely missed my opportunity. Notifications are woefully behind real-time, like by days.
decent app, the little trivia section is a nice plus. wish it had a bit more functionality, like more practical ways to track shares owned. a “wishlist” feature would be nice, as well as more graph offerings to see your collection. all things considered, though, it’s a pretty good app; feels new, which i don’t take for granted lol.
Everything this app is about is great and all but what terrible user experience. From the sign on to viewing your pie, to selling share in market place. Every single interaction on this app is a pain. Because of that im out. This app is lightyears away from investing apps like robinhood.
My account was hacked and they did nothing about it. Once I noticed the unusual activity within hours, I called (nobody responds) and emailed them, but still a sell order was placed. They didn't compensate me for the loss. Never ever trust this platform and the company.
There is zero app protection built-in to Masterworks. Anybody can easily open the app and see all your personal data including the last four of your SSN. For a financial app this is completely insane! No FaceID, no password, no PIN or anything. Your info is wide open for the taking.
When I launched this app on my iPad, I was hoping for an experience that would take advantage of this larger hardware platform. Rather, I only get the iPhone app on my iPad. Great that there is an app, but please put some development effort into an iPadOS version. Please. Update - no response from Masterworks. They are now offering “mobile only” art for sale, which means they want you to purchase it with a mobile app. Why not on an iPad?? Hoping for a response from Masterworks, or the app developer. Please.
Even though I turned off all non-essential notifications and emails, I still get spammed by random emails and in-app notifications. I contacted their support and it still keeps happening.
Was tricked to install it to invest, does not work
They force you to use the app to invest in Banksy but it does not work. None of my current investments are showing in the app and the UI/UX is clumsy. I’d recommend removing this app from the AppStore and focusing on the website which is working well.
PLEASE STOP with the CONSTANT notifications that occur several times a day EVERY DAY. This is occurring even after signing up for the option that offers the least number of notifications. It is very annoying day in and day out.
When Masterworks does a drop through the app only, the platform can’t seem to handle the traffic. It crashes, leaves incomplete investments and risks leaving potential investors on the outside looking in for high valued assets.
Trade Art and Invest with Masterworks Masterworks is an award-winning mobile investment platform that makes it easy for everyday people to invest in shares of multi-million dollar art. Masterworks is the only platform that lets you invest in works by artists like Basquiat, Picasso, Banksy, and more. Alternative Investments in Blue-Chip Art Compared to other asset classes, contemporary art investments have outperformed the S&P 500, real estate, and gold for the past 26 years with a price appreciation of 13.8%, but there has been no way to invest in it. Masterworks is the first company to offer art investment products to the investing public. Contemporary Art Price Mobile investments in fine art through Masterworks can be an attractive option for those looking for an alternative investment opportunity with the potential for financial gain and the added benefit of supporting the art world. How it works: - Diversify your portfolio and invest in shares of multi-million dollar paintings - Buy and sell shares on our trading platform - Receive proceeds on your investment when the painting sells We Select The Artists Our research team uses our proprietary data to determine which artist markets have the most momentum for investing. We Purchase the Art Our acquisitions team locates what we believe is a good piece, at a fair price, and we purchase the art for you to invest in. We Securitize the Artwork We file an offering circular with the Securities and Exchange Commission allowing anyone to invest in art. We Hold the Artwork 3-10 Years Wait until we sell the painting to receive your pro rata proceeds, after our fees. Sell Shares on The Trading Market You have the option to seek to sell your art shares on our trading market. Alternative Investment in Art Our team of art experts carefully curates and researches each artwork to ensure its authenticity, provenance, and potential value. You can invest in a piece for as little as $20 and watch your investment grow over time. Plus, with the artwork itself serving as collateral, you can be sure your investment is secure. At Masterworks, we understand that investing in art can be intimidating, which is why we provide educational resources and insights about the art market to help you make informed investment decisions. You'll also have access to our trading platform, which allows you to buy and sell shares in artworks like stocks, giving you even more flexibility and control over your portfolio. Join our 650,000+ users unlocking an asset class that was once reserved only for billionaires. Download now for exclusive mobile-only offerings! See important Reg A disclosures: Masterworks.com/cd
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