The new website, Welcome Arts, was launched by Andrew Welcome who spent six years working with an art restorer before starting work on the website while pursuing a business and marketing degree.
“I saw a gap in the market,” Welcome told ATG. “I collect art and when I decided to start selling it the only way to sell online the way I wanted was on eBay. I thought there should be a cheaper option.”
The new platform features a lower commission rate than eBay and allows users to hold timed auctions on their objects lasting for one, two or three months with the option of automatic re-listing.
The website also features 0% buyer’s premium and the commission fee of 5.5%-8% depending on value.
Welcome spent a year working on the website which at the moment is exclusively geared toward art. However, Weclome said that he would widen the market to include antiques “if there is a demand.”
