How buying works
From first research to a protected purchase — buying on Meridian's is built to give you the depth of a private advisor with the safety of secure payment.
Step 1
Research with the AI
Open any listing and ask the AI consultant for auction history, the artist's biography, period context, and provenance guidance — free, on every work.
Step 2
Inquire or buy direct
Some works are listed for Direct sale — you can buy them on-platform with one click. Others are listed for inquiry — you message the gallery to arrange the purchase privately. Either path starts on the listing page.
Step 3
Pay securely
For direct sales, pay through Meridian's secure checkout. Your card details never reach the seller, and the price you pay is for the work — shipping & handling is arranged and billed directly by the seller.
Step 4
Receive & confirm
Once the work arrives, confirm delivery from your order receipt so the sale is recorded as complete. You can then leave feedback for the seller.
What protects your purchase
01
Pay securely
Checkout through Meridian's — your card details never reach the seller.
02
Seller ships
The work is dispatched, with the carrier and tracking added to your order.
03
Inspect on arrival
5 days to confirm delivery — or report a problem, which pauses completion.
04
Sale completes
You confirm — or it completes 10 days after shipping if nothing is reported.
Pay securely
Checkout through Meridian's — your card details never reach the seller.
Seller ships
The work is dispatched, with the carrier and tracking added to your order.
Inspect on arrival
5 days to confirm delivery — or report a problem, which pauses completion.
Sale completes
You confirm — or it completes 10 days after shipping if nothing is reported.
An open problem report pauses completion until it’s resolved — the seller and Meridian’s support are notified the moment you raise one.
Common questions
Is there a fee for buyers?+
Browsing, the AI consultant and inquiries are free for collectors. When you buy through secure checkout you pay the price of the work — our commission is charged to the seller, not added to your total. Shipping is arranged and billed separately by the seller.
What's the difference between Direct sale and Contact to purchase?+
Direct sale listings can be purchased on Meridian's with one click and secure payment. Contact-to-purchase listings are handled by the gallery off-platform — you message them, agree the terms together, and pay them directly.
Can I make an offer?+
Bidding and counter-offers are on the roadmap and will switch on once Meridian's reaches more steady marketplace traffic. For now, use Buy now on direct-sale works, or message the gallery via the inquiry form to negotiate privately.
Does Meridian's authenticate works?+
No. We present each listing's cataloguing, provenance and condition as supplied, and the AI helps you research — but final authentication and valuation should come from a qualified specialist.
How is shipping handled?+
The seller handles shipping end to end — Meridian's doesn't quote, collect or arrange it. Galleries and artists choose the courier, arrange packing and insurance, and provide tracking; their stated method appears on each listing. Agree the shipping cost and timing directly with the seller before you buy. For higher-value works we recommend a specialist fine-art courier — see Buyer Protection.