Business ProfileforAssemblage Ltd.

I purchased a painting with **** via 1stDibs.com,a company that says it ships all over the world, to be shipped to ********, ******. It says I will be responsible for the payment of any customs. **** said to arrange shipping through him.Prior to purchasing the painting I enquirer of both **** and 1st Dibs.com if they would have any trouble getting the painting into ******. Neither said it would be a problem.I bought the painting and **** shipped it through Fed Ex. I tracked the shipping and it stalled in customs. I told ****.A few days later the tracking showed the painting got diverted and was being returned to the sender. This was about four weeks after the purchase. The reason given was I didnt have a broker. Since the item was diverted from mazatlan I couldnt get a broker until the item was returned to ****.At this point I didnt even know what this meant.I told ****. He said ,oh, maybe that is why you are not getting your art delivered. Again this was about four weeks after purchase and **** had arranged delivery.Then the trouble started. **** blamed the situation on me, he said I failed to get a broker. At the time of purchase and hiring fed ex neither nor 1st dibs mentioned this.He then told 1st dibs he hasnt received the painting back, implies I was negligent even though I enquirer of both 1st Dibs and him.He simply now says hire a broker. I now that is just giving fed ex power of attorney. However that cannot be done until the package is sent again.No one mentioned this to me about a broker - just that I had to pay any customs.Now I dont have the art which cost about **** and they wont refund the money. 1st Dibs has not been helpful.**** implies he told me to hire a broker at the time of purchase. That isnt true. He said that a few weeks later which can be shown through correspondence on the Wesite for 1st dibs. He arranged the shipping and said there wouldnt be a problem. Now he tells a different story.