Obramaestra FAQ

Question 1

What is Obramaestra?

Accepted Answer

Obramaestra is a marketplace and community for original artwork by Filipino artists. Every listing is a one-of-a-kind physical work — no prints, no editions, no reproductions. Artists list their own pieces, collectors browse, follow and buy, and we handle payment, delivery coordination and protection for both sides.

Question 2

How do I buy a piece?

Accepted Answer

Open any artwork page and choose Buy. You'll confirm your delivery address, review the shipping fee, and pay through our secure checkout. Once payment clears, the artwork is marked sold and reserved for you, and a private order thread opens between you and the artist so you can arrange the details of the delivery.

Question 3

Do I need an account to browse?

Accepted Answer

No. Browsing, search, collections and artist profiles are all public. You only need an account to buy, message an artist, follow, like or comment.

Question 4

How do I become a selling artist?

Accepted Answer

Create an account, choose the artist role during onboarding, and complete your profile — bio, artist statement, location and payout details. You can then upload your work with photos, dimensions, medium and price. Listing is free while we are in beta.

Question 5

Can two people buy the same artwork?

Accepted Answer

No. Because every work is 1 of 1, the listing is locked as soon as the first payment is confirmed. If someone else is mid-checkout, they'll be told the piece is no longer available and will not be charged.

Question 6

What does it cost to list artwork?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. Creating a profile and listing work is free while we are in beta. There are no monthly fees and no per-listing fees.

Question 7

How much commission does Obramaestra take?

Accepted Answer

We take a 15% commission on the artwork price when a piece sells. The artist receives 85% of the artwork price. The commission covers payment processing, platform hosting, buyer protection and support.

Question 8

Can you show me an example?

Accepted Answer

If a painting is listed at ₱20,000: the buyer pays ₱20,000 plus the shipping fee shown at checkout. Obramaestra keeps ₱3,000 (15%). The artist is credited ₱17,000 (85%), which appears in the Earnings tab of their dashboard.

Question 9

Is commission charged on shipping?

Accepted Answer

No. Commission is calculated on the artwork price only. Shipping is passed through to cover the courier.

Question 10

Are there any hidden charges for buyers?

Accepted Answer

No. The price you see at checkout — artwork price plus shipping — is the total. We do not add service fees, and there are no charges for messaging, following or using the site.

Question 11

Who ships the artwork?

Accepted Answer

The artist packs and ships the work. Shipping is quoted automatically at checkout based on the artwork's dimensions and weight and the delivery zone, so both sides know the cost up front.

Question 12

How is the shipping fee calculated?

Accepted Answer

We use courier zonal rates for the Philippines, computed from the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight of the packed piece. Metro Manila to Metro Manila is cheapest; inter-island and remote areas cost more. The exact amount is shown before you pay.

Question 13

How long does delivery take?

Accepted Answer

Artists have a few days to pack and dispatch. Once handed to the courier, expect roughly 1–3 days within Metro Manila, 3–5 days for other Luzon addresses, and 5–7 days for Visayas and Mindanao. Large or fragile works may take longer because they need crating.

Question 14

Can I track my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The artist updates the order to Shipped and adds the tracking reference in the order thread, so you can follow it from your dashboard's Orders tab.

Question 15

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

Not through automated checkout yet. If you are outside the Philippines, message the artist or contact us and we'll arrange a quote manually.

Question 16

How is the work packed?

Accepted Answer

Artists are asked to pack for transit: corner protection, glassine or acid-free tissue on the surface, rigid board, bubble wrap and a double-wall carton. Works on paper travel flat or in a tube; heavy or glazed pieces are crated.

Question 17

When do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Funds are held until the buyer confirms receipt of the artwork, or until the confirmation window closes automatically after delivery. Your 85% share is then credited as a payable and released in the next scheduled payout batch.

Question 18

How do payouts reach me?

Accepted Answer

By bank transfer or e-wallet to the payout details in your dashboard. Your account details are stored securely and are never visible to buyers or other artists.

Question 19

Where can I see my sales?

Accepted Answer

The Earnings tab in your dashboard shows gross sales, the 15% commission, your 85% net, what is still pending release and what has already been paid out.

Question 20

What if my payout details are wrong?

Accepted Answer

Update them in your dashboard before the next batch runs. If a transfer fails, we'll message you and retry once the corrected details are saved.

Question 21

How am I protected?

Accepted Answer

Your payment is held by Obramaestra — not passed straight to the artist — until the artwork reaches you and you confirm receipt. If the piece never ships, arrives damaged, or is materially different from the listing, you can raise the issue from your Orders tab and we will step in.

Question 22

What if the artwork arrives damaged?

Accepted Answer

Photograph the packaging and the damage before doing anything else, then open a refund request from the order within 7 days of delivery. Damage in transit is covered — you'll be refunded or, where possible, we'll arrange a repair with the artist.

Question 23

What if the piece looks different from the photos?

Accepted Answer

Listings must state true dimensions, medium, year and condition. If the work materially differs from what was described, that's grounds for a return. Slight colour variation between screens is normal and not, on its own, a valid claim.

Question 24

Is the artwork authentic?

Accepted Answer

Every work is sold by the artist who made it, from a verified profile. Artists are asked to include a signed certificate of authenticity with each piece. Misrepresenting authorship is grounds for permanent removal from the platform.

Question 25

Is my payment information safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Card and e-wallet details are handled entirely by our licensed payment processor. Obramaestra never sees or stores your card number.

Question 26

Can I cancel an order?

Accepted Answer

Yes, free of charge, any time before the artist marks it shipped. Open the order in your dashboard and request cancellation — the full amount, including shipping, is returned.

Question 27

Can I return a piece I simply don't like?

Accepted Answer

Original artwork is not sold on a change-of-mind basis. Returns are accepted when the work is damaged, lost in transit, not as described, or never delivered. If you are unsure about scale or colour, message the artist before buying — most will send extra photos or a room mock-up.

Question 28

How do I request a refund?

Accepted Answer

Go to Dashboard → Orders, open the order and choose Request refund. Describe the issue and attach photos. The artist and our team both see the request, and we respond within 2 business days.

Question 29

How long does a refund take?

Accepted Answer

Once approved, refunds are issued to the original payment method. Cards typically take 5–10 banking days; e-wallets and bank transfers are usually faster.

Question 30

Who pays return shipping?

Accepted Answer

If the work was damaged, lost or not as described, Obramaestra or the artist covers return shipping. In any agreed-return case, the piece must be repacked to the same standard it arrived in.

Question 31

What happens if the artist and I disagree?

Accepted Answer

Raise it in the order thread first — most issues are a misunderstanding about timing. If that doesn't resolve it, escalate from the order and our team reviews the messages, tracking history and photos, then makes a decision. Funds stay held until the dispute is closed.

Question 32

How long does a dispute take?

Accepted Answer

We aim to acknowledge within 2 business days and resolve within 10, depending on how quickly both sides respond and whether the courier needs to investigate.

Question 33

What if the artist stops replying?

Accepted Answer

If an artist doesn't ship or respond within the expected window, the order is cancelled and you are refunded in full. Repeat non-delivery leads to suspension.

Question 34

How do I report a listing or a user?

Accepted Answer

Use the report option on any artwork, profile or comment. Reports go straight to our moderation queue. We remove reproductions, stolen images, misrepresented work and abusive behaviour.

Question 35

Can I message an artist before buying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Messaging is open to any signed-in member, whether or not you've bought anything. Start a conversation from an artist's profile and it appears in the Messages tab of your dashboard.

Question 36

Who can see my messages?

Accepted Answer

Only you and the person you're talking to. Our team reads a thread only when it is attached to a dispute or a report.

Question 37

Can I sign in with my username?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can sign in with either your username or your email address.

Question 38

Can I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Yes — contact us and we'll remove your profile and personal data. Records tied to completed sales are retained where the law requires it.

Question 39

How do I reach support?

Accepted Answer

Email support@obramaestra.art with your order reference, or open the order in your dashboard and message us from there. We reply within 2 business days, Monday to Friday, Philippine time.

Question 40

I'm press, a gallery or a partner — who do I talk to?

Accepted Answer

Email hello@obramaestra.art and tell us a little about what you have in mind.

Question 41

My question isn't answered here.

Accepted Answer

Send it to support@obramaestra.art. If it's something other people are likely to ask, we'll add it to this page.

Questions, answered.

How it works

Fees & commissions

Shipping & delivery

Payouts for artists

Buyer protection

Refunds & returns

Disputes & moderation

Account, messaging & privacy

Contact

Still stuck?