Customer Feedback
About D. Bruce Bennett Celtic Art
You've heard the stories. Sometimes Internet businesses aren't all they’re cracked up to be. How do you know if you're sending your hard-earned money to a reputable Scottish Art business that will deliver the pictures of Scotland (and England) that it's promised to send you?
You don’t. This is cyberspace, after all.
But hearing what other customers say about us may make you more comfortable. The comments below are a small portion of unsolicited feedback we've received since our Internet debut and don't even include the previous 30 years' worth of feedback from Bruce's satisfied, pre-Internet-days customers.
Before we get to what our customers say, let's address the money-thing. Your VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card information goes directly to PayPal's secure site, and we never "see" it. (Yes, anyone can use a credit card at PayPal, member or no.)
Also, please note that we give you our physical/mailing address, not an anonymous USPS box number. If you wish, go to a phone directory search engine, like http://www.switchboard.com, type in last name Bennett and first name D. B. in a people/person search. You'll see we really do exist and can be tracked down if need be.
Or try our phone number, again under "people," for address verification with the one we give on our Contact Us page. We have nothing to hide.
If you'd like to tell us what you think of our Pictures of Scotland and Pictures of England, just e-mail us. Really. FYI: while we love receiving your kudos, we usually learn more from our critics, so fire away.
Father "Delighted" with Eilean Donan
"I recently received the attached painting of Eilean Donan Castle for my birthday from my daughter. She thought you'd like to see it mounted and framed, as she asked for your framing advice. I am delighted with the picture, and it has pride of place in my living room. Many thanks." — A.R. in U.K.
Honeymoon Photos turn into First Anniversary Gift
"I LOVE the paintings. Thank you so very much for them. Please give a big thank-you to Bruce. I really am very happy with them . . . and can’t wait to give them to my husband next week on our first anniversary."
[later] "I haven forgotten you. I had it [Ardanaiseig Hotel Loch, and Ben View] framed and it’s more than perfect!!! We love it." — S.W. in U.K.
No Ego
"Working with Bruce to create a commissioned piece was a true joy. Even though we haven't met face-to-face, I count him as a real friend.
I started by e-mailing a CD cover of a lone piper in a scene we liked. Bruce took this and started pencil sketching ideas that we "discussed" via the Internet. From that concept grew a fantastic piece of art [McIver Piper at Sunset] that more than exceeds our expectations.
Having worked with several artists, I've noticed the one thing that separates Bruce from the others is his overriding desire to please the client and listen to their thoughts. Egos have no place in Bruce's studio."
[later] "It was a much longer process than we had hoped, but the piper is now up at his final resting place. He looks fantastic! The attached pictures do not do your work justice." — D.M. in SC
Enjoyable Commission Process
"We’d never commissioned an artist and had only a general idea of what we wanted: we were quite nervous about attempting this. We knew we wanted a painting of the welcoming porch of our new home and we wanted the painting to reflect who we are.
Bruce was patient and took the time to get to know us and what was important in our lives. He offered ideas, fresh approaches, and helped us get the important concepts down on paper. He brought us several mock-ups to help us refine our ideas and took time to make sure he was going where we wanted to go. It may sound like work, but our family had a lot of fun as we worked on this project.
Now, we have a beautiful and cherished work of art hanging in our living room. Every guest has commented on what a beautiful and heart-warming piece of art we have, and that’s just what we wanted: a painting that reflects who we are and welcomes friends to our home. Bruce is an accomplished professional and a man of the highest personal integrity." — J.R. in CO
Perfect Christmas Gift
"I must still be dreaming. The painting is Heaven and Westies all in one. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Bruce, you are a Master. PERFECT!! I can hardly wait to show this to my Terrier Club. I have tears of joy. Thank you and I know God led me to your sight, looking for thistle and found it all."
[later] "The much awaited painting is here. It is just wonderful! Perfect of my Westies, and thank you for adding their wagon. You have made my Christmas and ----- will love it too. It’s been rewrapped and hidden until the big day." — F.F. in OR
Showing off Scottish Heritage in the Workplace
"I've already gotten my prints framed and in a prominent place on the office walls. They are a delight every time I look at them. Looking forward to meeting you sometime in the near future." — D.C. in CO
Extra Service = Extra Credit
"We just received OUR little surprise package in the mail today after placing an order for ---- for his birthday. Thank you - what a kind gesture! More than your gifts, your kind letter really made an impression upon us. In this day of dwindling customer service and the bottom dollar being the bottom line, we were so thrilled that you took the time to send such a lovely note to -----. (Not only did we get out of hot water, but we also scored a few extra credit points! And you scored more than a few with both us and ----.) Thank you." — D.C. in MD
Unusual Salt Technique
"Thank you for the fabulous artwork you painted for ----. She adores the painting . . . and I very much enjoyed learning about the salt technique. . . ." — D.G. in DC
Timely Delivery
"I just wanted to send you a wee note and let you know that the painting arrived in plenty of time and was a big hit. Thanks for everything." — J.S. in NY
Generous Donation
"I have a nice little story! My niece is in an Irish dance troupe, and they were raising money for a regional competition. They asked for donations from Irish/Scottish/Celtic vendors to raffle. One thing they received was a generous stack of bookmarks with Waiting for Master on them. I obtained a few and was so taken with the adorable picture, I HAD to have a print for my living room. Soooo, I visited your web site and, lo and behold, there was Waiting for Master, just waiting for me! Thanks for your contribution to the dance troupe and for your wonderful artwork." — S.F. in NV
Great Service & Products
"Just wanted to let you know that my order arrived yesterday. Wow! What great service, and the products are terrific." — G.M. in GA
Commissioned Painting
from Gift Recipients' Own Photo
"Hello there!! I've attached a digital of the Castle Forbes framed and hung on my parent's wall [a surprise Christmas gift, painted from their own photo, after a trip to Scotland]. It looks beautiful!! It brought tears to everyone's eyes.
Thank you again." — N.M. in CO
Wonderful Delivery & Service
"Thank you so much for the attention you gave to our order. My father was from Glasgow, and I'm looking forward to seeing the painting. He also played the bagpipes. . . . We just received the painting. It was wonderfully packed. I am in love with it. The frame is beautiful and matches my decor. I looked at the painting from across the room, and it really catches your eye. Thank you very much for the wonderful delivery and service." — S.H. in TX
Appreciated Gifts
"We received the Snow in the Highlands paintings from ----- for hosting their wedding reception at our house. We love it!" — E.H. in MT
"The [commissioned] painting arrived on Friday. We presented it to my parents that evening after dinner. They were stunned. First of all, they never even imagined this type of gift. Secondly, they loved the detail to the original photos. Thirdly, they were thrilled that this is a one-of-a-kind painting - that no one else will have one like it (like a print would be). We will be framing the photos to be hung next to the watercolor in a grouping as a conversation piece." — L.H. in GA
(Bruce combined two of the customer's e-mailed JPG photos of a family holiday in Scotland into one composition for this surprise gift - in record time!)
Centerpiece for Redecoration
"I have just spent a wonderful half hour visiting your web site. Now I'm homesick. I'm redecorating my daughter's bedroom using [Happy Feet] as a theme, and having the medals that she won in Scotland (dancing) framed as a companion piece to go with the picture. I'm really excited about doing this, and I know when she comes home from college on break, she will love it, too. I'm actually from England, near Birmingham. . . . The print arrived safe and sound on Saturday. I LOVE it. Thank you so much!" — D.B. in CO
Beautiful, Eerie Art
"I will wait anxiously for my picture of the piper in the mist. I think it is eerily beautiful and makes me wonder about my Scottish ancestors I never knew." — H.P. in CA
Excellent Artwork
"I was very excited to receive your painting this morning. They tried to deliver the painting yesterday, but we weren't home. So I had to wait till this morning to go by and get it. It's hanging in our home office now. The work is excellent and has a very special meaning to me." — B.H. in TX
Hard-to-Find Artwork
"We run the website for ----- Scottish Pipes & Drums, and the link to your site was emailed to us. I liked the site so much I've already e-mailed it to some friends. It's difficult to find Celtic art outside of Highland games." — M.S. in MI
Fantastic Service
"I cannot believe how quickly my package arrived with my prints and other items! I was so excited, and everything was fantastic. I LOVE my prints and can't wait to frame them and show them off. I loved the Long Peaks CD, and my children immediately colored their Scottish posters. Thank you so much for the fantastic service. The artwork is exactly what I have been searching for FOR YEARS. Thanks!" — L.J. in NY
Daughter's Namesake
"I can’t believe I’m actually buying this painting [Mt. Morven Overlooking Coull Castle]. It was love at first glance a few years ago. (I initially thought it was in a museum gallery in Scotland.) I'm buying it for my daughter (whose name is Morven), but hanging onto it till her high school graduation, when I'll present it to her.
My grandparents were born in Edinburgh, my husband and I lived in Edinburgh for a while. I’ve been back many times, hiked . . . and toured most of the country, have close friends throughout Scotland, and always feel at “home” while there.
Thank you!" — S.O. in CAN
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Duty-Free Scottish Art by a U.S. Artist
