There are as many places and ways to buy art these days as there are prices of art available on the market. Especially with the explosion of the internet and the ease with which people can buy and sell art online, there are more opportunities to buy fine art than ever before. Finding a reputable gallery, studio, or independent artist is one of the best things you can do when you are looking to buy abstract art for your collection, no matter where you are going to buy it.How to be smart when you buy artNo matter if you are an experienced art buyer or a novice who is interested in getting into art collecting, there are some basic rules of thumb to follow when you buy fine art. It is possible to buy art online as well as from traditional galleries all over the world, so it can be a daunting task to find the art you want to buy, and then to make sure it is what you want. One of the most important things you can do before you buy purchase art is to verify everything you can. There is often a lot of information that goes along with the description for a piece of art, but how can you know that any of it is true? One of the ways to do this is to ask the artist or seller directly, but as they are likely the one who write the description to begin with, how can you trust what they say? If possible, use an independent source or expert of your choice to verify any information regarding a piece of art for sale. Also, be cautious about accepting an offer of a free appraisal before or after you buy art from anyone; as a general rule, buy your art in one place and then have it appraised somewhere else.Be safe and secure when you buy art using these tipsIt is important to be proactive when you want to buy art from someone; you are the one who needs to act in your best interests and make sure that you are protected when making a large purchase either online or elsewhere. One of the best ways to protect yourself when buying art is to get everything in writing; any information about the art, about the seller, and about their purchase and return policies and any other information needs to be in writing. In some cases emails will work well for this, but otherwise the traditional method of having a written / typed and signed document notarized will usually stand up in court should it be needed to prove your claims. It is also a good idea to get as much contact information about the seller and the artist as you can so in case you have any questions or need to contact them for any reason, you will be able to do so. And of course make sure to discuss the possibility that you might need to return the art, and what steps will be taken if you do need to return it and get your money back. One way to get much of the information you need in a single document is to consider a certificate of authenticity created / signed by the artist of the piece which includes details such as the exact title of the work, its medium, dimensions, subject, and the date it was created. If the person selling the art to you is not the original artist, their information can appear on the certificate as well. A legitimate certificate of authenticity can be identified by an original document versus a photocopy, and will have the identity and contact information for the party issuing the certificate mentioned plainly on the page.You can be new to art collecting or you can have years of experience under your belt, but everyone is equal when it comes to the steps you need to take before you buy art either online or from a physical gallery. Getting all of the information you possibly can and having it verified by an independent source you choose is the best and safest way to be smart and protect yourself when you buy art. Do not let this caution keep you from enjoying the art buying experience, instead let it give you the satisfaction of knowing that the art you buy is well worth it!