Did you read today’s LA Times? Thomas Kinkade’s Co. was found liable for $860,000 (that number is estimated to grow by millions after legal fees are settled). The company was sued by Kinkade Gallery franchise owners who realized they couldn’t move the merchandise which were limited edition prints of Kinkade’s work. The defendants also claim that a series of seminars, testimonials, and “Christian” overtones convinced them that they would be successful in their venture. Experts (read: drooling lawyers) believe this will open up the floodgates of litigation against Kinkade’s company. After reading the article I had two very contrasting opinions:

1. You, my dear plantiffs, are idiots:

You aren’t owed a penny. Businesses are risky, businesses fail daily (even under excellent management). Simply because a person tells you you are going to get rich does not mean you actually will get rich. I get offered an opportunity to get rich daily! I just don’t bite. But then I read something that changed my mind . . .

2. Shame on Kinkade Co.:

From the article:

Although [the plantiffs businesses] were strictly bound by [Kinkade's company] pricing policies, the company sold some Kinkade paper prints to a clearinghouse that resold them to a company that framed them. In December 2001, the prints wound up in Tuesday Morning stores, a discounter that priced them far below what Signature dealers were required to charge.

The article goes on to explain that the Kinkade company had to do this in the wake of economic problems, 9/11, etc., etc. That’s where the bullshit begins to really stink. If that’s true, shame on Thomas Kinkade for undercutting his core audience and the trust he projected to folks who believed in him, no matter how dimwitted they may be. And shame on greedy price gougers the world over - vultures!

And lastly: Want to know why the Kinkade Empire will crumble and crumble fast? Big Head + Overpaid Executive Staff + Elderly Audience + Waning Interest = Unsalable canvases of “Light” ©.