Advice on buying secondhand Tiffany diamond necklace

[forestfairy]

Hi everyone,
I just joined here because I need some advice or opinions! I found a Tiffany diamond necklace on ebay that i''ve been wanting listed for half the price. well the auction ended with no one bidding so i messaged the seller asking if she''d be willing to sell it to me in a few weeks after i get the money. she said she would be ok with that so now before i make a decision, i''m trying to determine if its authentic. she says she can send a photo of the receipt, what would i be looking for in that? and how can i tell if the receipt is fake? this is her first item on ebay (she has not been a buyer either) and she says the reason she is selling is that it was a gift from her husband about 2 months ago, and after she found out how much it cost, she said she would rather spend the money on other things, but at that point she also missed the return period at Tiffany. it sounds like a legitamate reason but also she will now be out a little over $1000. also if i get the necklace, could a jeweler determine the quality of the diamonds and platinum? would this be a charge and if so, how much?
is there a way i could get an employee of a Tiffany store to authenticate it?
thanks so much for any advice!

 

[neatfreak]

Buying something of value on ebay is risky. ONLY do it if you can pay through paypal with your credit card, that way you can do a CC chargeback if it isn''t what she said and she won''t take a return.

You can and should get it appraised by an INDEPENDENT (i.e., does not sell jewelry) appraiser, which will be a hundred bucks or so probably. Tiffany''s might or might not be able to authenticate it...you''d have to call and find out.

I guess the question is: Is the savings worth the risk that it isn''t real? That is a real risk on ebay...you just never know.

 

[Maisie]

I dunno.. I would worry about buying from someone when this is their first time on ebay. It could be legitimate but I wouldn''t just in case. But thats just me.

Have you checked out www.signedpieces.com They sell used designer brands and they are legitimate.

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 10/24/2008 8:07:31 PM
Author: Maisie
I dunno.. I would worry about buying from someone when this is their first time on ebay. It could be legitimate but I wouldn''t just in case. But thats just me.

Have you checked out www.signedpieces.com They sell used designer brands and they are legitimate.

After their well know law suit with Tiffany & Company ,I would be very careful about buying Designer jewelry off Ebay.

 

[rossi46]

I would NEVER buy an item off ebay from a seller with no feedback.

I mean, its basically the same thing as walking down the street and some guy popping his trunk open and saying "Pssst... I got this beautiful Tiffany necklace for sale! Want it?

Its real, see... got the receipt right here!"

Not worth the risk, IMO.

 

[Steel]

+1

Date: 10/24/2008 8:07:31 PM
Author: Maisie
I dunno.. I would worry about buying from someone when this is their first time on ebay. It could be legitimate but I wouldn''t just in case. But thats just me.

Have you checked out www.signedpieces.com They sell used designer brands and they are legitimate.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I personally don''t think the reason sounds right. It sounds very risky but it could work out well. Is it possible to meet them in person at a local Tiffany?

 

[Sharon101]

The thing is with Ebay is that the seller is NOT ever going to tell you `if` it is a fake. They will cry black and blue that it was a gift and the giver would never decieve them etc etc. Even if you call them out it is never their fault and they are always an unwitting victim who is as surprised as you are!!!!!!!

I myself have been burnt in this way and every seller was so nice and friendly and each had a very different story that ranged from selling an unwanted gift from a close relative (who would never cheat them with a fake) to selling stock!!! I was lucky to get 5 refunds from 5 fake sellers but it wasted months of my time and effort. ( Item was Juicy clothing btw!!!)

These are hard times, people are going to be even more ruthless and cunning to make a dollar.

Plus, I would hate to be begging paypal or credit card for a refund....that sounds like really hard work.

Lastly, is this a piece you really want or are you just chasing a bargain for the sake of it? Can it be sent to an appraiser before settlement, like a middleman?

 

[Moh 10]

I'd never buy from eBay, but that's just me.

Still, if you pursue this I like Sharon's idea of sending it to an appraiser before settlement. If the seller won't agree to this I'd pass it up. It is a very reasonable request, especially since the seller has no feedback.

 

[LostSapphire]

Does she still have the packaging? Can you get photos of it WITH the necklace?

LS

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/26/2008 11:20:08 AM
Author: LostSapphire
Does she still have the packaging? Can you get photos of it WITH the necklace?


LS

People sell just the packaging on ebay and there are many fake Tiffany boxes out there...I wouldn''t trust this as validation that it is authentic.