Appraisers

[SLICK300]

Good afternoon everyone--

I have purchased a diamond from an online vendor and made an appointment to get it appraised. Confirmed appraiser''s address, then found it that her office is located in the back of a local jeweler''s store. This appraiser is listed here on PS under resources. Does anyone think I should have any concerns over the independence/impartiality of this appaiser?

S3

 

[John P]

Date: 7/28/2008 1:15:37 PM
Author:SLICK300
Good afternoon everyone--

I have purchased a diamond from an online vendor and made an appointment to get it appraised. Confirmed appraiser's address, then found it that her office is located in the back of a local jeweler's store. This appraiser is listed here on PS under resources. Does anyone think I should have any concerns over the independence/impartiality of this appaiser?

S3

Possibly. The appraiser should not be affiliated with anyone who sells gems or jewelry. There are appraisers who travel and may meet you in a jeweler's office area for security - some might consider that unaffiliated-ish, but from a strict point of view the appraiser should be completely independent to avoid bias or the appearance of bias.

This article may be of interest to you:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/58/1/%e2%80%9cAppraise-the-Appraiser%e2%80%9d---Help-for-Consumers.aspx

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 7/28/2008 1:20:05 PM
Author: John Pollard
There are appraisers who travel and may meet you in a jeweler''s office area for security - some might consider that unaffiliated-ish, but from a strict point of view the appraiser should be completely independent to avoid bias

My appraiser has an office just inside the front door of a local jewelery shop. I asked him about it and he said it is safer for both himself and his clients as the shop has high security. However, he is not affiliated with that shop and in fact, doesn''t even like the inventory they have so I''ve never worried about his opinion being clouded. That said, my appraiser is quite conservative in his appraisals and does not inflate appraisals, and he is quite well known and respected in his field so I''m not concerned about any bias. That said, you should just tell us who you''re thinking of using and maybe people here can give you firsthand accounts of their experiences with this person.

 

[SLICK300]

Hi Surfgirl--

http://www.aplusappraisals.info/

I am located in Albany NY and Diane Burke/A + Appraisals is listed under the resources link at the top of the page. I will add that the store her office is located in is a that of a long standing local business (86 +) that is, completely coincidentally, the jeweler my father uses.