Buy with no certificate?

[spinstlouis]

I plan to purchase a diamond ring from ebay--seller has a reasonable refund policy, 99.5% approval rating w/over 2500 items sold, and though a couple of his buyers said that their rings appraised at a little less or at not quite the specs advertised, they were still pleased and had been told they still got a good deal. My concern is that though some of his rings come with certification, others, like the one I want, do not. (The ring is USED--seller specializes in estate pieces.) The purchase price is so low that I feel like it's worth the risk, especially since I can return the ring if not happy with it. Advertised as:

.82 ct., H, SI, 6-prong Platinum w/gold accents (5.6 grams), $1,180.00

No crown or pav. % given, but the other specs fall within recommended ranges.

His retail estimate for this ring is approx. $3700.00, but it is a Used ring.

NOTE: This seller claims to be a wholesaler specializing in estate auctions, manufaturer's liquidations, and dealer closeouts. He has about 65 pieces of unique jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings--all are nice diamond and/or gemstone peices) listed right now, and has been selling on the site since March 1998. He has accumulated over 2500 positive feedback messages (three negatives) since then. (All are still posted, many are for items that were returned and refunded.)

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.
spinstlouis

 

[valeria101]

Just curious here... you will buy this ring knowing that what you get is not the same as advertised. Your posts shows that you do know that the actual merchandise is exactly what you will pay for: so why not get a certain deal -a properly certified stone with all specs in place?

In my view, the purely theoretical chance that the ring from Ebay is really sold at a fraction of the market value is at least as big as getting a piece not worth the money. Why take the risk? While 1k might not be a fortune when talking diamond rings, it surely does not deserve being trashed

About E-bay feedback: is it obtained for the same type of object you want to buy? Such a large-volume opperation does not stryke me as the typical profile of a diamond seller. Of course, to each his own.... This is my 0.2 on the affair.

 

[Lauren523]

Hi spinstlouis!

I recommend getting a diamond with certification by the G.I.A. If you read my post (i don't know what to do) you'll see why. My fiance and I are going shopping together for a new engagement ring and we're not buying an uncertified diamond this time. The price of your ring sounds great, but just be careful!! Good Luck!

 

[strmrdr]

If you can have it sent to an independant appraiser for the cost of the appraisal and shipping without putting any money down first then consider it otherwise I wouldnt do it.

As one person found out the hard way recently and posted here ebay sellers refund policies are only as good as the person doing the selling and in their case he was rotton to the core.
The seller had 2000+ positives too.

 

[spinstlouis]

Thank you for replying. I fully understand your skepticism. I've added a note to my original post that might answer some of your questions. Thank you for calling up those points.

 

[BearMan]

I couldnt find the post I was looking for but I would say to be extremely skeptical.....I dont think i would purchase from ebay not when good prices and NICE Stones can be found thru reputable online dealers(with due dillegence in research of course

)

 

[alexah]

Not saying this would happen to you but would you really want to take the chance?
I think this is the thread that BearMan is referring to:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/e-bay-nightmare-any-advice.13242/

 

[valeria101]

Hm... so the seller does not breach his return policy. I am not sure that many returned objects make a great reputation. It all depends on what you are looking for.

In one short word: if all you want is a randomly faceted carbon crystal pegged to a ring - this is it: te ring will probably turn out great relative to expecttations. Get more demanding than this and the purchanse may dissapoint - as it did others. If you still want to try, at least make sure that the seller would actually accept the ring back for a refund after appraisal. You really have no way to prove that the ring is in original condition if the seller chooses to contest this - so hopefully all those positive feedbacks are meaningful.

It sounds like the price you are getting is about 2/3 of what you may pay for a similar object with known specs (this, assuming an inexpensive setting). It is not unusual to see 'retail estimates' or 'appraisal values' at twice the actual sale price: this has more to do with insurance and other considerations than a survey of market prices.

 

[BearMan]

----------------
On 3/20/2004 1:58:13 PM alexah wrote:

Not saying this would happen to you but would you really want to take the chance?
I think this is the thread that BearMan is referring to:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/e-bay-nightmare-any-advice.13242/
----------------

I linked it for easy clicking

E-BAY NIGHTMARE THIS IS IT!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi,

I agree that it's not worth the risk. If a couple other buyers said their purchases from this seller had lesser specs than what was promised, then probably others have unknowingly experienced this also, but never had the item(s) appraised so they're just assuming the seller was truthful.

For other fun jewelery/less money, I don't think it's as big of a deal not having a certificate, but for an engagement ring I'd want to seek out the best your money can buy and as mentioned, there's numerous vendors you can trust who can give you a great deal on a certified diamond with all specs known and verified.

Michelle

 

[pqcollectibles]

Actually, there are some very fine "Estate" jewelry sellers on eBay. I've personally dealt with a couple. But I wasn't spending the kind of money you are talking either. I bought little baubbles for my daughters 'cause I could get similar, nicer quality items for much less $$$ than local B&M's were asking.

And, occassionally, you come across and individual that is selling a nice quality piece. Sometimes you can find some reasonable deals buying from individuals as well. You just have to be careful on eBay.

 

[frugal]

The purchase price is so low that I feel like it's worth the risk, especially since I can return the ring if not happy with it.

Is this ring for you or as a gift for someone else? If this is a gift, I don't think it is "worth the risk".
I love finding bargains myself, but a bargain is only a bargain if you ACTUALLY get EXACTLY what you want.

His retail estimate for this ring is approx. $3700.00, but it is a Used ring.

Seems a bit high. And, that would make me actually think twice about buying from this vendor. The fact that in the past he has had stuff appraise for less than value would also send up red flags as well.

Don't get me wrong, I know lots of people that have bought from ebay and love the deals they got. But, jewelry is something else. If I were in your shoes, I would rather pay additional dollars for 1)certfied (AGS or GIA) diamond and 2)get it from a reputable online or B&M vendor.

 

[phoenixgirl]

No, I would NOT do it. If it seems to good to be true, IT IS! If you want to buy an estate piece, then buy one locally from someone whom you can at least visit if there is a problem.

I too bought jewelry off of eBay from a power seller with over 99% positives -- diamond studs that were supposed to be "H-I" color but were "N-O." I had to harrass to seller to get my $250 back. After returning the earrings, there was no sign of my money, and I had to file with the BBB to get them to give my refund. They tried every trick in the book to give the run-around . . . . "Our ebay people are on vacation." "Well, the price you paid is awfully cheap for I colored stones. It's really a fair price." etc. And all of this for $250. I'm just glad I didn't risk more.

What were my recourses? Ebay wouldn't help me, the BBB hardly did anything, and small claims court would have been a huge hassle for that much $. I'm just lucky that they acquiesed after about ten phone calls.

 

[mdx]

Hi spinstlouis

I would say don’t touch it because at the price you quoted the vendor could walk into a Dealer and sell it for spot cash at a better price.
So why go to the trouble of listing on E-Bay
This comment is based on just an average 0.82 H SI2.

Johan
Melbourne Diamond Exchange Ltd

 

[phoenixgirl]

By the way, if it turns out to be an I I1, that is completely within the scope of the law for it to be one grade off. Even if it's more, the FTC, which regulates diamond grading, will not be able to get you your money back. It's completely up to the seller to honor its return policy.

 

[babieblackcat]

Absolutely say NO NO NO from Ebay. In case you didn't get what you want, you may not able to get the money back. Ebay is not going to help, PayPal is not going to help, BBB is not going to help you! 2500+ rating doesn't mean anything. 2300 out of 2500 of feedback can be came from the sellers, not from the buyers. He can buy a stamp for $0.37 get a 1 positive feedback, you know what I mean....

 

[spinstlouis]

Thank you, everyone, for all the thought you've put into answering my questions. You guys are great. I guess I'm going to have to break the bad news to my boyfriend. I guess we'll have to wait until we can afford to spend more. We're already "engaged," as far as we and our friends are concerned. But thanks again for all your help.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

If you have a grand to waste, why buy a diamond ring?

Fools and their money are soon parted.

 

[strmrdr]

If you want to save some money educate yourself on what to look for learn to spot I colored or better diamonds and buy a loop and hit the pawn shops.
Learn what the most common size is for the working class in your area the majority of the used diamonds avialable will be that size range.
A small millimeter ruler helps judge size also.
An ideal scope isnt a bad idea either.
Get a written guarentee that its a real diamond.
Unless the stone has a cert dont pay over 1/4 the new cost of a i with the clarity you see thru the loop for that size.
With a cert you can go up to 1/3-1/2 but keep in mind that they likely paid 15% or less.
Once you have the diamond remounting isnt that expensive so dont pass if the diamond is nice but you dont like the setting.

You can save a ton of money.
I did.

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 3/22/2004 1:51:39 AM spinstlouis wrote:





I guess I'm going to have to break the bad news to my boyfriend. I guess we'll have to wait until we can afford to spend more.
----------------

Well, there's an alternative method that will let you wear a ring while you wait to save more for your "dream" ring.

Go to one of the vendors here that has a lifetime, full-value trade in policy, and purchase the best stone you can afford to now with the money you have already saved for it. (For example, Whiteflash has some excellent .52/.53 stones in your price range in their expert selection of round ideal cut stones.)

You can wear this as you continue to save money toward the ring you want, and when you have saved the rest, you can trade the stone you buy now in for FULL purchase price and add the money you saved to get the larger stone.