Calling cushioncutnut, DigitalDevo, TL - Ebay Vendors

[minousbijoux]

I know we've all had experiences with ebay vendors recently - good and bad. Here's our chance to learn from each other and I'm happy to start. I followed TL's advice and sent a bunch of vendors emails about such things as color saturation, cut and certs (I can dig up names later on these). Most responded, some did not so they were scuttled. Some of those that responded, wouldn't cert, so they were dropped. Of those remaining, if they made an attempt at responding, even to provide some measure of information more than "Its pink," or "stone is blue," then I bought from them. So far, I have received stones from three vendors (next up is for me to learn how to take digital pix, transfer them onto the computer, and post them). Because I'm trying to be respectful and indulge my paranoid worries, I've modified the name of each a bit, but I'll leave it to you to fill in the blank (we need a smiley for a little guy winking) Here is what I've found to date (still waiting, and wondering if I've been scammed, on another):

Thaig_mstore: the behemoth. I don't even look at their photos as they seem so enhanced. I go straight to the video. I bought two sphenes, both really pretty, some eye clean light tanzanites claimed to be unheated, a pinkish tourmaline and a unheated sapphire (which I paid to have certed). Except the sapphire, all the stones were not worth certing because I won them on auction. My tally:

Sphenes: really nice, as pictured.
Tanzanites: one was chipped and they were absolutely great about saying they would take it back and pay its way - we'll see what happens with Paypal. The others were fine.
Tourmaline: exactly as pictured - a little boring.
Sapphire (will report back, arriving tonight)

I'll add the others when I get back from Fed Ex.

 

[Lee Little]

As trades people we are not allowed to comment on this forum on other vendors stones, right? Best regards, Lee

 

[minousbijoux]

Lee:

Thanks for the reminder - I think that affects only you trades people though and not the rest of us?

 

[arjunajane]

Lee:

Thanks for the reminder - I think that affects only you trades people though and not the rest of us?

Lee was asking a question. Lee, if you'd like to add something for educational value but are unsure if its crossing the line, I recommend contacting admin.

 

[minousbijoux]

Ooops - thanks for the translation, AJ, as I missed it completely

 

[minousbijoux]

Okay so I got my sapphire. It came today with its GIA cert and it is really sparkly. Clarity as described with a small window, but it is unheated, a pretty color and sparkly (not cheap though). So I would say all in all, Thaig_mstore came through. Oh, and when I won the sapphire, the vendor, Pon, called to tell me that it was the prettiest no heat sapphire he had cut in years. I thought it was really nice to call - and his english is quite good.

Next:

World class gemst_ne:
a matching pair of round spessies totaling 1.26 cts - pretty color, sparkly, decent cutting for an auction item;
1.04 red spinel - as described great almost pure red (slight orange) color, wonky cutting but good depth, with a small chip in girdle; and
1.27 spess described as a brilliant cut octagon - brown tinge with a window.

In summary, two out of three were pretty, but one was chipped, so only one exceeded expectations - but I paid very little because they were all auctions, so I might be willing to work up to a more expensive stone and see what happens.

Royal g_ms us:
1.51, 2.39 tanzanites - don't know, haven't come yet. Waiting patiently...starting to wonder...

Op_n gem stone:

2 blue zircons, 5 small pear-shaped sapphires with a total weight of 2.4 cts. Ehh...I could take em or leave these; wonky cutting on zircons, heightened contrast on photos of sapphires exaggerated their color. Hey, but fast shipping!

I would love to hear from others...thanks!

 

[Arkteia]

See, I am not sure that this experience could be the guiding light for me. From your questions they probably guessed that they were dealing with a knowledgeable customer (maybe a PS-er (in tragic whisper) - wink). Anyhow, they tried for you.

I think that at this time toolhaus is a valid resource. I wanted to buy a stone from one vendor today, a rare stone and the price was not bad. But looked at the reviews... stone never arrived... vendor did not return our money... stone does not look like in picture... an ok stone. No one said that he was selling synthetic but very few people liked this seller, either.

Also, was it Thai gm..ty/Thai...gm...ge that was recently criticised? Or was it another Thaig.m? I always confuse them.

 

[minousbijoux]

Thanks Crasru - I did use Toolhaus, and checked the feedback for these sellers before I purchased. Most of them had at least one neutral or negative comment masquerading as a positive comment like "stone is nice, but not as pictured." I wish I could tell who were the PSers leaving feedback, as I would give their comments far more credence

 

[Arkteia]

What one can do is just check the buyer leaving the negative comment. If the buyer gets good ratings or gives reasonably good feedback to other sellers, then you can give him credence. I had to do it a couple of times because of the way the seller responded to comments ("Irresponsible buyer! Sellers beware!"). And true, there are some hypercritical people but most of buyers are pretty reasonable. I am trying not to give negative feedback unless someone sells total fake without disclosure because many people make their living on ebay but I do not go over the top if I don't like the stone, either.

 

[minousbijoux]

Update:

I just got my two tanzanites from Royal g_ms us: another vendor to write off !- vendors pics:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310246747614&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310245445189&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT (I hope they work)

stones are pale, insipid, and windowed. I have emailed and am waiting to hear back.