Ebay Seller, need some help!

[patrick40newyork]

Hi, I am new to the forum! I was hoping to have some opinions on the subject. I am in the process of buying my girl friend a engagment ring, I went shopping in NYC''s diamond district, and it reminded me of a flea market, people pushing H-I diamonds, I did not like it at all, most places looked dirty and old.

I then turned my attention to online, Ebay to be exact. I had a few things going in to it:

1. The Seller had to be a legit business (with a good rating from the better business bureau)

2. A retail store

3. nothing but 100% feedback.

SO, I started showing my girl friend lots of settings from all over the place, online, stores etc.. so she would not know what I am up to. After a while, I found one store called "forever 26 diamonds" when I googled them, the retail store number matched what was on the Ebay store (then I looked at the store with the map view) I called and talked to owner for awhile, he told me he had 1.5 round diamond G si1 he could sell me with the setting for $4,250 dollars, way way way below market value, luckly my landl lord is a jewler, she told me once I get it, she can have it apprased for me, the ring is coming with one but, I want to bring it to my own place.

The store owner did tell me the diamonds were uncertified, that means lots of things .. could be old diamonds .. etc So, I had him send me the setting and diamond seperate, I figure let my land lords store look at it, If i am not happy with it I can send it back within 15 days.

 

[denverappraiser]

Hi Patrick,

So what’s your question?


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[patrick40newyork]

I know most of you are very knowledgeable, I would like your feed back, was this a wise decision? The way I went about it.

 

[denverappraiser]

I have two recommendations. First, look into the ‘lots of things’ that are implied by a store that chooses to sell their stones without recognized lab grading. I agree that there are several explanations, and most of them aren’t in your best interest. Second, I would dig a bit into the decision to use some worker at your landlords store as your own way of evaluating the deal. I don’t know anything about this person and how they grade but there’s a remarkable dearth of well qualified independent appraisers out there and it would sure be a coincidence if you happen to share a building with one. Merely working in or even owning a jewelry store does not make them a qualified grader and merely being a qualified grader does not make them a capable adviser in your situation.


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[TripleG]

HI,
I am not a diamond buyer expert. I have just recently became very interested after my soon to be Fiance was picking rings out since last year and finally brought me in on it and taught me many things I had never known about.

That being said, we went with a diamond from Blue Nile for a variety of reasons. One good thing I find is its very easy to use them as a guide when buying diamonds.

Anyways, I did a quick search and found on their website and they have a 1.51 ct, round, G, SI1, VG, VG. Table and Depth arent great, but thats where the cheaper price comes in as well.

They have it for about 8500. So I think based on what the ebayer is selling you on paper looks like a good deal, if the comparisons are equal. I would be weary because of why would they be offering it half off. Could have inclusions inside or be one of those "leopard diamonds" as someone on PS once mentioned they saw on ebay lol.

As long as they have a return policy now that you bought it, then you should be fine to return it.

Good luck!

 

[filschaos]

Have you considered having him get the stone graded through AGS or GIA, and agreeing to pay the extra cost if it is what he says it is? I do not believe it is that much more, expecially on a 4k purchase. If he is against the idea, then ask yourself why?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 8/5/2009 2:42:56 PM
Author:patrick40newyork

SO, I started showing my girl friend lots of settings from all over the place, online, stores etc.. so she would not know what I am up to. After a while, I found one store called ''forever 26 diamonds'' when I googled them, the retail store number matched what was on the Ebay store (then I looked at the store with the map view) I called and talked to owner for awhile, he told me he had 1.5 round diamond G si1 he could sell me with the setting for $4,250 dollars, way way way below market value, luckly my landl lord is a jewler, she told me once I get it, she can have it apprased for me, the ring is coming with one but, I want to bring it to my own place.

The store owner did tell me the diamonds were uncertified, that means lots of things .. could be old diamonds .. etc So, I had him send me the setting and diamond seperate, I figure let my land lords store look at it, If i am not happy with it I can send it back within 15 days.

don''t be a dreamer. nobody would sell a $9000 stone for $4k.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 8/5/2009 5:53:57 PM
Author: filschaos
Have you considered having him get the stone graded through AGS or GIA, and agreeing to pay the extra cost if it is what he says it is? I do not believe it is that much more, expecially on a 4k purchase. If he is against the idea, then ask yourself why?

i''ll tell you why,cuz it ain''t no G SI1

 

[Vancity]

I sure hope the stone in question isn''t Lopsy Fug''s evil twin

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 8/5/2009 6:08:45 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 8/5/2009 5:53:57 PM

Author: filschaos

Have you considered having him get the stone graded through AGS or GIA, and agreeing to pay the extra cost if it is what he says it is? I do not believe it is that much more, expecially on a 4k purchase. If he is against the idea, then ask yourself why?

i''ll tell you why,cuz it ain''t no G SI1

DITTO.

 

[treefrog]

Hi Patrick,

So $4250 for a 1.5 G SI1 *WITH* the setting? Do you know what metal is used in the setting? Please don''t say platinum.

There is nothing wrong with H-I diamonds as a whole so that''s not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe you gave them your budget and that''s why they were pushing H and I''s. I bought an H and it is spectacular! Thanks to the help of many on here.

All the comments above are spot on. Without a report, you are depending on and trusting this person to tell you what it is. I highly doubt he/she has the credentials to do that. I''m sure you work hard for your money and I encourage you to proceed with extreme caution. It''s highly unlikely to be anywhere near a 1.5 G SI1.

I realize you want to get the most bang for your buck but there are benefits of going other routes that you may appreciate down the road... such as a solid reputation, buyback policies, upgrade policies, having a matching report, etc.

Please keep us posted and please feel free to come back and say "Ok, that was a bad deal. Here''s what I have to spend and carat (or cut or color or clarity) is most important to me. Please help me find a great diamond from a reputable vendor." You will find the people here very, very helpful.

Treefrog

 

[D&T]

if a deal looks too good to be true...it sometimes is, but maybe you might be one of those lucky one who bought a second/third hand diamond. I hope this person has a return policy, and if I were you after getting the ring, I would go straight to an independent appraiser asap