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- Apr 6, 2005
- Messages
- 12,705
Can you ask the vendor about any known treatments? You might want to just double check that there’s nothing they explicitly know about (of course treatments that the vendor isn’t aware of is always possible)
These drop shapes, they’re cheap. So that 6k price tag is coming from somewhere… The colour would be a reasonable explanation…
Typically, nothing!! What @pearlsngems said is my understanding too. For me the cost is actually comforting - this shape is cheap, the pearls aren’t humungous, so _something_ is creating that pricetag! I fully expect the answer on treatment to be “nothing”, but it doesn’t hurt to have that in writing from the vendor. Just in case dye or radiation is identified in some of the pearls.
Again, I don’t think that’s the case! But having your vendor’s best knowledge in writing never hurts.
Personally I would send it straight to GIA. It’s unique enough to merit a report and that’ll be an authoritative assessment for treatments as well. PayPal allows 180 days to file I believe, plenty of time even if GIA is having a molasses month.
Seller confirms no treatment of any kind.
Bought it!
Will report back when I get it!
1. Any tips re customs re items coming from China? It will be shipping via FedEx
2. Any tips on sending pearls to GIA? Would love it if someone can walk me through the process!
Oh how exciting! I can't wait for you to get them. They look absolutely gorgeous so I'm crossing my fingers that that remains true when you get them. I've had a couple pieces from Annie Case come from China via Fedex and had no issues at all.
HI:
Oh for sure post toilet pictures--the story wouldn't be the same without them! Not something you see, here, ever! It made my day!
cheers--Sharon
Thank you! Glad to hear FedEx went well for you—I’ve not bought overseas from China before, can you let me know a little more re the process?
1. do you need to give vendor any additional info (SSN, etc) other than address and phone number, and if so, how do you give that to them in an encrypted manner? This vendor did not ask for anything other than my phone number and home address.
2. Does fedex call you and ask you to pay customs fee before they will release the item to you? What is the ballpark customs fee if you don’t mind me asking (5–10% of total price?)
My experience with international imports using FedEx: You do not need to give the vendor any information other than address, phone number, and email for importing! FedEx will handle bringing it through customs and will contact you to pay the fees.
The biggest thing is the seller must be honest about what is in the package and indicate the value correctly. Hopefully that goes OK.
I have never given any extra information nor was I contacted to pay any custom fees. It was just like any purchase I have made in the states.
Ps. The strand from general pearl was somewhere in the 4500-5000 range (I can't remember exactly) and I was charged ~$45 from customs. Maybe a bit more because I accidentally let it sit unpaid because I was planning my wedding and forgot about it. But it was a very small amount
Thank you! Oh boy, I hope the vendor lists the item truthfully and correctly. What happens if they don’t? Does customs boot the item back to vendor? Or does customs come after me in some way even though I’m not involved (I have no idea how the vendor will declare/insure the package—is this something I need to ask vendor about?)