In Singapore. Problems from Online Sales from the States?

[DNA_Cyan]

I'm located in Singapore, and have some concerns with buying a diamond online from the States.

Is there anyone from Singapore that has purchased a diamond online?

I suppose I wouldn't be in such a dilemma if I was in North America because it would be alot easier to trace a package and to sort problems out.

I have thought of the possibilities from best to worst case scenarios:

true sale - good transaction - good delivery - clears customs
true sale - good transaction - good delivery - does not clear customs
true sale - good transaction - bad delivery
true sale - bad transaction
fake sale with all the above.

my main concern is actually, whats to stop a seller from switching stones since I'm half a world away? Even if I get it sent to an appraiser first, the seller can still switch stones once he gets it back.

my main concern is, when i get a fake, the seller would probably be the one accusing that I was the one that switched the stone.

Sorry if I am a little bit paranoid here, but I am throwing down a few thousand dollars, and its a major portion of my savings if not all.

So, is the only option here based on trust and hope I do not get screwed?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Buy it with a credit card and you've got no problem.

 

[DNA_Cyan]

how does that work if the seller insists that he did in fact ship out a legit diamond??