OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or return?

[elliemay]

It's time for another episode of "TELL ELLIEMAY WHAT TO DO WITH HER EBAY PURCHASE!"

Here's this week's contender: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390398192009?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Here's what I was thinking when I bought it:

• *would be nice to pull the stones out and make a three stone ring

• *not interested in the setting -- will sell that for scrap

• *liking that the centre stone has a bit of colour to it

• *hmmm...that centre stone isn't an OEC...maybe a trannie?...hard to tell really...maybe it just needs a good clean?

*1.3 carats for 600 bucks? Okay!

It arrived yesterday afternoon and I'm 100% not sure what to do...... (pics to follow)











































.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Here she is:



My immediate thoughts were:

*nope, that centre stone isn't an OEC or a trannie
*oh, but the sides are OECs...a little wonky, but that's part of their charm, right?
*hmm...the centre stone is a bit dark, isn't it?
*ooh, I'll get good finger coverage, though!
*1.3 carats for $600? Okay!
*damn, I need a manicure!

Then I louped it:



And thought:

*oh yes, I do quite like the colour of the centre stone!
*but wait, it's supposed to be be bead-set. Where are the beads on that centre stone? Hmm. I guess there was once a lovely .75 carat OEC in there, but someone's pulled that out and stuck this stone in.

And then I took a closer look and saw this:



There's a big ol' hunk missing from that OEC!

Blargh!

(more to come)

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

The original plan was to have the stones bezel-set, so the missing hunk isn't ideal, but not an insurmountable problem. I press on.

And see the little gouges (naturals?) on the right stone. And the big grey thing on the left stone. I'm not so bothered by the spots on the right stone, but the grey thing on the left stone seems to go to the surface -- there's a scratch visible on the surface of the stone that follows the contours of that grey thing. Is this a feather? A bad feather?



I move to the bathroom to get better light.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I notice that the centre stone has a pleasing pinky brown colour, now that I can see it in brighter light.



Then this happens.



Guess they really DID forget the beads in that whole bead-set deal!

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Now at this point I'm just laughing at myself because I already know I'm going to have to do this big ol PS thread asking y'all what I should do (and shaking a little, because that diamond fell out on the shelf right above my bathroom sink, which I had NOT plugged since I'd only just put the ring down!).

After I calm down, I realise that I adore the pinky peachy browny colour of the stone now that it's loose (next to my M for contrast).







So. I guess I need some advice. I'm really torn on this as I love the centre stone and all of the stones are eye clean. However, all three stones are described as Old Euro cuts in the description and the centre stone clearly isn't. Plus, the damage to the chipped side stone wasn't disclosed -- all stones were described as being "intact and look(ing) fine". The listing says no returns, but I can get around that easily as the item isn't as described.

I would like to keep the centre stone and the OECs *IF* the "feather" on the OEC doesn't pose a structural risk. I would however, be asking for a discount from the seller in light of the damage to the stone and misrepresentation of the centre stone as an OEC. Does this sound reasonable? All things considered, was $600 way too much to pay for these stones?

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I've totally messed up my left and right in my earlier posts -- the gouges/naturals are on the LEFT stone and the big grey thing is on the RIGHT stone. Duh.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

This is the best sat am thread EVER!!! I love all you 'Then I thought... THen I see... Then this happened..."

Overall, your investment was pretty minimal - $600-ish US. You do like the centre stone, the sides - myeh...nothing to write home about, the setting - is kind of cool once the fret work in the mount was repaired - if you had other CS stones, they would be perfect to be mounted in there... just as a thought.

If you kept it - it seems as tho the centre stone is the one that you prefer - what would you do with it and is it worth it to you to do 'whatever' to that 1 stone, for what cost?

I know you can return it as it was DEF not what was represented, so would that make you feel better or worse?

If you keep it - there is more money to be spent getting it up to speed (Setting the centre, possibly the sides, if you don't scrap the setting - repair and reset). If you send it back, you're back on the hunt and in the game again!

If you keep - I'd haggle down by another $100 or so - it saves them reposting as it was NOT what was listed.

Which direction are you leaning??

 

[makemepretty]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I think if you don't love the ring, just return it and get your money back due to the diamond falling out(not because of any of the other reasons, it does state the middle diamond is colored lower and the sides are I1, we know what that means and that alone would have kept me from purchasing this ring). A good deal is only a good deal if it's something you love, honestly. I think people on this board are getting a little picky/greedy lately and don't quite realize ebay is just basically a big garage sale. No one seems to want to return items to the seller, they want to keep them with a discount. It's becoming a pet peeve of mine. ***Not you- but it seems almost like I'm seeing people buy something in hopes it'll be slightly off the description so that they then have bargaining power to get an even better deal.

Don't get me wrong, an item should be described correctly but if they're not, return them and put it in the feedback so the next buyer doesn't end up in your situation. I saw three different buyers on this board for one diamond that kept getting returned but the feedback didn't show that it was off in color and that's why. The seller of this ring you bought had 36 negatives in a year. So, you knew the chances it wasn't going to be perfect were pretty high. That's just my little ol' opinion, not angry at you so if this comes off in the wrong tone, I apologize. I honestly don't mean it to but I've seen a version of this thread more often than not so many times lately. On a diamond board, we know better.

I'm sure it's just me, I never haggle. I buy on Craigslist at asking price.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

This is the best sat am thread EVER!!! I love all you 'Then I thought... THen I see... Then this happened..."

Overall, your investment was pretty minimal - $600-ish US. You do like the centre stone, the sides - myeh...nothing to write home about, the setting - is kind of cool once the fret work in the mount was repaired - if you had other CS stones, they would be perfect to be mounted in there... just as a thought.

If you kept it - it seems as tho the centre stone is the one that you prefer - what would you do with it and is it worth it to you to do 'whatever' to that 1 stone, for what cost?

I know you can return it as it was DEF not what was represented, so would that make you feel better or worse?

If you keep it - there is more money to be spent getting it up to speed (Setting the centre, possibly the sides, if you don't scrap the setting - repair and reset). If you send it back, you're back on the hunt and in the game again!

If you keep - I'd haggle down by another $100 or so - it saves them reposting as it was NOT what was listed.

Which direction are you leaning??

Hee hee! Glad I provided some entertainment this morning!

I'm honestly on the fence about this one. I'd like to keep the stones with two caveats - 1) the seller gives me some money back because the centre stone isn't an old cut at all and 2) the feather on one of the OECs doesn't pose a risk.

If I did keep the stones, I'd scrap the setting (not interested in it at all) and mount the stones in a three-stone setting. Something white gold with milgrain and etching and maybe a little rose gold to play up the colour of the centre stone?

There's no hurry and this was just a fun project, so I'm not totally bothered either way. I think I need to think about it a bit more!

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I think if you don't love the ring, just return it and get your money back due to the diamond falling out(not because of any of the other reasons, it does state the middle diamond is colored lower and the sides are I1, we know what that means and that alone would have kept me from purchasing this ring).

I have no problem with the centre stone being a lower colour -- that's what I wanted -- and no problem with the clarity of any of the stones. My problem with the centre stone is the cut and the problem with the one side stone is the big chunk that's been knocked off the side and I'm worried about what I'm assuming is a surface-reaching feather.

A good deal is only a good deal if it's something you love, honestly. I think people on this board are getting a little picky/greedy lately and don't quite realize ebay is just basically a big garage sale. No one seems to want to return items to the seller, they want to keep them with a discount. It's becoming a pet peeve of mine. ***Not you- but it seems almost like I'm seeing people buy something in hopes it'll be slightly off the description so that they then have bargaining power to get an even better deal.

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think is one of those cases. I didn't buy this with the hopes that I would be able to get a discount at all. I bought what I thought were 3 old cuts in decent condition. I received a MRB and 2 old cuts, one of which has a big chunk missing and a possible surface-reaching feather. I like the MRB (in spite of myself!) and would like to try to find a middle ground with the seller which would result in both of us benefiting.

Don't get me wrong, an item should be described correctly but if they're not, return them and put it in the feedback so the next buyer doesn't end up in your situation. I saw three different buyers on this board for one diamond that kept getting returned but the feedback didn't show that it was off in color and that's why. The seller of this ring you bought had 36 negatives in a year. So, you knew the chances it wasn't going to be perfect were pretty high. That's just my little ol' opinion, not angry at you so if this comes off in the wrong tone, I apologize. I honestly don't mean it to but I've seen a version of this thread more often than not so many times lately. On a diamond board, we know better.

I'm sure it's just me, I never haggle. I buy on Craigslist at asking price.

I saw and noted the negative feedbacks, but with a feedback rating totalling nearly 77,000 , I weighed up the odds and took the chance.

Ultimately, I received a ring with a replaced centre stone that isn't what what described and hadn't even been set in the ring (!), one OEC with the lowest crown I've ever seen, and another OEC with a big chunk missing. I think the fact that I'm even questioning whether to return the ring is a testament to the fact that I'm not "greedy" or just trying to pull a fast one on the seller.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

You sound very rational in your thought process. You knew what you were getting into (pretty much with the intent of getting the centre stone mainly), so I think keeping it with the request for a price reduction, sounds totally reasonable. You aren't trying to 'pull a fast one' as you say, and you love your main stone - go for it! enjoy! Sounds like a cool project - especially love the idea of the RG in the centre to enhance the warmer/peachier tones of that stone.

Fun!!!

 

[InnaR]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I wanted to start with the "The middle stone doesn't look like old stone at all", but i think you allready noticed that. I would return.

 

[distracts]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Then this happens.



Guess they really DID forget the beads in that whole bead-set deal!

OMG LOLOLOLOL. I am so sorry, this is probably not funny to you but omg! It just fell right out!

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Then this happens.



Guess they really DID forget the beads in that whole bead-set deal!

OMG LOLOLOLOL. I am so sorry, this is probably not funny to you but omg! It just fell right out!

I definitely think it's hilarious! I sat the ring down, leaned over to pick up my camera, and heard a little "ting!, only to look down in the bathroom sink and see the diamond just sitting there. Thank goodness the sink was wet -- a few drops of water clung to the diamond and saved the day!

I totally get them pulling what was probably a fantastic OEC out and replacing it with another stone, but I sorta kinda think that maybe they should have actually set that new stone. I mean, seriously, there were literally NO BEADS OF METAL holding that new stone in!

 

[Circe]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I'd return it - the setting is the best part of the whole thing in terms of condition, and it's also the bit you have the least interest in. For that money, you can get at least ONE old cut in decent condition, I guarantee it ....

 

[LibbyLA]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

elliemay,

I'd return it. There's just so much about it that isn't as described and isn't what you thought you were buying. Put the money toward something that's closer to what you want.

liz

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

It's going back. I contacted the seller and received a snotty response. Oh well!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Good decision! I didn't think any of the stones were worth reusing.

 

[Laila619]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

It's going back. I contacted the seller and received a snotty response. Oh well!

Yeah, you'll find something better!

I was LOLing at your original post, too.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

It's going back. I contacted the seller and received a snotty response. Oh well!

Yeah, you'll find something better!

I was LOLing at your original post, too.

Me too. Great thread! Love it!

Good decision too. I would have sent it back as well.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Yeah I would send it back too. In the listing photo the center stone really did look like an MRB.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Opened an eBay claim and sent the ring back to the seller. They received it Thursday and have escalated my claim back to eBay, saying that I returned the ring in damaged condition -- saying that the prongs around the centre stone had been scooped out by me! They say they've had the ring evaluated by a goldsmith, who says that the prongs visible in the listing have been cut away. Um, yes, I know that -- it's ONE of the reasons I returned the ring!

These are images from the listing. Anyone see any prongs whatsoever holding in that centre stone?????

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/hessfineart/cf0308kk2.JPG
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/hessfineart/cf0308kk57.JPG
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/hessfineart/cf0308kk10.JPG

Just bumping this in case anyone else has the misfortune of wanting to purchase anything from this seller in the future in the future.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Can you send the link to this thread to the mods at eBay who are dealing with your claim? as proof that it was damaged when it arrived? (that funny start to the thread... first this, then this, then THIS! - oh that was a kicker!)

Good luck elliemay - clearly it was damaged/altered when you got it. I hope it ends well for you.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

There don't seem to be prongs in any of those photos you posted! Was it glued in?

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Can you send the link to this thread to the mods at eBay who are dealing with your claim? as proof that it was damaged when it arrived? (that funny start to the thread... first this, then this, then THIS! - oh that was a kicker!)

Good luck elliemay - clearly it was damaged/altered when you got it. I hope it ends well for you.

I can't seem to update the case directly as it's back in eBay's hands, but I've called them and confirmed that they'll go through all the messages the seller and I have sent each other, so I included a link to this thread in my last message.

I can't believe how crooked these sellers are!

There don't seem to be prongs in any of those photos you posted! Was it glued in?

Glue? Glue would've been a blessing! There was nothing more than sheer luck holding that stone in!

 

[Enerchi]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Can you send the link to this thread to the mods at eBay who are dealing with your claim? as proof that it was damaged when it arrived? (that funny start to the thread... first this, then this, then THIS! - oh that was a kicker!)

Good luck elliemay - clearly it was damaged/altered when you got it. I hope it ends well for you.

I can't seem to update the case directly as it's back in eBay's hands, but I've called them and confirmed that they'll go through all the messages the seller and I have sent each other, so I included a link to this thread in my last message.

I can't believe how crooked these sellers are!

There don't seem to be prongs in any of those photos you posted! Was it glued in?

Glue? Glue would've been a blessing! There was nothing more than sheer luck holding that stone in!

Yeah, you found a lovely crooked seller, that's for sure. Such a rip off. Inherently, we all trust that what is shown and detailed, is the truth and we take it at face value, even with a series of questions back and forth. Sadly there are people who do not have the scruples of 'normal' humans.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

I'm so grateful that PS has taught me to take detailed pictures of every single item of jewelry I buy! Hopefully this thread along with the other photos I included when I first opened the case will tell the story.

 

[ruby59]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

OP,did you neg this seller? If not, apparently someone else on the 27th posted that it was not the original diamond, one fell out and one was damaged.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

OP,did you neg this seller? If not, apparently someone else on the 27th posted that it was not the original diamond, one fell out and one was damaged.

Yep, that's my negative.

 

[elliemay]

Re: OEC three stone ring from eBay -- keep, haggle, or retur

Now I do The Dance of Joy!

Two really helpful people at eBay (one on the phone and one via online chat) have sorted it all out and I've been fully refunded! They refunded the $83 I paid in shipping, too (which was insane, considering I only paid something like $15 to send it back, fully tracked and insured!).

Very impressed with eBay's customer service -- I expected this to drag on for a couple of days, but they fixed it in a couple of hours!

Y'all, STAY AWAY from Hess Fine Auctions -- I'm willing to bet there's a story just like mine behind every one of their negatives and neutrals!