Preloved pieces: Diamond Bistro Vs Ebay - Where to list?

[HopeDream]

Hello, I want to list a piece or two in the preloved section, but I'm unsure as to where to put the original listing. What are the pros and cons of listing on Diamond Bistro vs Ebay - is one more trusted?

Thanks for any information you have.

 

[ruby59]

If you are a newbie and it is a high ticketed piece of jewelry, I would be very careful about listing it on ebay. You would be a scam magnet. If you do decide to list, read the sellers board first to try and arm yourself as much as possible.

 

[MissStepcut]

The nice thing about DB is, there's no listing charge. Also, you can feel someone out a bit more for references and stuff before you do business with them.

I've never sold anything on either, fwiw. This is just my opinion as a buyer.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The definite advantage to you on db is that you don't have to pay ebay fees. The advantage to buyers on ebay is that they can judge the safety of buying from you by your feedback. However, those who have been on PS for awhile should be able to sell to fellow PSer's on DB failry safely. I would try db for a couple of weeks and then go to ebay if there are no offers from people here.

 

[mrs taylor]

The definite advantage to you on db is that you don't have to pay ebay fees. The advantage to buyers on ebay is that they can judge the safety of buying from you by your feedback. However, those who have been on PS for awhile should be able to sell to fellow PSer's on DB failry safely. I would try db for a couple of weeks and then go to ebay if there are no offers from people here.

this. I'm not on ebay, but I've bought and sold on the bistro for years with great success. I love that there is no listing fee, and the traffic is a captive audience. People on the bistro are generally well informed and there looking for jewelry. Ebay feels too big and scary to me. I check people through jewelry boards-here and others-for feedback and have never had a problem. I'd start there and then only move to ebay if you're getting no bites.

 

[makemepretty]

Ebay does charge a lot of fees, then Paypal takes their cut. Plus you get more weird e-mails from ebay. Diamondbistro is free and then you only have your paypal fees. Ebay you get more views but that doesn't always mean it'll sell. I list on the bistro first and if after awhile I don't sell my item, then I head to ebay.

I do find if you are going to list a jewelry item, the bistro people know their stuff so you better have it handy when listing. I had a pair of earrings for sale but I did not think they'd make good side stones to a person who knows their diamonds. They were fine for earrings though. I actually refused to sell them to a person who wanted to use them as engagement ring stones. I'm super picky and I hate when sellers aren't 100 percent honest. I'd rather not sell than have an unhappy buyer. I sold the earrings on ebay and the lady LOVED them. As a PSer, I knew they weren't as eye clean as they could be to my eagle eyes. My best stuff goes on the bistro because I know it will be appreciated.

 

[Amys Bling]

The definite advantage to you on db is that you don't have to pay ebay fees. The advantage to buyers on ebay is that they can judge the safety of buying from you by your feedback. However, those who have been on PS for awhile should be able to sell to fellow PSer's on DB failry safely. I would try db for a couple of weeks and then go to ebay if there are no offers from people here.

Agreed. I used to sell on eBay only but now I'm finding DB to be easy and painless- and without the fees.

 

[Asu]

I've listed my platinum band on both sites,and to be honest ebay offer so much more exposure.While I love that on DB I have the chance to sell to someone on a board I am on,so I would be able to see my old pieces being worn and loved by the people who buy them,ebay is just bigger and faster.On ebay I sold a ring I've listed on the bistro about 5 times in a single week.I know ebay is scammers paradise,so I'm always cautios,but if I sell something is because I need the money,and the faster the better,honestly.My band is a weird size,so it's already difficult for it to go even on ebay,on the bistro it would take probably years.So I'm all for both,in different ways.

 

[ruby59]

Interesting topic because as much as I dislike ebay because of the fees, scams, and non protection for sellers, I was under the impression that the Bistro had limited traffic. But with ebay, many of the jewelry categories are saturated and the way searches are conducted, small sellers are way at the bottom. Small sellers are complaining that very few people are looking at their auctions. With the bistro, there are very few diamond items to have to compete with.

I will probably do the opposite and if items do not sell on ebay, I will try the Bistro.

 

[Rhea]

I prefer to buy on DB than to ebay. I think sometimes things take a bit longer to sell, but the lack o fees and getting feel out either the buyer or seller is a huge benefit.

 

[Gypsy]

I think that if you want to start the price low and see if you get bids up try ebay. If you have patience and a good price try DB.

 

[HopeDream]

Thank you ruby59, MissStepcut, diamondseeker2006, mrs. taylor, makemepretty, Amys Bling, Asu, Addy, and Gypsy for your thoughts and experiences.

Hmm pros and cons on both sides! I might try DB to start, because it's free.

How do you figure out the shipping cost/best shipping method? I've taken a bunch of photos, but haven't listed due to shipping uncertainty. I'm in Canada and will probably ship to the states.

Do you include the shipping cost (free shipping) or tack it on as extra?

 

[Gypsy]

Depends on the piece, if it's really pricey and you are breaking even or making a profit you can eat reasonable shipping. If it's one you are taking a loss on, then have the buyer pay for shipping. Well, that's my feeling anyway.

 

[mrs taylor]

I always include shipping in the price. Always. It's odd but people seem to feel good when they get "free shipping!" I always insure and track. If it's over $200 I get signature confirmation. I just assume it's going to be about $8 because I use the flat rate box, insurance, tracking and signature confirmation.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Depends on the piece, if it's really pricey and you are breaking even or making a profit you can eat reasonable shipping. If it's one you are taking a loss on, then have the buyer pay for shipping. Well, that's my feeling anyway.

Yeah, you know the deal is it is difficult to predict how much an item will cost to ship. I've sold a lot of stuff on Amazon and they set a standard credit for various items, so sometimes I "profit" by like $1.00 but most of the time I LOSE $ on the shipping because they will give me a $3.99 credit and on an item that costs at least that much to ship, plus needs insurance and signature (due to cost of items - anything over $100, I require signature). A couple items I sold in Dec., I paid almost $10 of my profit to cover all the extras. One lady actually had the nerve to ask me to send it expedited but when I told her it'd cost more than she paid, she ignored my message.

For eBay and DB, the best thing to do is overestimate. You take the farthest possible place you'd ship (I look at the East Coast coast price and I only ship inside the US) and then make that the shipping price (this is for eBay where I can pick the amount). I've never found that I've "made money" on shipping. Once a buyer sent me a check for $10 after realizing that I had spent my own money to send them their item, but the rest of the time, people do not care. They are happy they got the better end of the deal! Protect yourself if you can!!!

 

[HopeDream]

Hmm Canadian postal rates have a wicked curve!

If I sent an item as lettermail with signature it starts at $16.45 CAD ( no insurance) and goes up to $37.01CAD for shipping as a registered, insured parcel to the US, and up to 70.55 CAD for sending as a registered, insured parcel to Australia/ any non-us international destination. (plus 12 % tax on everything)

Should I fold the shipping cost in to the list price or bill it separately?

I hope to break even, but I'm not sure that that will be the case. I'd be happy to absorb it if it was less than $10.

Any Wrapping tips? Is there a standard packaging protocol for small enveloped items?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hmm Canadian postal rates have a wicked curve!

If I sent an item as lettermail with signature it starts at $16.45 CAD ( no insurance) and goes up to $37.01CAD for shipping as a registered, insured parcel to the US, and up to 70.55 CAD for sending as a registered, insured parcel to Australia/ any non-us international destination. (plus 12 % tax on everything)

Should I fold the shipping cost in to the list price or bill it separately?

I hope to break even, but I'm not sure that that will be the case. I'd be happy to absorb it if it was less than $10.

Any Wrapping tips? Is there a standard packaging protocol for small enveloped items?

How thick is the envelope? Here in the US, anything over 3/4" thick is considered a package and no longer is envelope rate, so you may be better off going with a small box if the item is of value or delicate. I buy padded envelopes and then wrap the item in bubble wrap. I don't send registered, though, just standard insurance with signature required. If the buyer isn't home, the package goes to the post office and the buyer can pick it up there.

For your listing, you could say, CA and US insurance is included in price and if a buyer is outside either of those two locations, additional shipping will be split, or something like that.

 

[winternight]

I've been wondering this as well. I actually have some 22ct gold pieces more Middle Eastern style to sell and I have no idea where to go. Maybe I just need to find a local place that sells something similar.

So for branded pieces, such as Tiffanys, where do people recommend?

 

[mrs taylor]

I've been wondering this as well. I actually have some 22ct gold pieces more Middle Eastern style to sell and I have no idea where to go. Maybe I just need to find a local place that sells something similar.

So for branded pieces, such as Tiffanys, where do people recommend?

please show us the high carat stuff so we can have dibs!!! PLEASE!

 

[smartdriver]

Usually what I see on other forums if its a more specialty/ higher priced(5k+)that people will try to sell items to other knowledgeable people first(on the forum)because you actually weed out the dishonest buyer and other members on the forum help you and PS members actually appreciate those rare items.
If you have a general item for sale, then probably eBay would be best way to go because it's more sought after by many and will sell super fast.
I've never sold or bought jewelry online in general( I'm new) but I've been on eBay since 1999 and they have so much fees and listing options that could be overwhelming for some people. I would include shipping in the price of your item, it's just makes it simpler.

 

[dani13]

Can I ask a stupid question? I have never sold anything on Ebay or DB before, but would like to.

How do you get paid for your item? I have a PayPal account, but don't know how it works. Can someone explain this to me? And how do I avoid getting scammed?