Selling jewelry on CL. (need advice)

[MichelleCarmen]

Okay, so I have some jewelry up on CL. I was going to do ebay but decided I didn''t want to risk having anything get lost in the mail and all those details. So, right now, I have one item on CL.

The problem I''m encountering is many people are responding to the ad, but after a few emails, I never hear from them again. Right now, I have five or six messages sitting there and I''m wondering, do I just reply to them all saying what I have is still available?

If anyone ever does want to meet in person, would I meet them at a jewelry store so the diamonds can be authenticated? Should I ask that they let me hold onto the cash while the diamonds are looked at so I don''t have to worry about the person then insisiting the jewelry is theirs and then refuse to give the box back to me (really, why would an employee in a jewelry store get involved if there is a scuffle)?

Thanks for any help on this one.

 

[that_someone_special]

I would meet them at a jewelry store. You, PERSONALLY hand the box to the jeweler to be tested and say, "Can you test these to show Mr. X here that they are, indeed, real stones? He is looking to purchase them from me... thanks!"

After you get the cash and they leave, I would stay in the store a bit and look around (because I''m paranoid) and then make sure no one follows you home.

It also helps if you bring a big beefy guy with you too

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:54:26 PM
Author: swedish bean
I would meet them at a jewelry store. You, PERSONALLY hand the box to the jeweler to be tested and say, 'Can you test these to show Mr. X here that they are, indeed, real stones? He is looking to purchase them from me... thanks!'

After you get the cash and they leave, I would stay in the store a bit and look around (because I'm paranoid) and then make sure no one follows you home.

It also helps if you bring a big beefy guy with you too

Yeah, I am going to bring my DH. Only problem is to do that, we'll have to bring the kids too! I'll be sure to shop around a bit after. My husband won't like that. "What's the point of selling jewelry if we're not using the cash for something we NEED?"

Ugh, husbands.

 

[sctsbride09]

Ive bought jewelry off CL before, and what we did was have the seller meet us at the mall, and we both went into the jewelry store to have them tested. Make sure you bring Dh with you, some of those people can be very, um, interesting. Do not let them take your jewelry into the store alone, if they are legit they should have no reason to have a problem with you being present. Good luck and be safe!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:57:44 PM
Author: sctsbride09
Ive bought jewelry off CL before, and what we did was have the seller meet us at the mall, and we both went into the jewelry store to have them tested. Make sure you bring Dh with you, some of those people can be very, um, interesting. Do not let them take your jewelry into the store alone, if they are legit they should have no reason to have a problem with you being present. Good luck and be safe!

Thanks. I am planning to take off all my jewelry before going in and not wearing nice clothes so there is less chance of anything weird happening.

I''m not going to respond to any of the "do u have ur diamond earrings still?" "Text me if u do."

 

[that_someone_special]

"But isn''t me looking and feeling great a NEED? So I NEED jewelry!"

It''s really hard to sell anything on CL right now. I have an item up (non-jewelry) that was $160 brand new and used for mere seconds of it''s lifespan (years) and I''m trying to sell it for $80... pretty much everyone messages me with a sob story and how they only have $20/$40/$50 to spend and can I please just give it to them.

lol

So good luck!

 

[~*Alexis*~]

eh...husbands never understand the need to look sparkly just like we don''t understand the need to watch every single sports game while they drink beers and yell at the television...

As far as the sale, I would take it to a jeweler and meet him there.....

 

[Upgradable]

Have you tried DB? You can often keep things in the "sparkly family" and you can get recommendations from others. I''ve been listing for over 2 years and have not had a bad experience.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:54:04 PM
Author: Upgradable
Have you tried DB? You can often keep things in the ''sparkly family'' and you can get recommendations from others. I''ve been listing for over 2 years and have not had a bad experience.

I''ve looked on there and same as with eBay, I worry about sending stuff through the mail. Guess there are risks associated with both methods of listing.

One guy mailed saying he has "CASH on hand," which sounds suspicious, like a scam. . .I did google him though (lol) and his name pops up in a city by me.

 

[Indylady]

I agree that sending expensive items through the mail can be scary, but with tracking and insurance its a lot safer. I''ve never had any problems with it (though of course I have heard a few horror stories). How about posting in on DB/Ebay just for feelers and mentioning that you''d specifically prefer someone near you that you could personally hand the piece to? Its worth a shot, and DB is free so all you''d waste is 15 minutes posting it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 2/5/2010 5:56:23 PM
Author: IndyLady
I agree that sending expensive items through the mail can be scary, but with tracking and insurance its a lot safer. I''ve never had any problems with it (though of course I have heard a few horror stories). How about posting in on DB/Ebay just for feelers and mentioning that you''d specifically prefer someone near you that you could personally hand the piece to? Its worth a shot, and DB is free so all you''d waste is 15 minutes posting it.

I was just reading a post over on RT about a person having a guy try and (possibly) rob a diamond! Crazy.

Someone who I responded to now emailed me back asking about new ipod video that just came out!

Maybe I should put the earrings back on eBay but increase the shipping cost to cover the tracking/shipping. . .or just keep them. I don''t have to sell them, it''s just that if I did, I can spend the $ on my pendant that I''m going to get. (Otherwise I won''t have as big of a budget.)

 

[katamari]

Do they not have an upgrade policy that would allow you to trade them in for your pendant?

Isn''t that the first rule of PS, MC?

I think DB is your best bet, just because the people there understand the cost of diamonds and appreciate good ones. CL and ebay is overran by people who just want a good deal (which they define by getting something for 5-10% of the overall value).


As a threadjack, are jewelers generally willing to just evaluate stones as part of an outside transaction? I always see this in ads, but I figured it was just a front because more jewelers don''t have appraisers on staff and, if they do, the appraisers charge a fee.