E-Bay

[JetLeg]

Hi everyone.

What do you think of

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220175892056&category=1469&sspagename=rvi:1:1

?

Advice would be appreciated.

[tkingdoll]

I think that's an old idea that many are wise to now. Also, why do I need the download? I have all the info I require from the listing, namely that sometimes people misspell and I can get those items cheaply.

Of course, anyone actually looking for an Abercrombie and Fitch is rather likely to search using the easier word 'fitch'...

[H3LL]

Advice would be appreciated.

Save your money.

Among others....

Floodle (http://www.floodle.net/extra/ebayinfo/Misspellings.html)

Have fun.

[fuelair]

Saved me over $200.00 on a signed "Hienline" book once. It was legitimately a limited edition, signed Heinlein book and I was the only bidder due to the error.

[Morrigan]

What tkingdoll said. It's common knowledge, and you just have to use it. Buying a book about it just shows what kind of tool someone can be. :)

[Spindrift]

What tkingdoll said. It's common knowledge, and you just have to use it. Buying a book about it just shows what kind of tool someone can be. :)

Ditto.

Plus the rather creative ways that people can mispell words is quite limitless.

The key is just knowing that words can be mispelled. When searching you should search more than just the title.

eBay does have description spell checker now.

[Starthinker]

Now if someone would just bid on my stupid snail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Snail-Brooch-French-40s-50s_W0QQitemZ260186111712QQihZ016QQ

[Just thinking]

Now if someone would just bid on my stupid snail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Snail-Brooch-French-40s-50s_W0QQitemZ260186111712QQihZ016QQ

What really gets me is how some folks can sell items for thousands of dollars and then cheap out on the shipping costs. Damn --- if someone was to give me 5 grand for that ugly slug I'd give the guy free shipping and arrival confirmation documents as well.

[alfaniner]

Right -- I just figured that out. I placed several items for sale last week and they are ending tonight. Free shipping on a 35-pound item is nothing to sneeze at, but when it's expected to go for several hundred dollars I can swing it. So far, between my original purchase price and what it will cost me to ship it, I'm making about $10 so far.

But, the bidding isn't over and I'm hoping to get a few more bucks!

I now offer free shipping on Media Mail items as well, usually video games.

[Starthinker]

What really gets me is how some folks can sell items for thousands of dollars and then cheap out on the shipping costs. Damn --- if someone was to give me 5 grand for that ugly slug I'd give the guy free shipping and arrival confirmation documents as well.

That's just to cover insurance. You are right though, I should knock that off.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

What really gets me is how some folks can sell items for thousands of dollars and then cheap out on the shipping costs. Damn --- if someone was to give me 5 grand for that ugly slug I'd give the guy free shipping and arrival confirmation documents as well.

"confirmation documents"? Could I just have the snail baptized? :confused:

[tkingdoll]

Now if someone would just bid on my stupid snail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Snail-Brooch-French-40s-50s_W0QQitemZ260186111712QQihZ016QQ

I love it!

But I am not paying THAT much for a brooch.

[Starthinker]

I love it!

But I am not paying THAT much for a brooch.

But once you hold it's heavy goldness you will be smitten!!

[Skeptic Ginger]

It's a scam. Where did you get it? Let me guess, an Email sent to you which looks like it came from Ebay?

Ebay does have a spell checker, for one. But I have received numerous emails that look exactly like they came from Ebay but they were frauds.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Fuelair is right though, misspellings and where items are placed can get you items people are not bidding on.

But then all you have to do is look for those misspellings on your own. He found one. Other people do too.

Edited to add, thanks for the Floodle link.

[Skeptic Ginger]

What really gets me is how some folks can sell items for thousands of dollars and then cheap out on the shipping costs. Damn --- if someone was to give me 5 grand for that ugly slug I'd give the guy free shipping and arrival confirmation documents as well.
"Shipping is free! I cannot ship overseas."


But the authenticity is claimed as established but not guaranteed. That's the hallmark of a rip off seller.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Right -- I just figured that out. I placed several items for sale last week and they are ending tonight. Free shipping on a 35-pound item is nothing to sneeze at, but when it's expected to go for several hundred dollars I can swing it. So far, between my original purchase price and what it will cost me to ship it, I'm making about $10 so far.

But, the bidding isn't over and I'm hoping to get a few more bucks!

I now offer free shipping on Media Mail items as well, usually video games.So how much do you buy from Ebay? I just got yet another item that was falsely advertised. I'm going to go back through my purchases and see what the odds have been.

This is a game missing pieces and with broken pieces that was advertised as complete and in good condition. I'm out my $20 because half that was for shipping and to return it would cost the other half. I only wanted it for the parts to complete my other game with missing pieces and this one is missing some of the same ones. The guy made about $5 on my lost $20.

[Starthinker]

"Shipping is free! I cannot ship overseas."


But the authenticity is claimed as established but not guaranteed. That's the hallmark of a rip off seller.

What, exactly are you accusing me of? I'm just basically saying the sale is final. I take great exception to being called a rip off seller. You get the very same deal from Christies where the other jewels from this collection was sold.

And what the heck is wrong with not shipping overseas? I've been through that headache before and want to avoid it this time.

Please, enlighten me.

[alfaniner]

So how much do you buy from Ebay? I just got yet another item that was falsely advertised. I'm going to go back through my purchases and see what the odds have been.

I've mostly been selling, but have bought a few things without any trouble. Just made my biggest sale (about $300) of a collectible item. However, a couple other collectibles I bought with the intent to sell didn't even get any bids. I should have known... I rarely do that.

I've had to deny selling to Canada and other places because to deal with International shipping and going to the post office are too much of a hassle for the smaller items.

[Skeptic Ginger]

What, exactly are you accusing me of? I'm just basically saying the sale is final. I take great exception to being called a rip off seller. You get the very same deal from Christies where the other jewels from this collection was sold.

And what the heck is wrong with not shipping overseas? I've been through that headache before and want to avoid it this time.

Please, enlighten me.:o My bad. I didn't read carefully it was your snail. I thought you were joking about it. So sorry.

It was the "as-is with no warranty" after saying it was so well documented. It makes no sense to me. Either you trust the appraisal or you don't. I think for $5,000 I would want the seller to say something like it's guaranteed to be the pin in the appraisal or something like that rather than no warranty. Or you could just say be certain before you buy, no returns.

Perhaps you are familiar with the problem of not saying as is? I see that often and it makes me think there is something the seller is not saying.

[Starthinker]

Okay, just checking. I have had so many crazy people swear they were going to buy then back out it's driving me crazy. It was appraised at $12 grand by a jewler in NY and my own appraisal was $4995, which was just a material appraisal. Christies valued it at $8 grand. I know it's not kosher to say this on a skeptic site, but I swear that thing is cursed. I just want to sell it and be done with it. Links to how I got it is in my signature.

[Skeptic Ginger]

I've mostly been selling, but have bought a few things without any trouble. Just made my biggest sale (about $300) of a collectible item. However, a couple other collectibles I bought with the intent to sell didn't even get any bids. I should have known... I rarely do that.

I've had to deny selling to Canada and other places because to deal with International shipping and going to the post office are too much of a hassle for the smaller items.I just leave it up to the buyer if they want to pay the shipping. Canada is the most ridiculous. I can post something to the border for $7-8, but the same item going just over the border to Vancouver is ~$23. But people still buy stuff. I bought a few things from England and a meteorite from Germany. And someone from Europe bought a stuffed Garfield from me which turned out to be cheaper to ship by "global priority mail" if the item is smaller.

I can understand not wanting to sell out of the country for a $5,000 item. I would be more concerned about the reliability of the package getting there. If I recall, the post office won't insure internationally. Maybe the other services do.

[Skeptic Ginger]

BTW, I tried searching with a misspelling to see if I could get a deal and Ebay auto corrected the search.

[JetLeg]

Thanks all.

Moderate me if that's too unrelated to Business Skepticism, but since this has become an e-bay thread, I am wondering about the following - I want to send only one, expensive item, so far.

But, I doubt that I will manage to sell it, since being a new-seller I have zero positive feedback. And I do not have any cheap items to sell, just in order to raise my feedback.

Are there some veteran e-bay users here ready with an advice? What would jesus do?

[Skeptic Ginger]

I bought a few things and got good feedback before selling. It gives you a rating and even if not as a seller, it helps.

[m_huber]

My first sale was a $500 saw and I shipped it practically across the country.

[Spindrift]

Thanks all.

Moderate me if that's too unrelated to Business Skepticism, but since this has become an e-bay thread, I am wondering about the following - I want to send only one, expensive item, so far.

But, I doubt that I will manage to sell it, since being a new-seller I have zero positive feedback. And I do not have any cheap items to sell, just in order to raise my feedback.

Are there some veteran e-bay users here ready with an advice? What would jesus do?

I've been doing eBay buying and selling for over 10 years, so I might be able to help a bit.

If you have an item that someone wants, it will sell.

The best prices usually come to those willing to take a risk and putting a very low starting price. I've put items I know will bring at least $50 up for $5. That way you get more people involved and their competitive spirit takes over and something that should have gone for $50 goes for $75 or more. You only need two people for a bidding war, but the more the merrier. Sometimes it doesn't work but most times it does.

However in your situation you only have one item, so I don't think you should take the risk. You could put a reserve on your auction which means your item won't sell unless the reserve is met. The downside to a reserve is that some people won't bid on reserve auctions. But again if it's an item that someone wants, they will bid.

Research eBay to see if anything similiar has sold recently. There will give you an idea if what you have will sell for what you want it too.

Set up a PayPal account if you don't already have one. A lot of people are more comfortable using PayPal for large payments. It will cost you more since PayPal charges a percentage for the transaction.

Finally, there are a lot of local places that will sell items on consignment on eBay. They usually take a percentage of the sale price. That might be easier.

Do you mind saying what the item is?
You said it's expensive, what is the price range you think it's worth?

[Geek Goddess]

However in your situation you only have one item, so I don't think you should take the risk. You could put a reserve on your auction which means your item won't sell unless the reserve is met. The downside to a reserve is that some people won't bid on reserve auctions. But again if it's an item that someone wants, they will bid.



I do not see the point of reserve auctions, and I don't bid on them. If you have a minimum price that you want for an item, just put that amount as your starting price. If you want $100 for an item, why start bids at $50 but with a reserve?? I also don't get into 'bidding wars' for stuff. If I see something I want, I put the maximum I am willing to pay for it up front, and let the eBay system work it out. Going back and forth with someone $1 at a time seems...silly.

[JetLeg]

Do you mind saying what the item is?


Not until the sale begins.



You said it's expensive, what is the price range you think it's worth?



I think I was day-dreaming when I said "expensive". It might cost 100$, perhaps 300$ and in my wildest dreams someone might buy it for 500$. The "expensive" must have refered to the wildest-dreams-options.

How willing will people be to buy something from sellers with no-positive-feedback?

[Rcintron]

Hi everyone.

What do you think of

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220175892056&category=1469&sspagename=rvi:1:1

?

Advice would be appreciated.


About three years ago I made a delphi program to take advantage of this. You just put the item you were looking for, select what manipulations you wanted the program to perform (repeat a letter, delete a letter, transpose a letter, change a letter with another one that's close in the the keyboard, or a phonetic change, for example, ph for f). The program generated the search string and called ebay with it.
I found several great deals this way. It still works, by the way.

here is a sample:

gamecube (http://search.ebay.com/(AGMECUBE,AMECUBE,BAMECUBE,FAMECUBE,GAAMECUBE,GAEC UBE,GAEMCUBE,GAHECUBE,GAJECUBE,GAKECUBE,GAMCCUBE,G AMCEUBE,GAMCUBE,GAMECBE,GAMECBUE,GAMECCUBE,GAMECHB E,GAMECIBE,GAMECJBE,GAMECKBE,GAMECUBBE,GAMECUBC,GA MECUBEE,GAMECUBF,GAMECUBI,GAMECUBR,GAMECUBS,GAMECU BV,GAMECUBW,GAMECUDE,GAMECUE,GAMECUEB,GAMECUFE,GAM ECUGE,GAMECUHE,GAMECUNE,GAMECUOOPE,GAMECUUBE,GAMEC UVE,GAMECWBE,GAMECYBE,GAMEDUBE,GAMEECUBE,GAMEFUBE, GAMEKUBE,GAMEQUBE,GAMESUBE,GAMEUBE,GAMEUCBE,GAMEVU BE,GAMEXXUBE,GAMEZUBE,GAMFCUBE,GAMICUBE,GAMMECUBE, GAMRCUBE,GAMSCUBE,GAMVCUBE,GAMWCUBE,GANECUBE,GGAME CUBE,GMAECUBE,GMECUBE,GQMECUBE,GSMECUBE,GWMECUBE,G XMECUBE,GZMECUBE,HAMECUBE,NAMECUBE,RAMECUBE,TAMECU BE,VAMECUBE,XJAMECUBE,YAMECUBE,YAMECUBE))

[NoZed Avenger]

I do not see the point of reserve auctions, and I don't bid on them. If you have a minimum price that you want for an item, just put that amount as your starting price. If you want $100 for an item, why start bids at $50 but with a reserve?? I also don't get into 'bidding wars' for stuff. If I see something I want, I put the maximum I am willing to pay for it up front, and let the eBay system work it out. Going back and forth with someone $1 at a time seems...silly.

Attitudinally, I agree, but (IIRC, as it has been a while), the way eBay charges for a listing, you pay less as the seller with a low starting bid+reserve than if you just start at the higher price. They may have changed their formula, but that is why I think people used to do it that way.

Reserve prices, however, annoy me and drive me away as a bidder -- I am not going to sit around trying to guess what the "real" starting price is.

[Spindrift]

I do not see the point of reserve auctions, and I don't bid on them. If you have a minimum price that you want for an item, just put that amount as your starting price. If you want $100 for an item, why start bids at $50 but with a reserve?? I also don't get into 'bidding wars' for stuff. If I see something I want, I put the maximum I am willing to pay for it up front, and let the eBay system work it out. Going back and forth with someone $1 at a time seems...silly.

I don't do reserve auctions myself but it is a way to find out what something might sell for if you don't have a good idea without letting it go cheap.

Example: If you list something for $100 and everyone thinks that's too much, they won't bid. The only thing you get out of it is that $100 might be too much. If you start it at $50 and a reserve of $100 and the price goes to $65 then you know how much it could go for.

I admire you're bidding restraint and I usually try to do that as well but sometimes I get caught up in the hunt, especially if it for something I really want.

[Spindrift]

How willing will people be to buy something from sellers with no-positive-feedback?
A lot. Remember every seller at one point had no-positive-feedback even though a lot of people won't bid on someone who doesn't have much or no feedback.

The main thing is that if your item is something that someone really wants, they will bid whether or not you have any feedback.

One key is whether or not your item can be gotten from another seller. If there are two identical items up for auction and one seller has no feedback, I'd be more likely to go with the one with feedback.

[Skeptic Ginger]

I do not see the point of reserve auctions, and I don't bid on them. If you have a minimum price that you want for an item, just put that amount as your starting price. ....I agree. People have tried to explain the reason for reserves and the only thing that is remotely the case is sometimes people will bid a little higher when they are bidding against someone and they can't see that person's highest bid. You see them bid numerous times to get up to the other bidder's max. I just don't believe people do the same thing bidding against a reserve. I think the psychology differs and they get mad instead of going a little higher and a little higher.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Not until the sale begins.





I think I was day-dreaming when I said "expensive". It might cost 100$, perhaps 300$ and in my wildest dreams someone might buy it for 500$. The "expensive" must have refered to the wildest-dreams-options.

How willing will people be to buy something from sellers with no-positive-feedback?Did you look to see what similar items sold for?

Hey, my son sold his WoW character for $720. cash.

[Antiquehunter]

Starthinker:

As an Ebay user for over 8 years, 100% positive feedback & rating over 2700 - some tips on selling this specific piece of jewellery:

(Note - I specialize in estate jewellery, high-end watches, loose gemstones etc...)

- Display both appraisal documents.
- Spell 'cabochon' correctly, and correct all spelling errors in the auction. Your target audience is a sophisticated jewellery buyer with the resources to spend a significant amount of money on a piece of jewellery, and a piece of substantial scarcity, given the pink diamonds. Most people haven't even HEARD of pink diamonds, let alone seen them. Your auction should be appropriately professional.
- Show the hallmarks in a photo - I suspect that the mark on your piece is actually 'Depose' rather than 'Jepose' which indicates its a registered French design. I would like to see the 18k hallmark - is it '18k'? is it '750'? Is it a french hallmark?
- I'm not sure I understand the origin of this piece - you won some sort of treasue seeking contest? As such, the provenance of the piece should be known quite precisely. If this is a contemporary piece that was made for this treasure hunting activity - then it probably is NOT a 1940's / 50's vintage piece but is contemporary STYLED after a vintage piece.
- I think your last sentence in the auction description applies to another auction you've posted in the past. (What is Alchemist Dar?)
- Have you researched the manufacturer? Assuming it is vintage, this piece strikes me that it COULD be a Chanel, maybe Van Cleef & Arpels, or perhaps a similarly renkowned European maker - since the use of pink diamonds in a vintage piece is most unusual. Knowing the maker, particularly if its a high-end designer COULD significantly add to the saleability and value of the piece.
- Disclose the technical details on the diamonds. You state the clarity is SI1 - but what are the appraisal comments on the colour, the flourescence, the cut? Are they of Australian origin? Does the GIA appriaser state the diamonds are entirely natural and unenhanced?
- Consider changing your wording on the 'warranty' - why not guarantee that the brooch will arrive as described, consistent with the GIA appraisal? No 'buyers remorse' returns accepted, but stand behind your item!

In my humble opinion, I think your price is too high. A $5000 'material' price is absurd for this piece. The gold value is approx $300 based on $800 an ounce gold, the turquoise cab is of nominal value. The two .18 point pink diamonds DO have a high replacement value, assuming they are natural, untreated, and are totally legit - but I would want to see the appraisal on them with the appraisers opinion, since natural, unenhanced pink diamonds are such an unusual commodity. There is no way that those stones are worth $4500 on a material replacement basis - much less than 1/2 that price I expect if I were to shop around on the wholesale market.

You should be selling this piece on the strength of the rarity of the diamonds & the quality of manufacture / design - not on the basis of material replacement. If you could ascertain this piece WAS Van Cleef (for example) now all of a sudden you are reaching a whole other section of buyers / collectors. Also - the story of the treasure hunt etc... adds to the 'back story' of the item.

A rule of thumb I use when buying jewellery with an appraisal is that I START at around 20 - 25% of the appraisal value, knowing that I will get likely 30 - 35% when I sell the piece, perhaps less if the appraiser is known to highball prices. As such, I may be interested in considering to buy the piece at a starting price of $2500 or so - (assuming I agree with the appraisal opinion) with a view to reselling at around $3500.

I can custom make you a piece of jewellery that I would sell you for $3000 - $3500 (making a reasonable profit) using quality diamonds, coloured stones & gold - that would appraise happily by any GIA appraiser at $10 - $12k.

I offer this feedback only to assist you in selling your item - since that was your original request. Please don't take offence at my opinion. A number of JRefers who have met me have seen the jewellery I have designed / crafted and can vouch for my sincerity.

-AH.

[Starthinker]

Antiquehunter, yes, this was won in a contest. I'd show you the website but the author started another contest which put him into bankruptcy and so all his websites came down. Googling "A Treasure's Trove" or Michael Stadther should bring things up. The first couple of times I listed this I played up the treasure hunt since it has quite a following but this last listing was just testing the waters without using the treasure hunt as the bankruptcy tainted the whole hunt. It was pieced together so I admit it was a bit sloppy, I put more time in the earlier listing. I know nothing about jewelry so your input is well received.

The first time I listed it I did have links to the appraisals, not sure what happened to them, thanks for pointing that out. One was done by Don Palmieri, whom I'm told is quite influential. I was told by the local jeweler if I melted it down and sold the materials that's what I'd get, so I was just going by what I was told. The local jeweler even took it to a conference in CA and the general consensus was $4500-5000 although I was hoping a treasure hunter would catch it for the higher price since it has that history.

You make good points, however, the hallmark is tiny and I can barely see it with a loupe let alone take a picture of it. And yes, it's Jepose. At least two jewelers said that's what it was and it looks like a J to me. But I've never been able to find a Jepose, so I'm going to re-check that. Otherwise, like I said, I really don't know enough about jewelry to know what would be pertinent to a listing. I may list it again later with your advice in mind, as for now it's just an ornament on my tree. I don't have it here, but I think it was stamped 18k. I'm told (not documented) that it's previous owner verified it's age, it's not contemporary or made just for the hunt and it was purchased in Europe. How would I tell where the diamonds came from? I think that would take more than I have resources for. Dar is the current hunt (the sequel to Treasure's Trove) so I put that in mainly for the search engines.

So, I was targeting the treasure hunters more than anyone but it's good to hear from someone who just sees a piece of jewelry. Thanks.

[Geek Goddess]

I just want to vouch AH's opinions here - I've seen his stuff!!

[666]

Googling "A Treasure's Trove" or Michael Stadther should bring things up.
Here's Google's cached version of the Snail's Discovery. (http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:i-e_BjUOh2wJ:www.atreasurestrove.com/utility/showPage/index.cfm%3FobjectID%3Dpublic,4683+%22ATreasuresTr ove.com%22+snail&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk&client=firefox-a)

[Antiquehunter]

Well I note that the back of the piece is concave, which suggests to me that it would be difficult to get a solid strike with the stamp that makes the hallmarks - and a partial 'D' in 'Depose' could look like a 'J'.

Animal brooches of that style were made by a number of high-end jewellers in the 40's-50's period, so I would definitely invest time on researching who made it. (Start out by looking at Chanel & Van Cleef). Quality materials & manufature do suggest this was made for someone of wealth, and likely has a very interesting provenance - if you can figure it out.

Now - as to the pink diamonds, a good GIA appraiser will have more technical details on the stones included in the write up. MOST gem grade pink diamonds come from Australia - and these can be identified (generally) by a good appraiser. So - when you next relist, I would provide more details off the appraisal. Really - pink diamonds are so uncommonly found on the market, especially in a finished piece of jewellery (and a vintage one to boot) you need to highlight this in the auction.

[Starthinker]

Well, like I said both appraisals didn't say anything about the diamonds. Here's the first one: http://www.starthinker.com/images/dpappraisal1.jpg and the second one mostly mirrored that one, just had a much lower value. Not sure how to research something like that and is it really worth paying someone to? I'm trying to contact the previous owner to find the previous, previous owner but as he's an author in hiding it may take a while.

Thanks again.

[Antiquehunter]

Starthinker - I read the appraisal - frankly, I don't particularly care for it. I'm not sure if this Palmieri guy is renknowned or not, but its not a very strong appraisal document technically. Problems I see with the appraisal:

- Technical details on the diamonds are extremely weak. No comment on the cut, whether the diamonds exhibit any flourescence, no comment on his opinion whether the pink colour is attributable to enhancement or are natural etc...
- His description of the turquoise cab is very weak - I mean, its a nice quality cabochon, not of terrific value (I could buy those in a parcel in the middle east literally for a buck or two a stone) but it appears to be about as fine as you can find on the market. He should mention the cab is free of matrix or 'spiderwebbing' (the black lines you find in typical turquoise)
- He mentions NOWHERE in the appraisal that the piece is made of 18k gold - indeed he doesn't even mention if the piece is GOLD apart from the title description.
- He states French hallmarks - that's nice - describe them in full.
- The title states his estimate of age to be 1940s then later 1950s
- No discussion of the wear and tear on the piece. A 50 - 60 year old piece of jewellery should include in the description commentary on the condition.
- He states in the disclaimer that the gemstones were evaluated prior to mounting unless otherwise stated. He doesn't state that he saw the finished piece of jewellery, ergo I have to assume he did NOT view the stones out of their mountings - hence, its a false document.

If I were you, and you want my honest opinion, I would take this piece to a GOOD jeweller - one who has seen a pink diamond before in their life. Go in, play totally dumb. Say you inherited the item from your great aunt Tootie and you want an appraisal. Make sure the appraiser is GIA certified (Mr. Palmieri appears not to be - he's a member of a different group - and a group which in my opinion is not as well-trained or supervised) Don't mention the provenance, or suggest that you think the piece is worth $12,000 based on what the treasure hunt suggested. Tell them you are interested in the technical details on the diamonds.

I really don't want to set you up for a disappointment, but I have a hunch that with a more objective background, this piece will appraise significantly lower.

[Antiquehunter]

To clarify on my post above - he states that the gemstones were evaluated prior to mounting unless otherwise stated. He doesn't state that he evaluated the piece as a finished piece of jewellery, which implies that he DID view the stones prior to mounting - impossible unless he viewed the piece when it was made in the 40's or 50's (depending on how you read the inconsistency in his appraisal).

The number of discrepancies in the appraisal document severely impair the document. As I mentioned earlier - I view appraisals for insurance as highly suspect (knowing how the game is played) and this one more suspect than most. I wouldn't be willing to make even my usual 20% - 25% offer based on this document.

[Skeptic Ginger]

AH, those are excellent posts. I'm not selling jewelry or anything high end, but I very much like what you took the time to post here. I'm impressed.

[Antiquehunter]

Nothing better to do here in Kabul - bloody bombs going off, and we're all locked down. :)

[Skeptic Ginger]

Bummer!

[Foolmewunz]

Nothing better to do here in Kabul - bloody bombs going off, and we're all locked down. :)

Jeez, all you ever do is complain! Bombs yadayadayada. Kabul yadayadayada!

I'll have you know that some of us have real problems. You should have seen how runny the dill sauce was on my filet of salmon at lunch!:spjimlad:


As to the thread in question. I concur on the appraisal. A friend of mine in New York did a lot of work on "the street" with his dad who was a diamond dealer. (Is it safe?) The dealt a lot with estate jewelry, and were obviously very up on their diamonds. His dad told me once that the worst appraisals were the ones for insurance purposes. (We were discussing my former Mother-in-Law's rocks and why they varied so wildly between the appraised value and what a legitimate jeweler was willing to give her.)

When Dear Old Aunt Tillie would pass away, the nieces and nephews would think they were liquidating three or four pieces worth 20K each, only to find that:

a) The previous appraisal was for insurance purposes and kited by 30/40%, if not much more.
b) No one wanted a 1944 style pin in 1977*, so the "craftsmanship" was worth nothing (unless it was one of the majors and collectible). Ergo, you were looking at the value of the stones and the settings/findings.
c) The companies looking to buy estate jewelry, even the small dealers, were investing in sending someone out to see the stuff, and then might hold the stones for months or years, as there was rarely a buyer immediately available. My friend's dad had a couple of rocks in the safe that he'd had for more than ten years - got a great price on 'em, but no one wanted a stone that large or in that cut, and he didn't want to re-cut as they were exceptional of their particular type.
d) The best looking piece - the one they couldn't find the appraisal for - was invariably costume, and Aunt Tillie kept it in the lockbox for sentimental reasons, because a sweet friend gave it to her.
e) Whatever the appraisers said, those are store prices, e.g. replacement prices, so no dealer is going to buy at the same amount he can sell for.


*Now, if you happened to be holding a top-of-the-line piece in an Art Deco style when that rebounded and became so popular in the late 60s and through the 70s, you were probably sitting pretty.