eBay

bbingo · ‎07-31-2018

Help! Please! This is the second time I've had this issue. The buyer purchased a 2.5 lb. lot of untested gold and silver jewelry. The buyer drive the bidding price up to over $100. The auction clearly states, "Huge lot of all gold and silver tone jewelry, findings, etc... Pre-owned condition. Testing, repair, harvest, and craft lot. Lots of little pieces - jump rings, clasps, broken chains, etc... None of these items have been tested for silver or gold content??? I do not know if there is precious metal in this lot or not. There may be, there may not be. Please bid accordingly. I do not know how to test jewelry. Please view all photos, this is the exact lot you will receive. Due to the nature of this jewelry auction, there are no returns on this lot."

The buyer received the lot, likely tested it to remove valuable gold and silver, then immediately started a return. He stated, "didn't like it." The lot contains lots of broken chains, clasps, findings, etc. I don't have a way to inventory the lots prior to shipping. As for weight, the buyer could easily replace with something else. Help!

What can I do to protect myself as a seller on these lots? Can Ebay help at all? Advice, please. I've already added this bidder to my blocked bidder list, but have faced this one other time. Thanks for the help!Photo of lot at purchase

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-31-2018

Thank you!

fern*wood · ‎07-31-2018

@sm870298 wrote:
Vintage Now means vingtage to modern. I used to sell lots of sorted jewelry.

Thanks for explaining that. I had no clue. Usually I can at least make up something but I was completely blank.

tatku-0 · ‎07-31-2018

@bbingo wrote:
The auction clearly states, '' I do not know if there is precious metal in this lot or not. There may be, there may not be. "

What can I do to protect myself as a seller on these lots? Can Ebay help at all?

Your listing description is vague, sounds like you don't know what's there in the lot you are selling - it MAY cause you trouble. Never list the items you ''do not know'' - can get in return any trash possible ...If you planning to sell lots - describe everything fully and thoroughly, but imo better sell separately

In this case - accept return, don't expect help or protection from ebay, it exists for buyers not for sellers.

And, your ''no return'' policy means nothing, that's why I stopped selling - too many remorse claimed as NAD

sm870298 · ‎07-31-2018

@hillbillymedia wrote:
@sm870298 wrote:
Stop listening untested Lots. You hinted strongly that there was gold and silver in the lot, to me that borders on fraud.
That`s not the way I read the ad according to what the OP posted but to each his/her own. Looks like more of a buyer beware auction to me. One thing I can almost guarantee....if there WAS any real gold or silver in the lot when shipped, there probably won`t be once it`s returned. That`s the kicker when selling on ebay...there is no such thing as "buyer beware".

OP-In my opinion you`d be better off learning how to test for precious metals yourself and selling what you find to someone local and reputable for scrap.

Hinting that something might be more valuable than it is, is just purely shady. It's like hinting that some snake oil will cure cancer.

If a seller is unwilling to learn how to test metal or unable to take it somewhere to have it tested, they shouldn't list it.

ekmadonna · ‎07-31-2018

STOP SELLING THEM,Especially if you really don't know what you are doing!

bbingo · ‎07-31-2018

Vintage Now = Vintage to Now or Vintage to Modern Jewelry

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-31-2018

@fern*wood wrote:
@sm870298 wrote:
Vintage Now means vingtage to modern. I used to sell lots of sorted jewelry.
Thanks for explaining that. I had no clue. Usually I can at least make up something but I was completely blank.

Well, I made up something and it was wrong so it would have been better if I had been blank, LOL!

bbingo · ‎07-31-2018

Vintage Now = Vintage to Now or Vintage to Modern Jewelry

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-31-2018

Thank you! I learned something!

bbingo · ‎07-31-2018

Well guys - thanks for the help. Lesson learned. No more lots like this from me. I do want you all to know I'm an honest seller. I'm not trying to sell something that's "not there," but haven't wanted to take the time to test every clasp and post of broken jewelry. I know some folks enjoy that kind of thing. I've received positive feedback in the past on lots like this so there must have been something of value. Anyway, thanks for all of your input. Your time to answer is appreciated. Blessings!

lex-talon · ‎07-31-2018

It's not a good idea to be listing "untested" gold or silver.

A buyer can come up with an excuse to return it and get their

money back or ebay will even let them keep the items as well as their money.

hillbillymedia · ‎07-31-2018

@sm870298 wrote:
@hillbillymedia wrote:
@sm870298 wrote:
Stop listening untested Lots. You hinted strongly that there was gold and silver in the lot, to me that borders on fraud.
That`s not the way I read the ad according to what the OP posted but to each his/her own. Looks like more of a buyer beware auction to me. One thing I can almost guarantee....if there WAS any real gold or silver in the lot when shipped, there probably won`t be once it`s returned. That`s the kicker when selling on ebay...there is no such thing as "buyer beware".

OP-In my opinion you`d be better off learning how to test for precious metals yourself and selling what you find to someone local and reputable for scrap.
Hinting that something might be more valuable than it is, is just purely shady. It's like hinting that some snake oil will cure cancer.

If a seller is unwilling to learn how to test metal or unable to take it somewhere to have it tested, they shouldn't list it.

Neither you nor I have any idea what the lot was worth or if it contained precious metals or it didn`t. The point was that the seller didn`t know and made it quite clear in the ad that they didn`t know....... "bid accordingly". What if the whole 2.5 pounds had been all precious metals or even 50% precious metals? Would that have been AOK with you? Would you accuse the buyer of fraud then? What if the auction had only sold for 1 bid of 99 cents instead of over $100? Would we be having this conversation then?

I agree that the seller shouldn`t be taking risks like this but the buyer is guaranteed to be made whole again and the seller will pay for it. I`m guessing the seller won`t risk this type of thing again. I hope not anyway. It`s been pointed out to them these types of auctions are against ebay rules and I`m assuming that is true for many reasons.

"There`s always barber college" - Dalton - Road House

ersatz_sobriquet · ‎07-31-2018

There's a lot of shifty dealers in this business, I unfortunately know several of them and if you've been in this business for awhile you know some too...stop putting a bullseye on your back. Glad to see you will test or sell locally what you don't want to bother with.