Question about selling a diamond pendant

[vouver]

Hi folks,

While I am a long-time buyer on ebay (1997), I have not sold a lot!

I am trying to get better at it and am hoping that this might be a resource for my questions as they come up. Thanks in advance to those of you who might have some guidance.

Question:  I have a lovely 14k gold pendant with 32 small diamonds in it.  I want to sell it but don't know how many carats of diamond are in it.  I don't want to go to someone and pay for an estimate but I do know that they are diamonds.  

I am thinking of just posting it with photos, and as good information at I can, and just letting people determine for themselves what it might be worth to them.  I would, of course, start the bidding at an amount that I could live with if that is as high as it goes.

Also, have you found it better to do free shipping and just pick an amount or to do it specifically to the person it is going to.

Thanks again!

Vouver

[katzrul15]

@vouver 

Have you sold on here recently?  (i.e. are you signed up for Managed Payments and have a checking account attached to your Seller account?)

What is the approx value of the necklace?  High-end jewelry on here, might just make you a magnet for a scam Buyer, etc.  Also, if you do not know the "value" of the item, how will you work to protect yourself if your buyer claims it is not authentic or is a fake (i.e. not diamonds)?  Most jewelry stores here do not charge a lot for an appraisal - we have them done for insurance purposes, etc.  

Is there somewhere locally you could sell this vs on here?

ETA:  New Sellers (or sellers who have taken a selling hiatus) often have selling limits, payout holds, etc.  Just an FYI)

[mtgraves7984]

This forum is a valuable resource for questions as they come up. Welcome! You're among friends.

Answer: I don't think that a lovely gold pendant with 32 small diamonds is a good 'Starting Sale' item for you.

New (or returning) sellers' funds are placed on Hold for a time, so it's not quick  cash...

New sellers are often targets for scammers and your item sounds like an item they'd love to prey on, so it's not safe  cash...

In this case, I might consider a local jeweler that sells on consignment, or an upper-end consignment boutique where the owner has access to 'just the right customer'. You'd get an evaluation and you'd get cold hard  cash when it sells.

Good luck, however you proceed.

[inhawaii]

If you're not going to get the item appraised and let potential buyers know exactly what they are buying, you have to disclose this in the listing. "Yellow metal" and "diamond like" stones and that you can't guarantee it's 14k gold and those are real diamonds.  Of course this will bring the value of the item way and you will not get nearly as much.  I would say get it appraised. 

[ckimodog]

Honestly...it sounds like a very nice item that has some value to it, however since you are new at selling this item, I would refrain from selling it here on Ebay.  Things have changed since 1997 where selling is concerned.  There are so many scammers and fraudsters out there. You'll make the sale and in turn they'll say it's not as described or they didn't receive it.  You'll be out the money and the item.  It's almost epidemic.  My suggestion is what others have suggested....perhaps you can sell it at an antique shop or jewelry store that will consign.  It's sad, but you are taking a risk and I would hate what I  just mentioned be the end result.  Good luck what ever you decide. 

[jayjaspersgarage]

Of the four replies thus far, ditto, ditto, ditto and yes, ditto.  Don't do it.   I had a Japanese war medal acquired through an estate sale purchase I almost put up for sale quickly and as I was taking photos I decided to run it by my jeweler.  The appraisal cost $150 but I made $1,350 profit after the appraisal cost.  You should be very careful about listing anything worth over $100 as a new seller unless you are also willing to hang it on a fence downtown and walk away.  Meaning if you can't afford to lose the money don't start out listing expensive stuff before you really know how things can go wrong from all the posts in this message board.  I did sell that medal here on ebay to a pre-approved buyer with a solid feedback record.

[eleanor*rigby]

Not to mention the up-to-21-day hold eBay may/will put on the payout of your funds, since you're a "new" seller and it would be a higher-dollar item.

[itsjustasprain]

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@jayjaspersgarage wrote:

 I did sell that medal here on ebay to a pre-approved buyer with a solid feedback record.

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Just curious - what is a 'pre-approved' buyer in this context? Was this one of those auctions where bidders have to be approved in advance somehow by Ebay before they can even bid?

[soh.maryl]

Frankly, you're not well-equipped to list this as the first thing you've listed in a long time.

If you don't want to go to the trouble of getting it appraised, then you might as well just throw it away.

People here are advising you so that you won't lose money.  Take their advice.  

[doug_5857]

I can not express any more what the other Well Seasoned Sellers have already mentioned. I would not suggest selling anything over $100.00 until you get back into the groove. and even then, Its a huge risk. Best of luck to you.

[itsjustasprain]

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@itsjustasprain wrote:

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@jayjaspersgarage wrote:

 I did sell that medal here on ebay to a pre-approved buyer with a solid feedback record.

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Just curious - what is a 'pre-approved' buyer in this context? Was this one of those auctions where bidders have to be approved in advance somehow by Ebay before they can even bid?

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@jayjaspersgarage :...?