Dear Ellen, No, they are not real. Majorica "pearls" are not pearls. The only thing they have in common with pearls is the round shape. Majorica are imitation pearls made of glass and coated with a coating that is made from fish scales. In my humble opinion, they are not worth the price. Regards, GeRead more
Dear Ellen,
No, they are not real. Majorica “pearls” are not pearls. The only thing they have in common with pearls is the round shape. Majorica are imitation pearls made of glass and coated with a coating that is made from fish scales.
In my humble opinion, they are not worth the price.
Dear Nena, It is not necessarily a scam. I know at least a few absolutely reliable and honest sellers that make bidders' identities private. It is somewhat hard for me to understand why they are doing this as the real identities remain hidden at all times anyways. With that being said, I have to notRead more
Dear Nena,
It is not necessarily a scam. I know at least a few absolutely reliable and honest sellers that make bidders’ identities private.
It is somewhat hard for me to understand why they are doing this as the real identities remain hidden at all times anyways.
With that being said, I have to note that private listings are indeed a factor that should raise a red flag.
According to my personal experience, private listings are mainly used by dishonest sellers. For the most part, it is being done to hide shill bidding (placing bids on your own lots).
You see, in order to engage in shill bidding, sellers have to create new fake accounts (users) all the time. Thus, these fake bidders have extremely limited feedback scores or none at all. If bidder identities are not private, you can easily notice that one and the same bidder with no feedback score is continuously bidding on that seller’s lots. Or there is a bunch of no-feedback-bidders competing for that seller’s lots. So, there is a good chance you’ll get suspicious that something fishy is going on. They (dishonest sellers) don’t want that. Therefore, they make bidders’ identities private (hide them), and bidders have no idea with whom they are competing.
My estimate is that at least 9 out of 10 sellers who make their listings private are scammers.
Dear Melany, I can see that you have received some quality answers already. I'd just like to add that the price in the screenshot shared by @Anna is still pretty high. Normally such bracelets sell at $40 to $60. I'm pretty sure if you are a bit patient, you can get a deal within this price range. GoRead more
Dear Melany,
I can see that you have received some quality answers already. I’d just like to add that the price in the screenshot shared by Anna is still pretty high. Normally such bracelets sell at $40 to $60. I’m pretty sure if you are a bit patient, you can get a deal within this price range.
Good luck!
As @Eric rightly noted, this happens due to automatic bidding. However, it is important to note that automatic bidding, although it may seem a very convenient tool, is not a smart choice. It inevitably leads to paying more. There are other foolish mistakes bidders make, too. For example, engaging inRead more
As Eric rightly noted, this happens due to automatic bidding. However, it is important to note that automatic bidding, although it may seem a very convenient tool, is not a smart choice. It inevitably leads to paying more.
There are other foolish mistakes bidders make, too. For example, engaging in bidding wars. If you want to find out how to bid on eBay and pay less, read this post: https://www.shopperlib.com/how-to-bid-to-win-on-ebay-3-simple-tips/
This post describes in detail what mistakes eBay bidders make, how to avoid them, and what is the most effective bidding strategy.
It is not rocket science, but you’ll be surprised how many eBay bidders make mistakes and grossly overpay as a result.
You know, it's not really true that all you can see is a bidder's nickname. A bidder's nickname won't tell you much. However, if you dig a bit deeper, you can see the 30-day activity summary (bid history): what number of items the respective bidder has been bidding on, the total number of bids (fromRead more
You know, it’s not really true that all you can see is a bidder’s nickname. A bidder’s nickname won’t tell you much.
However, if you dig a bit deeper, you can see the 30-day activity summary (bid history): what number of items the respective bidder has been bidding on, the total number of bids (from this you can conclude what bidding strategy that bidder employs – whether he places one bid per item or competes continuously by placing multiple bids).
You can also see what is the bid activity (in %) with that particular seller and the number of bids that bidder has retracted within a 6-month period.
Most importantly, you can see how the bidder is bidding on that particular item you are interested in.
Thus, you get a pretty clear picture of who you are competing with and what to expect.
I cannot really say whether it's the very best place to buy vintage jewelry, but I have bought a few really great pieces from vintagehoneypots on ebay.de I remember one sterling silver ring with diamonds (14K gold plated) and one very impressive size jadeite jade pendant especially well. I succeededRead more
I cannot really say whether it’s the very best place to buy vintage jewelry, but I have bought a few really great pieces from vintagehoneypots on ebay.de
I remember one sterling silver ring with diamonds (14K gold plated) and one very impressive size jadeite jade pendant especially well. I succeeded to resell them at a very good profit (10 and 19 times more than what I paid for these items). So, you can find some pretty good deals there from time to time. I think it really depends on what you are looking for.
Dear Melany, You can pop champagne for not bidding on this bracelet. 900 EUR is an insane price for it! An identical bracelet was sold on Catawiki for 62 EUR a few years ago, and that price is way closer to the true market value of this item. As ShopperLib puts it, "Informed shopping decision = GoodRead more
Dear Melany,
You can pop champagne for not bidding on this bracelet. 900 EUR is an insane price for it! An identical bracelet was sold on Catawiki for 62 EUR a few years ago, and that price is way closer to the true market value of this item.
As ShopperLib puts it, “Informed shopping decision = Good shopping decision” 😉
Too bad for the highest bidder for not being well-informed…
Unfortunately, I cannot agree with @Editor that Westfield Jewelry Appraisers are always honest and consistent as far as gemstone treatment is concerned. No doubt, on most occasions they are but NOT ALWAYS. Take a look at the image I have attached here. Westfield Jewelry Appraisers have identified thRead more
Unfortunately, I cannot agree with Editor that Westfield Jewelry Appraisers are always honest and consistent as far as gemstone treatment is concerned. No doubt, on most occasions they are but NOT ALWAYS.
Take a look at the image I have attached here. Westfield Jewelry Appraisers have identified this parcel of gemstones as natural emeralds with a whopping retail value estimate of $7540!
These are not emeralds. These are dyed beryls, and their retail value is around $20.
This is both very unprofessional and dishonest.
Are Majorica pearls real? Are they wort the price?
GemCollector
Dear Ellen, No, they are not real. Majorica "pearls" are not pearls. The only thing they have in common with pearls is the round shape. Majorica are imitation pearls made of glass and coated with a coating that is made from fish scales. In my humble opinion, they are not worth the price. Regards, GeRead more
Dear Ellen,
No, they are not real. Majorica “pearls” are not pearls. The only thing they have in common with pearls is the round shape. Majorica are imitation pearls made of glass and coated with a coating that is made from fish scales.
In my humble opinion, they are not worth the price.
Regards, GemCollector
See lessAre KGCL gem lab certificates trustworthy?
GemCollector
Dear Josh, As a matter of fact, they are not trustworthy at all. This is just another bogus lab. Sincerely, GemCollector
Dear Josh,
As a matter of fact, they are not trustworthy at all. This is just another bogus lab.
Sincerely, GemCollector
See lesseBay – private listing – bidders’ identities protected – is it a scam?
Editor
Dear Nena, It is not necessarily a scam. I know at least a few absolutely reliable and honest sellers that make bidders' identities private. It is somewhat hard for me to understand why they are doing this as the real identities remain hidden at all times anyways. With that being said, I have to notRead more
Dear Nena,
It is not necessarily a scam. I know at least a few absolutely reliable and honest sellers that make bidders’ identities private.
It is somewhat hard for me to understand why they are doing this as the real identities remain hidden at all times anyways.
With that being said, I have to note that private listings are indeed a factor that should raise a red flag.
According to my personal experience, private listings are mainly used by dishonest sellers. For the most part, it is being done to hide shill bidding (placing bids on your own lots).
You see, in order to engage in shill bidding, sellers have to create new fake accounts (users) all the time. Thus, these fake bidders have extremely limited feedback scores or none at all. If bidder identities are not private, you can easily notice that one and the same bidder with no feedback score is continuously bidding on that seller’s lots. Or there is a bunch of no-feedback-bidders competing for that seller’s lots. So, there is a good chance you’ll get suspicious that something fishy is going on. They (dishonest sellers) don’t want that. Therefore, they make bidders’ identities private (hide them), and bidders have no idea with whom they are competing.
My estimate is that at least 9 out of 10 sellers who make their listings private are scammers.
Regards, Editor
See less925 Sterling silver Snake bracelet with ruby on Catawiki – what’s the true market value?
Editor
Dear Melany, I can see that you have received some quality answers already. I'd just like to add that the price in the screenshot shared by @Anna is still pretty high. Normally such bracelets sell at $40 to $60. I'm pretty sure if you are a bit patient, you can get a deal within this price range. GoRead more
Dear Melany,
I can see that you have received some quality answers already. I’d just like to add that the price in the screenshot shared by Anna is still pretty high. Normally such bracelets sell at $40 to $60. I’m pretty sure if you are a bit patient, you can get a deal within this price range.
Good luck!
Sincerely, Editor
See lessWhy do I keep getting outbid on eBay?
Editor
As @Eric rightly noted, this happens due to automatic bidding. However, it is important to note that automatic bidding, although it may seem a very convenient tool, is not a smart choice. It inevitably leads to paying more. There are other foolish mistakes bidders make, too. For example, engaging inRead more
As Eric rightly noted, this happens due to automatic bidding. However, it is important to note that automatic bidding, although it may seem a very convenient tool, is not a smart choice. It inevitably leads to paying more.
There are other foolish mistakes bidders make, too. For example, engaging in bidding wars. If you want to find out how to bid on eBay and pay less, read this post: https://www.shopperlib.com/how-to-bid-to-win-on-ebay-3-simple-tips/
This post describes in detail what mistakes eBay bidders make, how to avoid them, and what is the most effective bidding strategy.
It is not rocket science, but you’ll be surprised how many eBay bidders make mistakes and grossly overpay as a result.
Best regards, Editor
See lesseBay – private listing – bidders’ identities protected – is it a scam?
Freddie
You know, it's not really true that all you can see is a bidder's nickname. A bidder's nickname won't tell you much. However, if you dig a bit deeper, you can see the 30-day activity summary (bid history): what number of items the respective bidder has been bidding on, the total number of bids (fromRead more
You know, it’s not really true that all you can see is a bidder’s nickname. A bidder’s nickname won’t tell you much.
However, if you dig a bit deeper, you can see the 30-day activity summary (bid history): what number of items the respective bidder has been bidding on, the total number of bids (from this you can conclude what bidding strategy that bidder employs – whether he places one bid per item or competes continuously by placing multiple bids).
You can also see what is the bid activity (in %) with that particular seller and the number of bids that bidder has retracted within a 6-month period.
Most importantly, you can see how the bidder is bidding on that particular item you are interested in.
Thus, you get a pretty clear picture of who you are competing with and what to expect.
Best regards, Freddie
See lessWhat’s the best place to buy vintage jewelry online?
Freddie
I cannot really say whether it's the very best place to buy vintage jewelry, but I have bought a few really great pieces from vintagehoneypots on ebay.de I remember one sterling silver ring with diamonds (14K gold plated) and one very impressive size jadeite jade pendant especially well. I succeededRead more
I cannot really say whether it’s the very best place to buy vintage jewelry, but I have bought a few really great pieces from vintagehoneypots on ebay.de
I remember one sterling silver ring with diamonds (14K gold plated) and one very impressive size jadeite jade pendant especially well. I succeeded to resell them at a very good profit (10 and 19 times more than what I paid for these items). So, you can find some pretty good deals there from time to time. I think it really depends on what you are looking for.
Best regards, Freddie
See less925 Sterling silver Snake bracelet with ruby on Catawiki – what’s the true market value?
GemCollector
Dear Melany, You can pop champagne for not bidding on this bracelet. 900 EUR is an insane price for it! An identical bracelet was sold on Catawiki for 62 EUR a few years ago, and that price is way closer to the true market value of this item. As ShopperLib puts it, "Informed shopping decision = GoodRead more
Dear Melany,
You can pop champagne for not bidding on this bracelet. 900 EUR is an insane price for it! An identical bracelet was sold on Catawiki for 62 EUR a few years ago, and that price is way closer to the true market value of this item.
As ShopperLib puts it, “Informed shopping decision = Good shopping decision” 😉
Too bad for the highest bidder for not being well-informed…
GemCollector
See less925 Sterling silver Snake bracelet with ruby on Catawiki – what’s the true market value?
Freddie
Dear Melany, I'm pretty sure this is not a piece of antique jewelry. It does not look like one. So, maybe it's for the best you didn't buy it .
Dear Melany,
I’m pretty sure this is not a piece of antique jewelry. It does not look like one. So, maybe it’s for the best you didn’t buy it .
See lessAre jewelry certificates issued by Westfield Jewelry Appraisers credible?
Freddie
Unfortunately, I cannot agree with @Editor that Westfield Jewelry Appraisers are always honest and consistent as far as gemstone treatment is concerned. No doubt, on most occasions they are but NOT ALWAYS. Take a look at the image I have attached here. Westfield Jewelry Appraisers have identified thRead more
Unfortunately, I cannot agree with Editor that Westfield Jewelry Appraisers are always honest and consistent as far as gemstone treatment is concerned. No doubt, on most occasions they are but NOT ALWAYS.
See lessTake a look at the image I have attached here. Westfield Jewelry Appraisers have identified this parcel of gemstones as natural emeralds with a whopping retail value estimate of $7540!
These are not emeralds. These are dyed beryls, and their retail value is around $20.
This is both very unprofessional and dishonest.