Buyer Beware - Instagram Seller

[gwcynthia]

So I purchased a "test stone" from an Instagram seller. Test stone so I could see how different their photos would differ from what I actually received. It was inexpensive at $75 and their bio stated they were located in Peshawar so express shipping would be $30. Fair enough right,....not so much!
I paid through PayPal (thank God) on October 25th. October 31st I asked if it had been sent. He said no, had been sick, he would get it in the mail the next day. November 3rd, I inquired again if it had been sent. He said yes and provided a photo of a USPS label with tracking addressed to me. USPS...but I was charged $30 for express global shipping....uhh...nope.
When I checked the tracking, the label was created on October 31st and the package had never been submitted to the post office. I emailed the seller about it as well as the question about the shipping since it was being shipped from New York. All I received back was a "Wait I search it". Have not heard anything since.
I have submitted a complaint with PayPal...
The Instagram seller is @gems_stones_trend_
So at this point I would NOT recommend buying from them. Lesson learned!

 

[joelly]

Wow I’m sorry about this. I’m always nervous buying online.

 

[Polyhex]

If he's really shipping the stone from Pakistan it's an involved process where it has to leave the country on a courier (they don't allow gems to be mailed out) and then shipped from a second country. IF this is a legitimate situation it sounds like maybe it was going to NY in a parcel of stones and then someone is supposed to get your stone out of the parcel and ship to you from there. There is of course no excuse not responding to your messages!! Fingers crossed for a good outcome, either the stone showing up or you getting a prompt refund!

 

[gwcynthia]

If he's really shipping the stone from Pakistan it's an involved process where it has to leave the country on a courier (they don't allow gems to be mailed out) and then shipped from a second country. IF this is a legitimate situation it sounds like maybe it was going to NY in a parcel of stones and then someone is supposed to get your stone out of the parcel and ship to you from there. There is of course no excuse not responding to your messages!! Fingers crossed for a good outcome, either the stone showing up or you getting a prompt refund!

Thank you for that information! That would be best case scenario. He has not responded to me or PayPal but if he does I will update this thread!!

 

[fredflintstone]

If this was through a courier in Pakistan and then to go to USPS to finish shipping, you would not see anything from USPS until it reached the states. But most Pakistan dealer use DHL Express which carries the stone to your doorstep. Keep us posted.

 

[Nick_G]

I've bought mineral specimens from dealers in Peshawar and sometimes they go on a very tortuous route: Pakistan-Thailand, Thailand-Germany, Germany-UK. IIRC this is when they go via an international courier. If they are sent via Pakistan Post they take the direct route. Either way, it normally takes about 2 weeks. I've heard that it takes longer than that to reach the US.

 

[gwcynthia]

I've bought mineral specimens from dealers in Peshawar and sometimes they go on a very tortuous route: Pakistan-Thailand, Thailand-Germany, Germany-UK. IIRC this is when they go via an international courier. If they are sent via Pakistan Post they take the direct route. Either way, it normally takes about 2 weeks. I've heard that it takes longer than that to reach the US.

Thank you! The seller has not responded to PayPal or me. In this case I may have gotten scammed....still a small amount of hope!

 

[gwcynthia]

If this was through a courier in Pakistan and then to go to USPS to finish shipping, you would not see anything from USPS until it reached the states. But most Pakistan dealer use DHL Express which carries the stone to your doorstep. Keep us posted.

I absolutely will...still no word from the seller to me or PayPal. He has until the 19th to respond to PayPal...

 

[Kya]

I truly hope this works out for you!
I was scammed close to a year ago by a sneak on ebay who sent me a cz instead of a stone for 5,000. Thankfully I got the money back. But i cringe remembering the feeling of being duped.

Please do let us know how things play out!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I truly hope this works out for you!
I was scammed close to a year ago by a sneak on ebay who sent me a cz instead of a stone for 5,000. Thankfully I got the money back. But i cringe remembering the feeling of being duped.

Please do let us know how things play out!

On no! What is wrong with people? Glad you got you money back.

 

[Polyhex]

How is the situation going @gwcynthia? Did you get a refund or did the stone make its way to you?