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Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settings?

J

jerichoheart

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 15, 2012
Messages
41
Hi everyone!

Well, I ALMOST bought a setting today for my sapphire.

I got another price quote from an eBay seller today that was over $200 less than the identical LOGR setting. They asked me to do the transaction outside of eBay (so did LOGR, though). When I received the invoice, it was for "services" not "goods." PayPal won't cover you for transactions that are services -- they will only cover you for goods. So, I sent him an eBay message and asked them to send me another invoice for "goods" instead of "services" and explained that PayPal would not cover me for services. They wrote back and said that they were honest sellers and trustworthy, and to please pay.

Do most of the sellers on eBay who have the China-based jewelry settings send invoices for "services" rather than "goods?" I just want to make sure this is a normal practice and not a scam. Does it save them money/taxes or something? Just trying to figure out their motivation. It's $365 that I am sending them with 0 protection -- as eBay won't cover me nor PayPal. They only have 13 positive feedback, but the feedback they do have raves about their rings. I'm thinking it might be an offshoot of jewelryhoo/lan.bo? Their name is diamondjewelry8.

Not sure what to do..so tempted because it's $200 less.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I wouldn't. You don't want to lose your Paypal protection.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

If they only have 13 feedback, Paypal may be doing that 21 day hold on them. It's not your problem. It's the sellers.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I'm conservative, but I'd say their response would be a major red flag to me. If they are willing to lose the sale over it, I would say it was probably a good thing and that something likely would go bad with the transaction (e.g., what if it was the wrong size? setting? metal?) and you'd have no recourse. I wouldn't do it, but maybe someone else here has worked with them under those circumstances...
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Wouldn't do it.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I find overseas transactions stressful enough. Something like this wouldn't build my confidence or trust in the seller at all, especially with so little feedback or recommendations from others.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Agree with above advice. This sounds sleazy. Big risk of losing more than the $200 you would "save" with these people.

--- Laurie
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I don't think a $200 savings is worth the trade-off of eBay's protection. I might if it's someone I've dealt with in the past frequently though.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I know there is often language/translation issues, but to me, that would not be something I'd do off eBay and outside of Paypal protection. A $200 savings could be a PLUS $XXX money loss, over all!
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Ok, thank you all so much. I just sent them another message and told them that I had to buy it through ebay or else I couldn't buy it at all. I did notice that LOGR does the same thing, though. They ask to take the transaction off ebay and then they do the invoice as "services." Very scary, as that means neither PayPal or eBay covers you at all. But, LOGR has at least built a good reputation and we know they stand by their word on refunds, etc.

Definitely felt like a red flag, but I was so excited about saving $200 that I wanted to ignore it. Thanks for being the voice of reason :) If he's willing to lose the sale over the eBay/PayPal fees, then you're right -- probably wasn't going to end up being a good transaction anyway.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

With LOGR they always refund so I have usually completed a transaction outside of Ebay when they've requested it. I wouldn't do it with an Ebay seller who I didn't know BUT they are mostly owned by the same people so it may be that they are ok but I wouldn't risk it.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I know I probably shouldn't have, but as an eBay seller, I know the fees can be extremely high -- so I offered them $10 more to do the transaction ON ebay. They accepted! So, I just purchased it from them!

Their communication has been GREAT. We've sent about 12 e-mails back and forth so far and they have answered immediately. I sent them pictures of my sapphire which the gemologist described as a "cushion oval." The ebay sellers looked at the pictures and told me they are confused, as they believe it is an oval -- not a cushion, and want to make a setting for an oval. What do you all think? I'm confused again. They've asked me to send additional photos.

I've also included a pic of the ring setting I purchased (which is in an oval shape)

img_0.jpeg

__kgrhqjhjbwe_kh_k3ovbqlkb_fs-q__60_1.jpg
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

The good thing about eBay is that everything is negotiable so I'm glad that you managed to pocket the savings AND get the eBay protection. Based on the picture shown, it looks like the oval setting might fit. It's interesting that their oval setting looks more cushiony than ovally. :lol:
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

There's no such thing as a cushion oval.

A cushion cut is like a rectangle with the corners rounded off. Typically it has straightish sides, top and bottom.

An oval has rounded sides all over.

So if you look at your stone it displays characteristics of both BUT the term cushion oval isn't one that anybody will recognise! I suspect that the oval setting will work but the only place you may have issues is from 10-11 o'clock, 1-2 o'clock, 4-5 o'cock and 7-8 o'clock because your gem is straighter than a class oval. So what will happen is that your gem will hang over the setting a bit and MAY cover the side stones.

If you get a setting for a cushion cut then the top and bottom won't be the right shape at all and I suspect the fit will be much worse than trying to use an oval setting.

Hope that helps.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

That helps a ton! Thank you both so much! I had never heard of "cushion oval" before either, but that's what the gemologist put on the report (perhaps he was just giving a description, and I misunderstood it as a classification). After reading what y'all wrote and looking at the setting, I can see exactly what you're talking about.

I really like this seller so far. He has been wonderful and extremely thorough. He has asked multiple people (designers, etc.) and they have decided to go with an oval setting. I don't know how the quality of the work will be, but so far I'm impressed with his communication and thoroughness. I'll let y'all know when I receive the setting how it all turns out, but so far they've been wonderful! Thanks again for all of your help and advice!
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Jerico - who is the Ebay vendor? I bet he's one of the "regulars"!
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

It certainly sounds like one of the PS eBay regulars to me too.
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Their name is diamondjewelry8 on eBay. I agree -- I think it's a newer offshoot/side-store of one of the "regulars" -- I just can't figure out which one! They have the same/similar settings as the other ebay setting sellers in China. Besides them asking for an "outside" eBay payment, they have been WONDERFUL to work with. I can't wait to see the quality of their work! Since I've never purchased from any of the other eBay setting vendors before, I'll have to post pics so y'all can give me your honest opinion, and help me determine how their quality of work compares.

These are some of their lisitngs: http://www.ebay.com/sch/diamondjewelry8/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I'm pretty sure that's Lanbo - or it may even be LOGR! If so, you're in safe hands!
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

I agree - calling something a cushion oval is like calling something a square trillion - definitely confusing!
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Glad you are going the 'legit' route of eBay! And I love your setting - your stone will look amazing in that setting :appl:
 
Re: Is this normal behavior for eBay sellers and ring settin

Thank you, Enerchi!! :) I'm so glad you think so! My sapphire is not very sparkly, so I decided to put some sparkles around it to make it brighter & more fun! I hope it will work out & look good! :)
 
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