Well, I asked seller for the address to return the opal to. He responded, informing me in spanish something about how the color flashes don’t always show and telling me to send photos of the opal before he will discuss a return.
I feel like this is disingenuous game playing. He is the one who posted the enhanced photos and sold me an item that looks nothing like them and that is certainly not worth over $500. Now on top of my having to deal with that, he is acting like I need to prove something to him, instead of apologizing.
Instead of going down that road, I told him again the opal is not as portrayed, and that I need the return address to avoid a Paypal case and poor review.
He answered, repeating that I need to send pictures, in daylight.
I no longer trust him so instead have reported the issue to PayPal. At this point, I can not recommend this vendor.
Ugh. Lots of documentation to track down for the PayPal’s resolution center and it’s not very user-friendly, either. I am so annoyed.
Thanks, Fred Flinstone. I did file with PayPal and included his and my photos and messages. I agree that I'll probably win with PayPal. I'd be very surprised if I didn't.
This one is not quite like European water opal, it may be Mexican fire opal, which should be more stable than water opal. But this one really doesn’t look good. Returning it is a good option.
Update: Paypal refunded my money for the water opal.
I had checked the box "return for a refund" but wasn't asked to return it, probably because the seller didn't respond to PayPal. I doubt I'll ever do anything with it, it but it's nice to avoid the hassle of an international return.
I'll have to be sure to look at Etsy seller return policies more closely in the future. This one said something about return policy being listed with the item, but then I don't think anything actually was listed with the item.
Anyway, thanks for the input, everyone. Much appreciated!
Alien or Underwater Opal?
I posted the other week about buying a really unusual opal and it arrived today and it's safe to say that it's blown my socks off! I am absolutely in love with it! It's 3.65ct and on the small side at 12 x 9 but I will be putting it in a ring setting - just no idea the style at the moment...www.pricescope.com
The vendor has good reviews and lots of them so I was surprised, not only at the huge variance between all of the vendor pics of the stone and its actual appearance in real life, but also about him arguing with me about it, when I received it and contacted him. He had a third chance to work out the situation with PayPal but did not reply to the case at all.
I would have just returned the stone for a refund. Or considered exchanging it for a different stone at first, but I can't deal with someone who insists that obviously highly inaccurate pictures are actually accurate and fair.
It's a shame my transaction went the way it did. But I'm glad yours worked out for you, anyway.
Number one importance, never buy an Opal on pictures. Always ask for a video if none is offered.
Also, hate to be a snob (not really) but most people have never bought a top Welo Opal or seen one. I may get flack for this but nevertheless, unless you've had the best, the rest are mediocre, and the only way to know that is through much experience or a honest vendor