What are the pricing expectations on preloved items?

[FightGravity]

I'm hoping to crowdsource some wisdom here: what is the typical/reasonable pricing structure on preloved items on loupetroop and diamond bistro? E.g. 90% of retail? 70% retail? 50% of retail?

I would have guessed that pricing would be lower than on consignment sites, since the pieces aren't vetted, but it seems like seller expectations on DB and LT are pretty high. I'm hoping to find some preloved pieces, and don't want to offend anyone with what they see as lowball offers!

 

[OreoRosies86]

If I am being honest, some of the prices I see on DB and LT are crazy. The appraisal value is not what you can expect to actually sell a used item for, and while it would be nice to get all the money back you spent on something you only recently purchased, you shouldn't expect the buyer to willingly pay the same for a used stone or ring.

It would also be wise to make sure the viewing public doesn't have access to the original sale price of an item if you're going to add hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to your listing!

IMHO unless a ring is inherently valuable/rare, you should be starting at 30% off what it would cost new and make sure buyers know there is room to negotiate.

 

[minousbijoux]

I agree with Elliot completely (plus, I'm in love with Oreo). It also varies depending upon what the item is. I notice that if its a venerable name, e.g., Tiffany's, Cartier, etc., there seems to be no significant discount, particularly if the item is papered and there is known provenance.

My knowledge is pretty much limited to colored gemstones, and I can say that if an item is a sought after stone type (Mahenge spinel, sapphire) precision cut by a lapidary of some reputation, then the item may even go for more than original price. Do not pay any attention to appraised value. For colored stones, depending upon its sale price, I would insist upon a lab report from a reputable lab. One interesting thing I've observed: pre set colored stones (iow, already set rings and pendants) tend to go for significantly less it seems. This may be because the stone is perceived as used because its been preset, or it could be that the style of the setting may limit interest (or both). I only know that I have had to sell preset pieces at significant discounts - like 50% - to generate interest. Again, it depends on the quality. HTH.

 

[FightGravity]

Thanks for the info! I see a lot of pieces posted in the 80-90% of retail range, and I imagine I would offend people if I offered a little more than half that...but yes, 50% retail is at most what I would expect to recoup if I sold any of my pieces on my own, rather than consigning.

 

[manderz]

Personally, I would NEVER buy something used at 80-90% of retail. At that point, I would rather just buy new! Especially things like rings that would have to be sized, because after that, you're nearly at the retail cost for something that you had to have modified to work for you.

 

[marcy]

I think 50% is fair.

 

[kenny]

When buying I expect 10%.
When selling I expect 1,000,000%.

 

[FightGravity]

Haha Kenny, don't we all...

 

[Dancing Fire]

For a branded stone (i.e...WF, Wink, GOG, BGD) maybe like 80% of retail??..since most of the PS vendors will pay 70% cash for their own in-house stones..

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ideal cut (and great GIA XXX) and superideal cut stones will sell from 75-90% of retail especially if they were bought from respected PS vendors. I think the same for branded pieces like Tiffany, Cartier, etc. and other designer pieces if the pieces are desirable and in great condition. I think superideal cut diamond jewelry may also fall in that range. Settings often go for half of what they retail for unless it is a high end setting by someone like Victor or Steven, perhaps. I have sold a couple and that is generally what I hope to get. Other jewelry that is not high end can vary a lot depending on what it is. I would certainly offer 50% of retail on jewelry that is not in the above categories. However, if the list price is below retail already, I would offer more than half. Every piece is different, though.