Let’s talk Reviews for a Minute
Diamond Buyer Reviews are not always what they’re cracked up to be. Of course there are many legitimate reviews for everything on the web, but there are also those that work hard to appear true to their word. From car dealers to drug stores, reviews and review sites are plentiful.
For people selling diamond jewelry or loose diamonds and are looking for the best option, here are three things to be wary of:
- Sites that offer a limited number of reviews
- Sites that are specifically reviewing diamond buyers
- Sites that use a rating system but have only 4 or 5 top cash for diamonds type of reviews
- Sites that have a limited number of links to other non-authoritative sites
- These links will usually be going to one of the top sites they have supposedly reviewed and rarely do they have links to their own listing at the BBB
- On the BBB site you can see how real customers rate the fake reviewer. Of course they could also be selling adds, those too are considered links
Keep in mind that the fake review website may actually be owned by the diamond buyers who want to purchase your item.
These practices all serve to rob you, the seller, of an unbiased opinion regarding where to turn to securely sell your piece of diamond jewelry for a fair value.
This article is not about legitimate reviews that you might find on site like Angie’s List that tries to keep reviewers honest. This is about companies that trick the search engines to ultimately give you, the seller, a much less accurate picture of where is the best place to sell your diamond.
It’s a matter of Trust
Trust begins at the time you start looking for someone or somewhere to sell your diamond jewelry. Ultimately you are looking to receive the best value for your piece, and the best way to do that is to enlist the help of a professional in the industry. This professional should be a partner that will listen to your needs and ultimately yield you the best value for your item.
Diamond jewelry is often sold above the actual market value. Often the owner of a piece of jewelry places a higher value on it because of how much they admire it. Items are often worth only what somebody is willing to pay, which can be beneficial if it is unique to the person that wants to buy it.
Making the deal
It’s important to remember that there are two kinds of salespeople. One wants to sell a product that you want and may need. The price is the price, that’s it. You have shopped every store looking for the best deal; it’s simple. There is no pressure.
The second type simply wants to sell you something and will sell it for as much as you’re willing to pay. They will also do anything possible to convince you to sell and will apply all types of pressure to get you to do so. There is a difference between making an educated decision to buy, and being bullied into the sale. (I would call that type of salesperson a shark but it would be an insult to the sharks.)
When you’re selling a precious item like a diamond ring, the roles are now reversed; the salesperson is the one doing the buying. Many are trying to pay the least amount of money possible, and do not have an interest in what’s best for you.
You deserve the best price you can get. Which starts with finding a company to work with that does have your best interest in mind and is not just offering a “fast cash” deal. In order to do that it requires some real research on your part.
The Value of a Diamond
Diamonds can be very valuable, and determining that value is extremely important. While diamond buyers are usually better able to make that assessment – they may not break the numbers down and give you the best guidance on how to yield those values.
When it comes to non-commodity items, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Yet there are guidelines and rating systems for determining the value of a diamond. There are assessments that need to be done and it is best to work with a professional in the trade who will make that assessment, and go over it with you in detail.
Back to Reviews
If a company or related companies work hard to trick the system and the web-searching consumer, would you trust that they would treat you fairly during the transaction as well?
It’s not uncommon for people and businesses to try and beat the system. Let’s face it; buyers and sellers in the diamond business do not have the greatest of reputations to begin with.
At the end of the day you are an individual that is not in the trade. You’re simply trying to sell a diamond ring or a piece of diamond jewelry.
It might be an engagement that just didn’t work out. Or maybe you went through a divorce and you want to rid yourself of the memory. Possibly you have some diamond jewelry that you’ve collected over the years and just want to sell it for some extra money.
It really doesn’t matter why you want to sell your piece, but one thing is for sure… You should be able to trust that you’re getting a fair deal for your item.
Here are 5 steps to take that will help you gain certainty that you are selling to a trustworthy buyer
- If you’re looking at Diamond buyer review sites, especially those with only 5-10 buying companies listed, make sure the listed sites are not affiliated. Often times 3 or 4 of the sites listed are owned by the same company. (note: this type of site is built specifically to improve search traffic and are in serious violation with the terms of service for Google and Bing.) Can you trust a company who intentionally violates those terms?
- Look to the Better Business Bureau. Make sure the business is Accredited and take the time to look at their rating. Read the complaints regarding that company, it can tell you a lot. Those complaints come from real customers who have experience with the diamond buyer in question.
- Look at the reviews at Angie’s List. Those reviews can only come from people who have used the particular company in question. It’s not like Amazon or eBay. I buy from Amazon all of the time, yet I can review products that I have never purchased.
- Get more than one opinion on your piece and make sure those opinions are from a certified GIA gemologist.
- Don’t simply trust blog posts like this one. True research is your best bet to ensure you are getting the most for your diamond. “Gut” feelings about sites or specific companies will serve you well.
It’s all a matter of trust.
