Thanks jazz77!
I find it easy to buy on Ebay, (particularly jewellery) but haven't ventured into selling yet -
guess it's time
Looking for advice on selling jewelry.....
- Thread starter Haute to Trot
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
I find it easy to buy on Ebay, (particularly jewellery) but haven't ventured into selling yet -
guess it's time
I have fallen in love with LOVE on this site and received my first LOVE bracelet back in November when my DH purchased the RG plain one for me while we on holiday in Abu Dhabi --- SO HAPPY!!!
I have decided I need another ---- I have looked at the wonderful pictures on this forum and can't quite decide on a plain WG -or- another plain RG -or- WG with diamonds -or- RG with diamonds.
My question is about how to sell some of the pieces I have in order to finance this new need.
I'm particularly interested in hearing from my fellow Canadians.....Candice0985 and surfergirljen live near me - I would not be surprised if we have passed each other going in or out of Tiffany's in Toronto!!! I even have the same SA as Jen - Tamara!!!
Most of the pieces I want to sell in order to purchase my new LOVE are from Tiffanys.
Do you find that ebay is best? - or kijiji ?(which is apparently owned by them) or are there other sites that I could use to sell my pieces?
I appreciate any feedback that you TPFrs could offer...........and thank you all for making me realize that loving jewelry is a GOOD thing
I've sold lots of branded jewelry on eBay with lots of luck.
I'd say put a listing on both eBay and Kijiji/other local selling sites. I've had luck selling on eBay and Bonanza (though Bonanza is a lot slower when it comes to jewelry). And as a fellow Canadian, I also always check out Kijiji and UsedOttawa (since I'm in Ottawa) for deals on jewelry. I've bought a lot of fine jewelry this way and I like that it's local and I can check it out first. Good luck!
I have had pretty good luck with buying things on kijiji as well (can you tell that I am much more comfortable buying than selling?!)
I will have to check out Bonanza and I should research to see if we have something comparable to "UsedOttawa" here (I'm in London)
thanks for taking the time to share your tips
I sold three cartier love bracelets with the every other diamonds to a great jeweler...but he was here in Houston. I do believe he buys from all over the place though. He gave me pretty close to retail. I also sold him some other things. Might be worth a shot and you don't have to go to the hassle of photos, listing, fees etc....
Oh, and I had shopped my pieces around and have sold tons on eBay as well...all good options!
That is an interesting coincidence! I'm going to be in Houston (just overnight, sadly) on our way to Hawaii in January ---- too bad the layover isn't longer.
Am I allowed to ask if your Houston Jeweler has a web-site?
thanks for the suggestions
I have listed a few pieces of jewelry on eBay before but have never been satisfied with how much they sell for. The pieces I sold were pretty much brand new since I never wore them and now I am afraid to list anything else. How much is too low for selling a piece of high end jewelry? What percentage of the retail price do you expect to get when selling online?
"In the old days" before people used the internet to sell jewellery, one was pretty much limited to selling to jewellers (or pawn shops) - at that time you could only expect about a quarter of the retail value (25%).....if that
Being online (IMO) has really enhanced the ability to sell lots of things.....
Having said that, my original question, to the members of the forum, was to ask for suggestions on ways to sell things.......
I would be interested to know the average percentage (of retail price) that people expect to receive when selling ..... whether online or in other ways-
I really don't believe that there's an average percentage that a seller can expect to receive when reselling high end jewelry online. I do believe that it depends mostly on the buyer. I'm a firm believer that there is a price that the right buyer will accept. It's just a matter of waiting for the right buyer to come along...
For example, I sold my 0.12 ct Tiffany & Co. DBTY necklace on eBay for $600... from which eBay and PayPal took their fees. So, from a $795 necklace (retail), I sold it for about 75% of retail value before fees were taken. Granted, it had only been worn a couple of times and was in perfect condition.
On the other hand, I currently have a $363 Adina Reyter 14k necklace listed on eBay that I'm unable to sell for $200. I refuse to lower the price because after shipping and fees, I will end up with less than half of what I paid. Again, this necklace was only worn a couple of times and is in perfect condition.
I think that this shows that it's a buyer's market... and that sellers can only sell the items buyers are looking for at a price the buyer is willing to pay. Otherwise, it takes patience to wait for that "right" buyer to come along...
For example, I sold my 0.12 ct Tiffany & Co. DBTY necklace on eBay for $600... from which eBay and PayPal took their fees. So, from a $795 necklace (retail), I sold it for about 75% of retail value before fees were taken. Granted, it had only been worn a couple of times and was in perfect condition.
On the other hand, I currently have a $363 Adina Reyter 14k necklace listed on eBay that I'm unable to sell for $200. I refuse to lower the price because after shipping and fees, I will end up with less than half of what I paid. Again, this necklace was only worn a couple of times and is in perfect condition.
I think that this shows that it's a buyer's market... and that sellers can only sell the items buyers are looking for at a price the buyer is willing to pay. Otherwise, it takes patience to wait for that "right" buyer to come along...
You said you were looking to sell Tiffany pieces, so I will echo what most others have said - Ebay is your best best. If it's a super popular piece and you have the box and pouch, you'll do well. I have sold some rather oscure Tiffany pieces, however, and was disappointed by the final auction price.
I agree with Peacefulmommy, set the price at what you're willing to accept while taking into account what you will lose through fees/shipping (if you don't charge for shipping). I had a piece of jewelry that I wound up getting 75% of what I paid for it, but it took months and I had to turn down people who were offering to buy it for less.
But I also have had jewelry that sold the very first time I listed that I was able to sell for more than I paid for it, which worked out to breaking even on what I paid after the fees were deducted. (The brand of those pieces is well known for substantial price hikes).
Thanks so much for the advice!! When it comes to selling Tiffany items on ebay, could you advise me on how you manage the auction?
For instance .... if you were hoping to sell something for $200, would you --- say - list it at $100, have a buy-it-now option for $200? or start at $1 and put a reserve of $200?
Any thoughts and tips would be greatly appreciated
Thanks so much for the advice!! When it comes to selling Tiffany items on ebay, could you advise me on how you manage the auction?
For instance .... if you were hoping to sell something for $200, would you --- say - list it at $100, have a buy-it-now option for $200? or start at $1 and put a reserve of $200?
Any thoughts and tips would be greatly appreciated
If it is a designer name and I am asking for less than current retail, or it is a desirable discontinued item/current item that price increases have allowed me to list for more than I paid, then I would still list it either starting auction price at the lowest price I am willing to sell it for with a buy-it-now that is reasonably higher OR I list it just buy-it-now at the lowest price I am willing to take for it if I want it to sell faster.
As a buyer, I don't like auctions with reserve prices because I don't like the guess work. I want to know right away whether I'm willing to spend that money or not, so I run my auctions the same way. If the bidding goes higher than the minimum I'm willing to part with it, then good.
If I wanted to sell something for $200 then I would list it for $200 and wait till the right buyer came around. I like to check completed auctions of similar auctions to see if my selling price is reasonable. Check out the ebay subforum for more ebay specific advice!
I agree about the reserve bid option. It has always frustrated me when I was trying to purchase something.
I had not realized there was an ebay forum and will certainly look there. Your advice is straightforward and logical. Sometimes I tend to over-think things
Thanks for taking the time to respond!
Hi Zarina! Just saw this... I have a feeling maybe you just bought something from me too!
I love ebay. Have had 99.9% great experiences! And yes the more pictures and documentation you have the better! Huge world wide market available to you too! Make sure you get tracking and just be careful to get signature and insurance... I've heard of some scam artists on ebay but knock on wood have not had any in my path. I think generally paypal IS on the buyer's side if the ebay subforum here is any indication... so just be careful who you sell to over $1000. Make sure it's someone who's honest and who has been there a while and is really well rated.
The problem with Kijiji is you have to meet the person in person - which in the case of pretty much anyone here would be fun of course! But I'd be really afraid of meeting some creep who knows I'm packing Tiffany's, KWIM? LOL. I listed something on ebay that another Toronto TPF'er saw and she asked to meet me in person at Starbucks... somehow knowing she was on here made me much more comfortable! We had a lovely coffee together. But I'd NEVER meet someone at my home. Too sketchy!
People also love the "make an offer" function so use that! Makes them feel like they got a great deal!
Good luck!! Feel free to ask more questions Canadian to Canadian!
ps you'll do well with Tiffany's - if you have the receipt or proof that it's authentic you should be just fine! Even having the receipt that says a silver piece has been polished there would probably be helpful as they wouldn't polish a fake.
I love ebay. Have had 99.9% great experiences! And yes the more pictures and documentation you have the better!
Huge world wide market available to you too! Make sure you get tracking and just be careful to get signature and insurance... I've heard of some scam artists on ebay but knock on wood have not had any in my path. I think generally paypal IS on the buyer's side if the ebay subforum here is any indication... so just be careful who you sell to over $1000. Make sure it's someone who's honest and who has been there a while and is really well rated. The problem with Kijiji is you have to meet the person in person - which in the case of pretty much anyone here would be fun of course! But I'd be really afraid of meeting some creep who knows I'm packing Tiffany's, KWIM? LOL. I listed something on ebay that another Toronto TPF'er saw and she asked to meet me in person at Starbucks... somehow knowing she was on here made me much more comfortable! We had a lovely coffee together. But I'd NEVER meet someone at my home. Too sketchy!
People also love the "make an offer" function so use that! Makes them feel like they got a great deal!
Good luck!! Feel free to ask more questions Canadian to Canadian!
ps you'll do well with Tiffany's - if you have the receipt or proof that it's authentic you should be just fine! Even having the receipt that says a silver piece has been polished there would probably be helpful as they wouldn't polish a fake.