If you’ve ever attempted to sell platinum, gold, or diamonds, you know exactly how stressful and taxing the process is nowadays. There’s nothing worse than selling a prized ring or necklace to a pawnshop only to see the proprietor make a 10x return on the item a few days later.
In this regard, there are thousands of complaints filed each year with The Better Business Bureau in contestation of shady, misleading, or flat-out deceitful dealers, which is why the onus is on you to ensure you’re working with a reputable, trustworthy merchant as opposed to some fast-talking con artist.
Fortunately, you can use this brief exposé as an introductory guide to understanding the ins and outs of today’s aftermarket jewelry sector, which will surely come in handy if you make the decision to sell your valuables later on down the road.
Licensed and Accredited
Regardless of where you happen to live, it’s in your best interests to work with a renowned jeweler that is endorsed and certified by the proper regulatory agencies. This will help you separate the contenders from the pretenders early on during your research. So when you visit the website of a proclaimed jewelry expert, be sure to check for the following accreditations:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA)
- Jewelers of America (JoA)
- Manufacturing Jewelers Sales Association (MJSA)
- NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
You should also make sure the company’s website is protected by Norton’s Verisign to ensure a safe and protected browsing experience.
Experience
If you’d like to get the biggest bang for your buck without sacrificing customer service and professionalism, you should avoid working with pop-up pawnshops, brand new merchants, and recently incorporated dealerships. Instead, you should set a strict rule of only partnering with firms that have been in the business for 20+ years. Believe it or not, this is the easiest way to avoid the hoi polloi commonly associated with selling jewelry nowadays.
Easily Accessible Customer Reviews
If you’re attempting to sell diamond ring ornaments, high-end watches, or any other type of expensive jewelry item, you should go out of your way to ensure that every company on your shortlist is able to procure first-hand accounts, client testimonials, and past customer reviews at a moment’s notice. So if you can’t find easily accessible evaluations from true-to-life former clients, feel free to skip that particular firm and move onto the next one.
Comprehensive Mail-In Kits
If you’d like to avail yourself of a lucrative appraisal for the best payout on your items, you’ll be best served by working with a jeweler that can facilitate personalized mail-in assessments. In this regard, be on the lookout for the following features during your research:
- Fee-free and fully insured kits
- Professional description and analysis of your items
- Comprehensive estimate of each item’s worth
- Valuable cash offer for your items (if you choose to sell)
- Easy-to-use online request portal
If you adhere to these guidelines and recommendations, you’ll be able to land a fantastic price for your goods, regardless of where you happen to live. Plus, you might even be able to establish a long-term relationship with a friendly local jeweler in your area, which is definitely worth its weight in gold!
