Getting the most $$$ for jewelry

[Moonracer]

OK, times are tough and I have to resort to selling some jewelry. None of it is spectacular, just some 14k or sterling items with small stones in them.

Does anyone have experience with selling jewelry? Those "cash for gold" places have popped up all over, but there is just something so icky about them. Is there a better place to go? Pawn shop? Retail jewelers?

Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

[merk]

I wouldn't use any of those mail in things - they claim it's insured, but how do you prove how much your stuff is worth if it goes missing?

My guess would be the best thing to do would be to take them into 2-3 local jewelry shops and get them appraised.

[Moonracer]

Yes, the mail-in place is known for only giving you a very, very small fraction of what your jewelry is worth. I really need to get as much as possible (which isn't going to be much in the end). Don't you have to pay for appraisals?

[merk]

not sure if you have to pay or not. I'd just look up a couple of local places to you - see if they have any feedback on yelp/BBB and give them a call and ask.

[Moonracer]

Yeah, actually, I suppose I could ask for a recommendation on where to sell the jewelry. Couldn't hurt to ask, right? Thanks Merk.

[skannie]

What about ebay?

[merk]

I'd be very careful with ebay. Because even if they pay you first, if they pay through paypal they could send you the money, wait to get the jewelry and then file a complaint with paypal claiming you didn't send it, or it wasn't as you advertised. If you go through ebay, make sure whoever you deal with has a lot of positive feedback ratings and/or get them to send you a check/money order (and wait for it to deposit before sending anything).

[Moonracer]

I need to get the money sooner rather than later and I've never used ebay. And to be honest, I'm so stressed right now, the idea of trying to learn makes me queasy.

It's definitely a longer-term option, though. I have other stuff that I've been meaning to put up there, so maybe if I can get thru this current crisis, I can do something about it.

Thanks.

[Tituba]

Also, if it doesn't sell, you stil owe Ebay fees for posting it. PayPal has a policy of holding disbursement of funds for new people up to 30 days. If you are in a hurry, try a pawn shop

[Moonracer]

On my list of places to try!