Ebay and Online Auctions Can Be A Great Way To Get Wedding and Engagement Rings at Discounts

In today's online marketplace, it is possible to save literally thousands of dollars on wedding and engagement rings. Ebay and online auctions have revolutionized the diamond and jewelry industry. Ebay is not the only online source that offers diamond jewelry at auction, but, it is one of the most well known and stable around.

As with any experience, talk to one person and they might say how they weren't super impressed with their online shopping experience. Talk with another and he'll tell you how much he and his fiance love their wedding rings, and, he'll gush about the great deal he got on them by purchasing them via online auction. That said, as with any shopping experience, there are steps you can take to help ensure yours is a successful and pleasant one.

1. Analyze the Seller's Feedback Report.
Feedback is valuable in reporting to potential customers the honesty and track record of the seller, as well as the quality of the merchandise. These reports are made when both the parties rate each other. A buyer might offer a report on the quality of the merchandise or the attitude of the seller. When reading feedback reports, look for the latest transactions and make sure there are a lot of positive reports to read, as just a handful of good quotes can be faked.





2. Invest in Fraud Protection.
Pay Pal is a very handy service because it allows you to use your credit card or bank account to purchase products and services online with ease. It creates a virtual bank account for you so that you can trade money online with virtually anyone in the world. Furthermore, some online auctions including Pay Pal and Yahoo, like most major credit card companies, provide a fraud protection plan. A complete warranty may also be available for total satisfaction on a particular product. Be very wary of anyone who insists on a check, money order, or any form of payment that could be non-refundable.

3. Contact the Seller.
Interact with the seller by asking for more information. Get more photos of the ring in question; ask specific questions about its history; its metal, cut and type of gemstone. Ask about return policies or warranties. Always check the seller's physical location. If it's an international location, don't spend what you can't afford to lose.





4. Investigate the Seller and the Market.
By closely investigating the seller as well as the market, you can examine your personal risk. For example, pay close attention to the shipping charges. Make sure the shipping prices are not ridiculously over priced. When interacting with the seller, do they seem knowledgeable about the item or may they possibly be reselling a cheap piece of merchandise they hardly even look at? Finally, study the market itself. Compare prices of other auction sellers to your potential buy. Go outside the auction and look up other rings from regular vendors or local jewelry stores. If there the buyer seems to report a lack of sales, analyze why that might be.

Treat the online auctions - even the big ones like eBay and Pay Pal - as if they were an individual jeweler to be investigated before purchase. While the company might be fair, many sellers might not be. Buying your engagement or wedding ring at auction can be a wonderful and money-saving venture, just be sure you do your homework.