Archive for December, 2008
Buying Costume Jewelry on Ebay, Part 2
In my previous post about buying costume jewelry on ebay, I focused on what you should look for in a seller. Now it's only fair that I talk about being a good buyer -- what are your responsibilities?
Before you bid on that auction or do a Buy It Now, know what can be expected of you, the buyer.
Read the Auction Terms of Sale
I'll raise my hand and be the first to admit that I haven't always read the auction description, including the terms of sale (TOS) all the way through before bidding. And I've been lucky that I haven't made any major blunders in doing so. But I've read through enough to know that I've been fortunate.
When you place a bid or BIN ("Buy it Now"), you are in essence agreeing to the sellers terms as stated in the auction. That means how fast you need to pay, the shipping charges, how fast the item ships, the return policy - the whole ball of wax. If you don't agree with the seller's terms, do not bid on or BIN that item.
Have a Question? Ask the Seller
If you have a question about the costume jewelry item or would like to see more photos, use the "Ask the Seller" link on the auction to make your request.
However, not all sellers can be near the computer constantly. If you ask a question in the last 12 hours of an auction, be aware that you might not get an answer back before it ends.
But don't decide to bid first then ask important questions later; it's not fair to the seller or other buyers.
When You Win an Auction or Buy it Now
When you place a bid or do a BIN, realize that you are entering into a contract. You're obligated to pay for what you've BIN'd or what you've won on an auction. No, you can't just decide that you don't want to pay for it after all - or at least not without implications like receiving a strike as a non-paying buyer. Too many of those strikes and you won't be able to bid on or buy anything on ebay.
Speaking of paying...please pay promptly. It doesn't mean you have to pay immediately after winning (unless that's part of the TOS), but within 24 hours is nice. But if you are waiting to pay because you're bidding on other auctions for the same seller, let them know -- most sellers will offer a combined shipping discount. And letting them know is good manners.
Leaving Feedback
When you receive your costume jewelry item, it's polite to leave the seller feedback. This serves two purposes.
First, it lets the seller know you have received the item. Second, it helps other future buyers know what to expect for their purchases.
If for some reason you are unhappy with your purchase, though, please contact the seller before leaving negative feedback. The vast majority of sellers want you to be happy, and will work with you to resolve any issues.
Besides, if you are unhappy with something, the seller needs to know. For example, if the packaging was poor, they need to know so they can pack more carefully in the future. If you feel the item was not as described, let the seller know why.
Most sellers want to be a 5-star seller (see the next section), but if they don't know a problem exists, they can't fix it.
The Ebay Star Rating
When you leave feedback, you will be asked to rate the seller on four aspects of the sale, with a rating of between 1 and 5 stars.
You need to be honest, but also considerate. If the seller let you down in a particular area, don't leave them 5 stars on that subject; it's not fair to future buyers. On the other hand, if everything was to your satisfaction, please do leave 5 stars.
Here's the scoop on the star ratings. In past years, ebay had a problem with sellers who would automatically leave a negative rating for a buyer if the buyer left a neutral or negative for the seller. Therefore, many buyers were afraid to leave negative feedback even when deserved, for fear of retribution.
So, ebay went and changed the feedback process. Now it works not only on a positive/neutral/negative feedback, but buyers can anonymously rate (using the stars) the seller on four specific points.
Here's what ebay does with those stars. If a seller falls to an average score of 4 or fewer stars in any one category, ebay can raise the seller fees until the score is raised above 4. If the seller averages 4 stars or fewer in more than one category, ebay can revoke the selling privileges.
Be a Good Buyer
Ebay can't work without good buyers and good sellers. Both are necessary for people to be happy all around.
So to summarize, as a good buyer you should:
- Read the auction or BIN terms of sale.
- Ask any important questions before you bid or BIN.
- Pay promptly.
- After receiving your item, let the seller know if you have any concerns.
- Leave appropriate feedback based on your overall experience.
Now that you know how to be a good buyer, here are some for you to peruse.
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 SIGNED CORO Demi Parure Metallic Confetti Stones  US $9.99
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 VINTAGE PAM SIGNED BOREALIS RHINESTONE DEMI PARURE US $9.99
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 VINTAGE CORO SIGNED PEARL NECKLACE BRACELET PARURE US $23.50
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 VINTAGE CORO SIGNED RHINESTONE LEAF DEMI PARURE US $9.99
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 Vintage SIGNED 4 pc Full Parure brooch bracelet neckl US $49.00
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 Signed ALICE CAVINESS glass DEMI parure 3pc set MINT US $15.00
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 Vintage signed SHERMAN blue crystal DEMI PARURE 3pc US $13.50
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 CROWN TRIFARI SIGNED PEARL RHINESTONE DEMI PARURE US $31.00
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 VINTAGE CROWN TRIFARI SIGNED DANGLIN PEARL DEMI PARURE US $52.00
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Green and Gold Bracelet
Are you looking for a green and gold bracelet? It's wonderful at Christmas, what with two of the most popular colors around the holidays. Just add some red accents ane voila!
But when you think about it, green and gold are appropriate about any time of year. In the depths of Winter, a jewel-tone emerald color is perfect for the chilly weather.
Come Spring, peridot green is the color of the blossoming new earth. The hue is the young green of new leaves, while the gold is the return of the bright sunshine.
And Summer! A green with more of an aqua hue, the color of a tropical sea. The bright summer sun glints off the waves, looking like golden coins, lost by the mermaids.
When the cooler weather of Autumn comes the olive colors so appropriate to the season. Think of a deep olivine green, which coordinates beautifully with the gold.
So it doesn't matter the time of year; green and gold is appropriate anytime and anywhere. So enjoy!
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 Vintage LESTER GREEN Gold Tone Bangle Bracelet US $24.00
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 Pretty GREEN GOLD MARBELIZED BAKELITE BANGLE BRACELET US $52.99
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 Sperry Deco Gold Tone Bracelet with Green Rhinestones US $64.99
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 Vintage Green Stone Gold Tone Stretch Bracelet US $11.21
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 Vintage Green Gold tone Ornate Bracelet CAt RESCUE US $19.99 |
 VTG GOLD ART GLASS GREEN PINK CRYSTAL STRETCH BRACELET US $8.99
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 ANTIQUE AVOCADO GREEN GOLD BAKELITE BRACELET PRETTY US $149.50
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 Vintage Green Gold tone Demi Parure Bracelet CAT RESCUE US $19.99 |
 Vintage 30s Gold Tone Green Facet Glass Link Bracelet US $22.95
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Buying Costume Jewelry on Ebay
Buying costume jewelry on ebay is a pleasure, but can also be a peril. The pleasure is in the glorious selection of vintage jewelry from which to choose. The peril lies in from whom you buy the jewelry.
I'm writing this today because of some recent experiences that I have had, and then yesterday by a friend of mine's daughter. The experiences have been good and also not-so-good. This post is to help you find your way in the ebay maze and (hopefully) choose sellers who make your costume jewelry buying experience a pleasure.
The Auction Photos
Check the auction photos carefully, and walk away from any that don't show you both the front and back of the piece...plus a close-up of the signature (if the item is signed). Photos aren't expensive to include, and the more clear photos you can see, the better.
Then, examine the photos of the costume jewelry carefully! Do you see any areas of concern, like missing stones, a bent earring back or a strung necklace that may be ready to part its string? Unless you know how to repair jewelry, you probably want to pass it by.
The Auction Description
Read the auction description carefully. Many times not only will the seller describe the item, but also list the terms of the sale. For example, I once saw a beautiful pin that I was ready to bid on, but then noticed that the seller required immediate payment upon winning the auction. Since the auction ended during my work day, it would have been extremely difficult for me to pay the person immediately. So I didn't bid, because I wasn't able to comply with the sellers terms.
Return Policy
Many times the seller also lists the return policy in the auction description. I've given up buying from sellers who have a no returns accepted policy, except perhaps with jewelry lots that are labeled as needing repair (which I think is fair).
I've rarely had to return a piece, but there have been several "on the fence" winnings. Most have been my fault (I ignored my own rule on plenty of clear photos), but still -- a brooch that's described in the auction as never been worn, and then the back of the pin clearly shows signs of plenty of wear?
Seller Feedback
Generally, I will not purchase from a seller who has feedback under 50, because they may not be familiar enough with ebay rules, nor have good return policies, etc. Here's a story I heard yesterday from a friend of mine.
Her daughter had purchased an item from a seller who had a feedback of 10. When she went to pay via PayPal, the seller didn't have their account set up right and she couldn't get the payment through. She contacted the seller, who gave her a choice of two different PayPal addresses (not a great sign).
Finally, the seller offered to send her an invoice from PayPal...or she could send a certified check. Wisely, she told the seller she would not be sending a certfied check and asked for a PayPal invoice.
Part of this is a case where the seller did not know ebay regulations well. As of this writing, PayPal is the only form of payment accepted for auctions -- a check is a clear violation of the rules. In this case, the seller probably didn't realize it, due to being new. Which leads to the next issue....
Does the Seller Adhere to Ebay Rules?
I may be on dangerous ground here, but my concern is that if the seller breaks one ebay rule, they may be bending or breaking others. That may or may not be true, but I won't bid on any auction that violates an ebay rule.
One is directing people to their own off-ebay website in the auction description. Now ebay does have stores for sellers, and I'm not talking about these. I'm talking about sellers that are very clearly telling people to go to their off-ebay store instead of bidding on their ebay auction.
Another is not accepting PayPal as their only form of payment. I still see lots of auctions that specifically state they do not accept PayPal. And more that list checks, money orders and their own merchant accounts as forms of payment.
I know that not everyone likes PayPal. And that ebay owns PayPal, so they are getting revenue there as well. But rules are rules, and you agree to sell on ebay based on the rules (it's not like ebay hides them). If you don't agree -- then don't sell.
Is the Shipping Reasonable?
I'm sorry, but $5 for shipping a pair of earrings first class with no insurance or confirmation of delivery is out of line. I know how much it costs to ship, and it's certainly not even $2 -- including delivery confirmation. (An exception would be if the item was coming from Canada, which does cost more for shipping.)
I agree that a seller should be also compensated for their packing supplies. Say an item costs $2 to ship and the packing materials cost another 75 cents. I'm fine with that. Even throw in another dollar for a handling charge -- that's cool.
Here's another way of looking at it. Say the seller has a 5-day return policy, but doesn't reinburse shipping charges. If for some reason you had to send it back, you lose your original shipping fee, plus the fee to ship it back.
If I buy an item and it's under $50, I generally won't purchase insurance, unless the seller requires it.
Speaking of Packing and Shipping...
If the seller doesn't mention in the auction that they pack carefully, or use boxes, or something that leads you to believe they do take adequate precautions when shipping -- ask.
I've recently received an item poorly packed that was damaged. The seller says it was shipping damage and I didn't purchase insurance, so no refund. OK, but if the item had been well-packed, I'm convinced the damage would not have happened. So it's simple; I won't buy from that seller again. Not because he/she wouldn't refund (which I can understand), but because she/he didn't take care in the packing in the first place.
And Now Some Good News!
Please don't think that ebay is too much trouble to buy your costume jewelry. I've had far more good experiences than bad. And I've found some absolutely wonderful sellers who obviously love costume jewelry, describe it well and treat it with the care it deserves. These are the kinds of seller that I'm willing to spend my dollars with again.
I've gotten some great deals and have met some lovely people, so I keep on shopping on ebay. It's just a matter of knowing what "red flags" to look for.
Hopefully this has helped you pick and choose what you decide to bid on, so you can better ensure a great outcome. And now I'll throw you into the deep end of the pool, to . Take a careful look at the auctions, and what do you now see? Oh, and since you're possibly buying, check out the post on how to be a good ebay buyer.
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 Vintage Lee Angel Broochsigned 2 inMulti Rhinestone US $75.00
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 Vintage Signed Weiss Rhinestone Pin Brooch US $17.50
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 Vtg Goldtone Elephant Pin w Rhinestone Signed US $6.99
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 Large Vintage Signed Coro Rhinestone Goldtone Clip ons US $15.00
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 Large Vintage Signed Vendome Rhinestone Goldtone Clipon US $15.00
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 Vintage Signed CORO AB Rhinestone Brooch\Pin Earrings US $9.99
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 VINTAGE SIGNED ALICE CAVINESS PINK RHINESTONE EARRINGS US $34.99
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 Fabulous WEISS Signed Garnet Red Rhinestone Vtg Brooch US $50.08
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 Fabulous EISENBERG Clear Rhinestone Signed Vtg Earrings US $9.99
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Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry
Vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry is pretty easy to find. It's online and (so far) has been at every swap shop I've been to. So you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding Sara Coventry pieces to add to your collection.
Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Blue Lagoon
There's something to note, however; vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry spans a fairly wide range of styles and quality. Generally the quality is average, with some dipping below and some rising above.
One of the most noteable (and highly collected) sets is called "Blue Lagoon". Offered approximately in 1964, this set was designed by DeLizza and Elster, of the famed Juliana jewelry. It's a gorgeous demi parure, more magnificent in person. Definitely one of the Sarah Coventry pieces that is way above average!
The other set that I see being offered as a collectible is called "Contessa". While it was created as a set, I rarely see anything but the brooch (which doubles as a pendant I believe) being offered for sale. Nevertheless, it is also lovely and well-made, and it's a coup if you find it as a parure.
A Little Sarah Coventry History
Sarah Coventry started in 1949, and originally was only sold through home party sales. While that has changed due to the internet, it's still being offered by Sara Coventry respresentatives. But rather than home parties, it's more often sold at workplace gatherings and catalogs.
Sarah Coventry was founded by Charles H. Stuart, and he named the company after his granddaughter. After surviving the turbulent 1970s, when many of the major costume jewelry manufacturers (such as Coro and Hollycraft) closed their doors, Sarah Coventry was sold in 1984.
Sales stopped for awhile, then started up again in 2002, and is still in operation as I write this. Direct sales are still the main venue for selling, but also sales are made with the help of the internet.
Company Marks
There were several marks used over the years, the main ones include:
- "SarahCov", with the copyright symbol either before or after the mark.
- "Coventry" (presumably without the copyright symbol).
- "Sarah" in a diamond, accompanied by the copyright symbol.
- "SaC"
- "SAC"
- "SC"
There may have been a few others that have snuck in, but these are the primary ones you'll see.
Buying Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry
As I mentioned previously, you shouldn't have a problem finding some vintage Sarah Coventry to add to your costume jewelry collection. The next time you happen up on a flea market or garage sale, take a peek; you just might find some treasures!
The most reliable place to find a wide variety of vintage Coventry is on ebay. , which is pretty comprehensive.
You can also find some as well as some
.
And of course, a small selection of vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry is shown below. Enjoy!
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 Vintage HOOP EARRINGS Sarah Coventry Gold Jewelry Clip US $.99
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 Sarah Coventry 4 Strand 24 Silver Tone Chain Bracelet US $4.00
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 VINTAGE SARAH COVENTRY 3 FISH PENDANT NECKLACE SIGNED US $9.99
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 SARAH COVENTRY BLUE LAGOON DEMI PARURE US $39.99
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 SARAH COVENTRY RADIANCE GT SET BROOCH AND EARRINGS US $5.99
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 VINTAGE SARAH COVENTRY BUTTERFLY PIN US $.99
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 VINTAGE SARAH COVENTRY EARCLIPS GOLDTONE W BLACK CAMEO US $9.99
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 SARAH COVENTRY MAJORICA PENDANT US $4.99
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 WONDERFUL PASTEL STONED SIGNED SARAH COVENTRY NECKLACE US $2.99
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