Perspective – Is Selling Gold Jewelry on Craigslist Worth it?
Weigh the risks before you sell your jewelry on Craigslist
We make trade-off decisions every day: “Sleep another 10min and skip breakfast?” “Pay $0.05 more per gallon, or drive across town for cheaper gas?” “Sell my jewelry to a jewelry store, or try to get more on Craigslist?”. So, which one should you chose? Selling your jewelry for retail prices on Craigslist and other online local classified sites can sometimes get you 10-35% more, but you are likely trading off time, convenience, and, maybe most importantly, safety.
A quick Google search for Craigslist crimes results in countless scams and news stories on the subject. A few short days ago, a would-be thief was convicted for attempting to steal jewelry from an unsuspecting Craigslist seller who was just trying to get more cash for his gold than the local jewelers were offering him. And, he’s not the only one, KCRA reported over 2 years ago that Northern California in particular is a Craigslist crime hotspot. These hard times mean more bad guys are out trying to steal things like jewelry. So the question is: is the little bit more that you can make selling it to a stranger worth the time and risk?
We can’t answer that for you, but if you do decide to take the risk and sell your jewelry on Craigslist or similar sites, we recommend you take the following precautions.
General safety precautions:
- First NEVER, NEVER, and NEVER meet an unknown buyer in your house. Personal safety and protection against robbery should be your first priority.
- Meet the buyer in a public place like a restaurant or shopping mall.
- If you don’t have a way to meet the potential buyer at a public place, then do not sell your jewelry through the Craigslist.
- The buyer’s bank is a good public location because if they wish to buy the jewelry they can go and get the cash now and finish the transaction. In addition the bank should have some security in case something goes bad.
- Some other safeguards are notifying someone you can trust of the time and place of your meeting.
- Check in with that person after the meeting.
Fraud should be next on your mind:
- Cash is the best transaction. Checks of all kinds (personal, cashiers checks, money orders, etc.) can be fakes.
- Be aware of switching of jewelry. Con-men are good at this and they use Craigslist very effectively.
- Know your jewelry. Recheck it when they hand it back.
- Don’t take risks just to make a little more on the sale of your estate jewelry.
- Trust your instincts.
- Keep diligent and alert.
- …read even more safeguards and tips on our selling jewelry on Craigslist tip page.
If you don’t want to take the chance selling on Craigslist or another online local classified site, Arden Jewelers provides a safe and secure place to sell your valuables. The jewelry never leaves your sight and the appraisal is done on the spot. You don’t have to mail it away and lose control of the jewelry.The assessment is always obligation-free. Then if you want the cash a easy transaction from is filled out and you get the cash. It is easy and safe. Risk free now takes on double meaning. Come by Arden Jewelers today.
