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Fakes & FraudsShould I be worried?
16th May 2018 17:40 UTCNick Gilly
I got an email today confirming that the item has been shipped, including a tracking number. The details say that it is being shipped via the US Postal Service, which seems odd. I've entered the tracking number on the USPS website and it says:
"Label Created, not yet in system
A status update is not yet available on your package. It will be available when the shipper provides an update or the package is delivered to USPS. Check back soon."
I've paid via Paypal so if it does go wrong I should at least get my money back. Should I be concerned, or am I just being a bit paranoid?
Thanks,
Nick
16th May 2018 18:03 UTCHiro Inukai
it is difficult to say whether the item is shipped or not. In my experience with USPS, the sender first creates a tracking label to inform the Postal Service that they intend to send a parcel. Once the parcel is accepted by USPS, there is a delay in the system--typically short but could be up to a day--wherein the tracking information is not updated.
As the seller may not be in the US, what is also possible is that their local postal service has accepted the package, and if it is an international shipment, it will go through customs and be received by the USPS at some future time. The local postal service informs USPS in a similar way that a domestic shipper does, and this may be the tracking number that you see from your end. But it may take some time before USPS actually receives the item, since it has to go through the local postal service.
Finally, I should note that if an international seller really wanted to scam you, they would probably ship something like rocks...oh wait, I almost forgot this is a mineral site, we actually WANT rocks. I mean, they could ship you something of no value, and then by the time you receive it, a month has gone by or something. It's not as likely that a seller would go through the trouble of creating a tracking number and not ship anything--because that's something you would notice sooner, and it's something that creates a trail of documentation that shows USPS never received the item. I don't mean to make you more paranoid, but that is the risk we all take with online buying, why it is important to do your homework and thoroughly research a seller's reputation and reviews, and to remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Good luck, and let's look forward to seeing photos your you specimens!
16th May 2018 18:19 UTCNick Gilly
I knew this was probably going to be riskier than buying from a domestic seller, but the crystals are just so beautiful I was willing to take the risk. I'll keep an eye on the tracking page and hopefully there will be an update within the next day or so.
Here's a pic of the crystals anyway, from the seller:
[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/C7IAAOSwi19a8I6f/s-l1600.jpg[/img]
16th May 2018 20:00 UTCScott Rider
The caveat is that the packages can take around 45-60 days to arrive. And, there usually is NO tracking after its left Pakistan until it arrives in the US. So there is a long period you'll get ZERO info re: the package. My last purchase, made in February, arrived last week. So it was WAY longer than the usual 45-60 days. But it came in undamaged and I got a SWEET aqua on quartz that was pretty fragile...
However, I have yet to NOT get a package since they switched from DHL. So if its not shipped via them, you should be good. It'll take a long time to get to you though...
16th May 2018 20:04 UTCScott Rider
My philosophy has changed to where I want to trade and find my specimens going forward. So I did not quit buying from them because of anything negative, I quit buying just in general so don't let that reflect on your decisions purchasing items from that country. I have had amazing luck and good fortune working with Pakistani's!!!
Outrageous price increases is my main reasoning for me quitting buying specimens. So I figured trading and finding my own specimens is the way to go, for me personally.
16th May 2018 20:21 UTCNick Gilly
I'm feeling more confident now. Thanks guys!
16th May 2018 20:41 UTCScott Rider
16th May 2018 20:45 UTCNick Gilly
17th May 2018 00:50 UTCScott Rider
17th May 2018 03:37 UTCAndrew Debnam
17th May 2018 07:15 UTCNick Gilly
23rd May 2018 13:10 UTCAlfred L. Ostrander
If you live in the UK, what would the USPS have to do with a package from Pakistan being shipped to the UK? If you are in the UK, I think you need to double check the ebay page you ordered this from. Was the price in dollars or pounds? Pages can be country specific. If I google ebay in England I get ebay dedicated to the UK. The postage rates and information relate to the Royal Mail and selling prices are in pounds. If I am on the page dedicated to the US, rates and information relate to the USPS and prices are listed in dollars. Big difference.
I will say this, as an American, if I order anything from the UK, as I sometimes do, I get entirely different service from the two postal systems involved. That is, the Royal Mail and the USPS. I have had packages from Pakistan take over five weeks. Packages from England may take 7 to 10 days.
31st May 2018 17:47 UTCNick Gilly
They really are gorgeous, a lovely pastel lilac/lavender colour. Very unusual. I would say that 3 of the crystals could easily be cut into small gems, but this is one reason why I bought them, to save them from the cutter!
I will definitely buy from this seller again if something catches my eye.
31st May 2018 21:56 UTCOwen Lewis
I also have (had) two specimens of very unattractive chrysoberyl from the Novello mine that is sold as alexandrite. One piece, showing reasonable trilling form (though surely not my best example of a trilling) I kept as 'as is' the other I had cut in two and cabochon cut - after which I was left with a couple of 10 ct-ish alexandrites, still dark and of poor colour but definitely alexandrite ;-) A pipe-dream I have is to send these back for further cutting. Cutting away some black inclusions and selecting the purest parts, I like to think that about three or four decent quality alexandrite gems of about 0.5 ct could be brought out. Thinking about that is probably more fun that would be the doing of it.
31st May 2018 23:01 UTCNick Gilly
I've seen parcels of gem rough, and that is often what they are, anhedral fragments rather than nice looking crystals. I think some of these spinels have been removed from the marble host rock as they have irregular areas on the bases, but a couple are fairly complete. The picture above gives you an idea of what they look like.
My chrysoberyl/alexandrite specimen is still in customs limbo. No leaflet from Royal Mail yet...
19th Sep 2018 19:32 UTCGreg Simmons
Can you shre what buyers you befriended that you had good success with? Would rather buy by referral than trial and error. Thanks!
19th Sep 2018 19:41 UTCScott Rider
Recently though, I have stopped purchasing minerals. I trade or find my new acquisitions now, and will probably limit my purchases going forward.
5th Oct 2018 21:53 UTCGreg Simmons
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Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 28, 2024 18:27:16