Buying jewelry online has its advantages but it can mess you real good if you don’t know how to stay safe while at it. This is because the internet is a hub of scammers who will gladly run away with all your hard-earned money and disappear into thin air. Fortunately, you can mitigate the risk of buying jewelry online to a greater extent by following a few tips and tricks outlined below.
1. Get to know the seller
Don’t be fooled by the glitz and glamor on the online store. Even thieves know how to make their items appealing. Conduct a thorough background check of the seller before making the purchase. Things to lookout for include:
• Length of time in business
• Reviews
• Return policies
• Any membership with jewelry trade associations
• Location of the seller
• Secure transactions
• Shipment details
2. How is the payment method?
When you visit any jewellery online Australia company, you will automatically come across the methods of payment accepted by the firm. Ask yourself, “Does the company accept credit cards?” If yes, “Does the credit card company provide recourse when the purchase fails to go through?””Is it safe to transact using a check or money order on the website?” Seek to answer all these questions before making the purchasing decision.
3. Ask for a grading report
This is especially true for big metal purchases and pricey jewelry items in general. They should come with an independent grading report that shows an in-depth analysis of the stone’s 4Cs. This is where you know if the item is high-quality or not. You may need to enlist a 3rd-party assessment service provider to help analyze the grading report for you.
4. Look out for counterfeit websites
Third-party merchants who sell counterfeit goods on the internet are now commonplace. Amazon suffers from this all the time. The rule of thumb here is to always proceed with caution. Think twice about paying money for extremely cheap jewelry. Apply rule number 1 here and get as much detail about the merchant a possible. Ask lots of questions and trust your instincts.
5. Be skeptical of online reviews
Many jewelry online Australia websites are filled with fake 5-star ratings. It’s an unlawful business gimmick that gets them the attention of their targeted sellers. To be on the safe side, be skeptical of every review you read on the store’s website. Instead, focus on its social media accounts as these are rather interactive. Here, you will get an honest opinion of users.
While shopping for jewellery online Australia may never be 100% risk-free, these tips go a long way in bringing the risk down substantially. It will give you a better online shopping experience.
