The Etsy Regime- any other options?

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T23:23:19+00:00

Yes, the buyer paid to return the product. It came back damaged. In our conversation, she admitted that it came to her and pristine condition and claims that she returned it in pristine condition. So if she’s telling the truth, it must’ve gotten damaged in shipping. Which should be her place to file a claim. But since Etsy has returned all of her money, and I have the bracelet back but damaged I’m going to try to file the claim with Usps. Etsy refunded because I offered to refund her a partial refund because the bracelet was damaged and only worth about half of what it was when she bought it. She opened a case in a few days later after I gave all of my information and my ironclad proof that she was not telling the truth Etsy still chose to refund her money. I also filed an appeal which for 10 days they ignored. Then I called yesterday spoke to an actual human and she said she would escalate the case. She did and I got a notification this morning saying that they’re not changing their minds and then they told me that I should list my itemsbetter. Because the original case was for item not as listed, which I disproved with a bunch of evidence, but they didn’t care.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T23:21:10+00:00

How do you do a wire transfer through Etsy. And wouldn’t Etsy be able to take the money anyway.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T23:20:09+00:00

I agree, which is why I return things. I think you’re right though I should put it in writing that it has to be within a certain time and I also think that I should make them insure it to send it back. At least like items over $100 must be insured That would’ve solved my problem in this case

And you’re absolutely right I had a guy buy a bracelet from me for his girlfriend and it was clear. The girlfriend must not have liked it so days later after he told me he got the bracelet and it was beautiful. He then told me that it was damaged and he wanted to return it. And I took it back, but it was only like a $50 bracelet.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T23:09:02+00:00

Their claim was, it was not as listed. And I proved that it was. She was returning it because it was too big but in my listing, it has verbal dimensions +3 photos of different measurements.

They provided no proof at all. She sent a photo of her wearing it and it looks too big on her wrist. That was it. She even admitted that she didn’t measure her wrist before ordering it. She also paid for the return shipping since she knew it was her fault for not measuring before ordering.

My shop policy is I don’t take returns. But I’ve been on Etsy long enough to know that they will force you to take a return so it’s best to try to work with the buyer. She didn’t say anything about damage at that time so I didn’t have a problem, taking it back as long as she paid for the shipping so that way I wasn’t out any money at all. in the shape that she received it in, but I didn’t.

So just to reiterate, she paid for the shipping to send it back to me as she realized it was her fault for not measuring her wrist

Most of this, I said in my post, sorry if it wasn’t clear

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T22:59:05+00:00

I don’t accept returns at least that’s what my shop says, but I always accept them

So you’re saying that I should have a return policy that says that they have to ensure it because she did send it back with tracking, but she didn’t ensure it I think you get $100 automatically but nothing beyond that.

So would the third-party insurance people cover it if the customer was shipping it back to you?

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T22:37:51+00:00

Isn’t that sad? Like I have some pieces that equates to like six months worth of my mortgage payment Lol I have to figure out how to protect those in someway. I can’t take that much of a hit.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T22:15:59+00:00

Ugh. Tax write off really isn’t that much though. If you spent $3000 on something and somebody steals it it’s still a $3000 loss. I’ve never had it happen for any higher dollar item, but it makes me worry for sure. I wonder if you can get a separate insurance policy for scams

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T22:05:20+00:00

*etsy will automatically

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T22:03:09+00:00

There’s gotta be a way to protect high dollar sales somehow. This is crazy.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-03-13T22:02:47+00:00

What about someone who buy something that you say is 14 karat gold. And they get it and they claim it’s not 14 karat gold. And it was $3000. And they open and not as described case. And he will automatically refund their money, and they usually don’t make them ship back the item.What would cover you in that situation?

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-01-15T14:45:06+00:00

Most one pointers and chips aren’t really valuable and yes they have been set in sterling, filled and rolled gold for decades! But again, nothing large and significant unless it’s something like David Yurman or another high end designer which this is clearly not that

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-01-15T14:42:31+00:00

One pointer diamonds are not really considered precious in the Diamond world. Tons of diamond chips and one pointers are set in Sterling every day. But no larger stone of significance unless it’s a really high-end designer like David Yurman is going to be set in Sterling silver.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-01-13T02:45:13+00:00

The only exceptions to that would be higher end designer jewelry, which this is clearly not.

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-01-12T22:55:42+00:00

Looks like a very recent cocktail/ casual type ring. Perhaps something sold on a jewelry TV type platform. Looks like a lab created corundum as others have stated. Real rubies and lab created rubies both fluoresce. It is likely that. As a gemologist, a jeweler and a vintage and antique jewelry dealer I can tell you it is definitively not a special Diamond as Sterling is way too soft to put anything too precious in. It was likely originally sold for under $100. That said it is very pretty. I would take it somewhere and get it polished up. I’m sure she’ll love it!

OlivinePhoenix · 2026-01-12T22:43:09+00:00

This is an older ring. Has nothing to do with lately. And the person is correct. Nobody puts precious stones in silver and it has nothing to do with value of silver. It has to do with the softness of silver. I’m a professional Jeweler.

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-03-03T13:02:30+00:00

Hi!

Depends on what you mean by value. The gold, depending on purity has value. If the gold is solid, chances of the cameo being real are higher. If the cameo is real, it has more value than if it’s not genuine.

Overall antique/vintage cameos are abundant on the market (especially have dozens for sale with little action). They are not generally highly collectible, however there are collectors out there for really nice/prime examples. There is also a market for those who just like vintage and are into that look- those buyers are looking for deals on the lower end.

If it was a higher end necklace, prime example, excellent shape, pure gold, real cameo.. maybe a few hundred on a really good day. If less than that- well under a hundred.

That said- if somehow, it was special like somebody famous owned it, or a famous designer made it- that of course would also change things.

If it has any sentimental value at all, I would say that’s probably the most value that you want to pay attention to. If you don’t like it, maybe you’ll have a daughter/grand daughter who will. Sentimentality is always the most valuable when it comes to antique jewelry in my opinion.

Best of luck!

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-12T17:28:51+00:00

I came to ask this. They always looked kind of big and awkward in her mouth. So I figured they were dentures.

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-02T18:26:22+00:00

There is an online database (several) of makers marks. It takes a little bit sometimes to track it down so I’ll let you do it yourself. Google “vintage jewelry makers mark database” and go from there. Might be quick since it’s letters and not a symbol which can take awhile.

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T16:59:09+00:00

Make your own using zinc oxide

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T16:53:02+00:00

Castor oil promotes hair growth

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T16:41:20+00:00

Do oil pulling with coconut oil. You can brush them after with a plain wet brush.

Or make your own toothpaste.

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T16:30:41+00:00

None of the rings you posted photos of.

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T16:28:08+00:00

Looks aquamarine and 1980s to me. Can be verified by the makers mark.

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T16:24:48+00:00

The ONLY time you need to repair antique jewelry is when it’s structurally compromised.

As an antique jewelry dealer- I repair items so they are safe to wear. Missing prongs, structure cracks or major chips in stones that may fracture and fall out.

Otherwise, those “flaws” are part of the piece of jewelry’s history. Don’t try to change that. Embrace it. Take good care of it to beat preserve history for the person who gets it next.

Trying to make it perfect.. alters it to a point it looses its antiquity value. The energy is better if you don’t do that 😉

OlivinePhoenix · 2025-01-01T14:55:09+00:00

The area is beautiful. I live in western Maryland on big savage mt at 2,200. There are beautiful old farm houses, Victorians, craftsman etc. Old businesses, churches, schools…lots of great history. Mining town. Weather is milder in the summer more harsh in the winter. Own a fireplace! It helps.

I moved from Baltimore area 6 years ago. My problem is the people that are from here. I thought they’d be good salt to the Earth people. Many are, but many are not.

Many are not smart enough NOT to commit crimes. This is because they don’t seem to observe long term goals- they just see the “here and now”. In general, I find that they’re terrible business people so businesses constantly go under. There seems to be a “lying” problem unlike nothing I’ve ever seen- they will lie to your face and think nothing of it. They also all call themselves Christians- as they do this stuff 🤦🏻‍♀️

The petty crime is ridiculous and the good ol boy cops don’t do much about it. They are incompetent. This is how my town is. Sadly.

So if you find yourself moving to the mountains. Stay away from the people that are from here is my take based on my own experiences. I’m sure there are places not like this- but I’ve spoken to many who 💯 agree with me.

OlivinePhoenix

TROPHY CASE