Does anyone have any experience with seller es_store?

They appear to use the same photo for many of the single gss pearls, the lustre isn't great. I've seen better for less

I am curious to see what tripe pearls are - not come across those before
 
from Ebay I would never buy South Sea pearls from sellers in China. Only Pearl Society and Es-store are genuine sellers in Hong Kong. And if not satisfied you always can send back the items within their condition period.
But you have to bid often to the last seconds because it looks like that if bid is too low they bid over you in the last seconds
 
Thank you for replies, all.

Cees, what do you mean by "they bid over you in the last seconds"? Do you mean the seller does (shilling)? Or, other bidders try to snipe the auction?
 
The price per gramme for this pearl if it would go for this price is around USD 6 and that is far below the cost for a pearl farmer. And the pearl is round as it is stated the price is extremely low. The luster does not look as high as it is stated but even taken that into consideration it would be a bargain. It might go as high as 50-80 USD at the end. Depending on the market situation and the time the bidding is finishing. Some clever buyers sit by and follow the item until the end, the sellers most of the time also. I am not sure if the seller is bidding also, but they must hate to see it go for a price below their cost.
 
In the UK it is unlawful for a seller to bid - in a real auction the practice is known as bouncing bids off the wall, while it happens also on ebay. A seller here was recently convicted of bidding up his own items using a second identity.
 
Isn't that called shill bidding? But if they don't shill, can somebody maybe get pearls that are lower than their cost?
 
Those 99c auctions, if not bid up may result in someone getting something below cost. It's a chance the seller takes.

When bids show up in the last few seconds, it is not shilling, but sniping. There are programs buyers can use that set up their top bid, but don't reveal it until the last few seconds of bidding, when suddenly you are being outbid and it is too late to put in a higher bid.
 
Caitlin,

That's what I figured is going on. I've been buying (frequently) and selling (very occasionally) on Ebay, and sniping is very common. But, unfortunately, shilling is also a reality, which is practically impossible to spot in private auctions. Hopefully, though, that's not the case for majority of Ebay sellers. I've looked through es_store's feedback and some of their $9.99 auctions end at that price or slightly above. Some end higher. So, I don't think there's any shilling there.

I doubt that they are selling pearls below cost, though, which is why I am curious if anyone has bought from them and seen their product in person.
 
You might have noticed that some of the 99 cent auctions have twenty dollar shipping - so not quite the bargain, after all! ;)
 
I have bought some good pieces from es_store at very good prices in the past, however, nothing too expensive. I tend to "snipe" at auctions, and had been known to stay up late in order to do so.

However, that was a good few years ago, and I have not come across anything that I fancy lately, as in not some many bargains to be had.

DK :)
 
Take a look at these - Chinese kasumis on ebay

Take a look at these - Chinese kasumis on ebay

I took a double take when I saw these on ebay; Chinese kasumis with spectacular orient and textured skins. Current bid for these 14 pearls (12.2-14.2mm) is $128 and there are 3 days left to go...

In your expert opinion, is that a reasonable price to pay or a tad too high?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350496696510?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 

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Hi Adeline,
These are truly beautiful pearls. I wish, however, that sellers would be more honest in their descriptions. Kasumi pearls are only from one lake in Japan. These are Chinese freshwater pearls that have the appearance of kasumi pearls. They would be honest to say kasumi like. augustus-collection has labeled their offerings accurately. As for the price, I have seen them for more and for less. Good luck!
 
I agree with Marianne. I would not buy from a seller who marketed 'chinese kasumi' as it a freshwater pearl from China that wants the fame of the kasumi pearls to rub off and justify higher prices.

I do remember this summer, though, when Marianne and Pattey compared Chinese look alikes with real Kasumi pearls. It was almost scary how close they were. I know I wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

- Karin
 
Only of the made up items - they're on the website.
You would have to add shipping to the states plus any taxes etc etc etc
I would think someone besides me (and Nerida) has bought them. I've never seen a Kasumi in person, but that was the first thing we both thought last year when they first appeared (and were much more expensive then)
I've called them 'gold leaf' pearls because they look as if someone applied gold leaf to them. gorgeous
 
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