While shopping for an engagement ring online can help cut costs, there are many online auction scams that can rob you of your hard earned money. The key to avoiding these problems is to learn about the types of scams to watch out for and how to avoid them.

Common Online Auction Scams

The convenience and sheer variety of things you can buy using an online auction make shopping for an engagement ring online much less of a hassle, but there are still those unscrupulous sellers who only care about making a quick buck. With that being said, watch out for these common online auction scams:

1. Selling stolen goods
2. Providing fake documents (like appraisals and certificates) to raise the cost of a ring
3. Refusing to ship the ring after it has been bought and paid for
4. Knowingly falsifying information about the ring, such as the condition of the stone, the type of metal, etc.
5. Intentionally selling a ring as genuine when it is actually an imitation diamond or other gemstone
6. Shipping an item that in no way matches the description or photographs of the ring you thought you were purchasing

While there’s no way to guarantee you will be able to avoid an illegitimate sale 100% of the time, there are warning signs to watch for and ways to protect yourself.

What to Watch For

If you take the time to do your research and carefully review information, you can avoid nearly any online auction scam that comes your way. If you notice any of the following warning signs, carefully verify the legitimacy of the ring you are interested in buying and the information the seller presents:

1. Are there photos? If not, or they are unable to be viewed clearly, the seller may have something to hide about the condition of the ring
2. Does the deal sound too good to be true? In most cases, if a ring is priced far below market value, there’s a good chance it’s not the real thing – or there’s something else fishy going on
3. Are there a variety of payment options, or does the seller only accept cash? If you are unable to use the payment method you are most comfortable with, this may signal a problem
4. Does the seller refuse to answer questions about the item? If so, it may not be legit
5. Does the seller provide detailed information about the ring and gemstone? If not, you may want to consider purchasing the ring elsewhere

If any of these warning signs applies to the auction you’re looking at, you need to do your best to verify the legitimacy of the seller. Carefully review the feedback sent by other customers, especially paying attention to any negative remarks.

You’ll also need to read the auction carefully, making sure all of your questions about the quality and condition of the ring are met to your satisfaction. Pay attention to seller’s return policy and guarantee, if any. If there are no photographs, ask for them!

If possible, use a payment method that will protect you in the event of fraud. If the seller only accepts cash or money orders, do your business elsewhere. If you purchase a ring, consider having it appraised and make sure you are able to send the ring back if the appraisal doesn’t satisfy you.

While this information may scare you away from buying your engagement ring online, there are actually plenty of deals to be had from online auction sites. If you carefully research the seller and have your purchase appraised, you can save a lot of money on a beautiful engagement ring that’s worth every (honest) penny spent!