I smell scam, but I am giving him the benefit of some doubt.

He wants to buy the ring I am selling, and wants it by Friday. Yeah, I have heard that before, but what about using an escrow service? How exactly does it work, and has anyone used one? Can you recommend one?

My Item for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=4950762300

Thanks from an eBay newby.

I've never used one, but eBay does have one. I'd be leary of using one that the buyer selects, and you can't find much information on.

The following is directly copied from eBay.com: (use the eBay search function and type "escrow")

********************************************
Only use www.escrow.com

An escrow service is a licensed and regulated company that collects, holds, and sends a buyer's money to a seller according to instructions agreed on by both the buyer and seller. Typically, once the buyer receives and approves the item from the seller within an agreed time frame, the escrow service then sends the payment to the seller.
Escrow is available for any purchase, but typically is used for purchases of $500 or more.

Be vigilant! Use caution when considering an escrow service

• If you are a buyer or a seller and choose to pay or be paid through an escrow service, you should only use Escrow.com (www.escrow.com), eBay's approved escrow service.
• There are fraudulent escrow services, so use caution if a seller suggests using a service other than www.escrow.com

For $5k to $6k I'd travel or have him travel and split the costs.

Cash is king no checks, (if he can write it he can cash it) with exchange of merchandise.

Wait, so he can put money into escrow, recieve the item, and then say he isnt satisfied and wants his money back?

*I have no knowledge of this service, have never used it, but that seems like it could be a problem?

If you can't meet him and ebay recommends an escrow service i would probably go with them, the only other viable alternative is a wire transfer and for him to wire you that kind of money without having a jeweler verify the ring is what you say it is probably won't happen..

On second thought.....I probably wouldn't let that ring leave my hand until the cash was in my other hand It's too easy to switch out a diamond for a nice chunk of cubic zirconium(sp) . I would fly to meat him or have him come to you and then go to a reputable jeweler together, i guess he could also have the money in escrow to show he really intends to buy it and as long as everything checks out OK he could call the escrow service in your presence and tell them to release the money.

I can fly round-trip to Las Vegas where this guy is for $300 bucks. Heck, it is $100 to ship it insured. I am emailing him and stating if he buys the airplane ticket, I will make the flight, and deliver it personally, for cash. And cash only.

Problem now is you can't always trust cash as good either.

if I was buying or selling an 8k ring I would fly to the buyer, go to a jewler with him, then to his bank to get CASH..(strapped so I didn't get robbed). I am going through this with a guy that won my hovercraft now.. he wants to bring me a bank check, I keep telling him untill I have CASH it is not going anywhere. CASH CASH CASH. a $300 flight and a wasted day is alot better then taking a 8k hit

And it's Vegas