Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

Know What You're Buying

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Categories: Messages and statements; Experiences and daily life; Human nature

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Maybe it's time to reconsider selling my silver. I literally throw it away or donate it. Some pieces escape the purge and get transformed into jewelry or other items. I have more than a thousand rings, bracelets, earrings, keychains, and other trinkets made from flatware alone! You thought I meant real silver? That's so funny! I mean silverplated junk.

I'm the person who wants to be on the other end of that theoretical equation, to scoop up real silver when people are figuratively throwing it away. Because they do, by not knowing what they're selling. But that's another story altogether.

Regarding precious metals, buyers religiously fall prey to anything said to be real. Sellers embellish their lies with XRF and other modern technology hype. Pictures sometimes show the not-precious-metals hallmarks. Does SILVERPLATED not succinctly say the item is silverplated, or were the capital letters confusing? Still, buyers eat it up!

To confess, I've been uncertain, but not enfeebled, about some purchases. That comes with the territory. Best case, it's pennies on the dollar; worst case, a refund.

As long as the item is described properly then it's a success. When the only logical explanation is that the seller lied, for whatever reason, they have drawn first blood. Optimists often excuse these behaviors, like all is well or it's an "honest" mistake. It's far from that.

When in doubt ask for more information, right? Wrong! Many sellers are wholly incapable of answering the most basic and simple questions; some can't even use a ruler or scale. Asking questions could alert them about the true value and, poof, it's now 10x more. I've lost count how often this happens. Where's my commission since I "made" easy money for them.

I used to warn buyers - a.k.a. victims - of their impending doom. Pointless. Their responses were a combination of doubling-down or saying 'it' didn't matter. The 'it' was undefined but I have some ideas: overpaying by a factor of infinity; knowing they got totally scammed; they were too lazy to research the item. Selling platforms took extreme measures to stop me, too. Go figure.

If buyers deliberately choose victimhood through their indifference or ignorance then they should fully suffer the consequences of their ravenous idiocy. A fool and his money are soon parted. IMHO, they should be fined an exorbitant amount in addition to their losses. (Forget tariffs, let's implement a stupid tax!) Yes, blame the victim - or at least hold them accountable for their blindingly poor decisions - in these situations. Still, the bad guys deserve a judicious, uncompromising application of Hammurabi's Code times infinity.

Since buyers rarely report fraud, why would scammers stop? There's an inexhaustible pool of people to pick from. For that matter, I could forego the truth and be a millionaire with all the silver I throw away! If caught I'll just pick from the best lies I've heard.

Posted by M: November 1, 2025

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