5 Mistakes I Made Buying man in beanie hat (So You Don't Have To)

I understand the temptation. You spot a trendy piece of jewelry—like the Ingemark Simple Long Wax Line Rope Chain With Two Love Heart Pendant Necklace—and the price seems unbelievably low. Your first thought is, "Why pay more?"

That was my first major mistake. I tried to save ten dollars and ended up wasting thirty dollars and weeks of frustration. I'm sharing the exact errors I made while shopping for that inexpensive silver choker style. I made these mistakes so you don't have to.

Don’t purchase cheap jewelry until you read this guide. If you follow these steps, you will:

• Avoid being scammed by sellers who never ship your order.
• Secure a refund if the item turns out to be junk.
• Ensure the necklace doesn't turn your neck green within two days.

Mistake #1: Going for the Absolute Cheapest Option

I saw the price and clicked 'Buy' immediately. The necklace cost less than a cup of coffee. This was a huge error. When a piece of metal jewelry is that cheap, the seller cuts corners everywhere—on materials, plating, and, most importantly, on customer service and shipping logistics.

This is how you end up with an item that either never arrives or looks like it came from a bubblegum machine. Even a sharp-looking individual, like a famous man in beanie hat, understands that quality matters, even for inexpensive accessories.

Real User Feedback Highlight:
"Don’t order from here. I ordered a necklace over a month ago which never came."

The moment you see a rock-bottom price, assume the seller doesn't care if your item gets lost. They've already made their profit by selling thousands of tiny items quickly. Solving your shipping issue costs them money, so they won't bother.

Verdict: Skip the very lowest price point. Spend an extra $5-$10 to buy from a seller who offers guaranteed tracking and a return policy. A cheap price often means disposable service.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Material Quality (The Green Neck Trap)

The Ingemark necklace is described as a "Simple Long Wax Line Rope Chain" with silver-colored pendants. What is the metal? They don't specify. This is a massive red flag.

When the material isn't listed, assume it's a cheap alloy. Cheap alloys often contain metals like nickel or zinc. These metals react with your skin and sweat. The silver-colored plating is extremely thin—microscopic, really. It rubs off in days or weeks, exposing the base metal, which is what turns your skin green or black.

I should have demanded to know the specific material. If they can't confirm that the metal is Stainless Steel (ideally 316L Stainless Steel, which resists rust and corrosion) or Sterling Silver, don't buy it.

Learn from my experience:

• Super cheap plating fades within a week.
• If they hide the material, it's likely bad for your skin.
• Always look for “316L.”

Verdict: If the metal isn't named, walk away. Don't risk permanent skin irritation for a temporary trend.

Mistake #3: Not Checking Reviews for Basic Seller Reliability

I focused on reviews that said the necklace looked cute, ignoring those discussing the seller's operations. This was a critical error. The most important thing when buying online is actually receiving the product or, failing that, getting your money back.

Real User Feedback Highlight:
"I called every day for like a week and customer service said they would email my tracking number that afternoon and never did. They said this every single day I called! [...] Such a scam."

This feedback reveals a pattern of deception. The seller isn't trying to help; they're just trying to get you off the phone. A reliable seller might have delays, but they will send a tracking number. If they refuse to provide tracking, they probably never shipped the item.

Verdict: Filter reviews by "Shipping" or "Customer Service." Look for customers who successfully received tracking information and confirmed delivery.

Mistake #4: Falling for Vague Promises and Ghosting

When I finally realized my necklace wasn't coming, I tried to get a refund. This led me straight into the customer service trap I should have avoided (see Mistake #3).

Real User Feedback Highlight:
"I asked for a refund and they again said they would send me an email which I never received!"

They use promises of emails and tracking numbers as stalling tactics, hoping you'll forget or give up. The moment they break one promise—like failing to send that first tracking number email—you need to act decisively.

Action Steps for Poor Customer Service:

1. If they promise an email, wait only 24 hours.
2. If the email doesn't arrive, call them out on the broken promise.
3. If they stall on a refund, stop negotiating. Immediately file a dispute with your bank or credit card company (a chargeback).

Verdict: Stop negotiating once promises are broken. Go straight for a credit card chargeback; don't wait for their fake refund email.

Mistake #5: Skipping Measurements (Assuming Universal Fit)

The product description for this necklace calls it a "Choker Wed Y2K Jewelry." Chokers are short. They typically sit tight against the neck, usually 14 to 16 inches long. If you don't check the exact length in millimeters (mm) or inches, you risk buying a chain that chokes you or doesn't close properly.

Don’t make my mistake by assuming the size. The model in the photo might have a very thin neck. Your experience will be different.

How to Check Necklace Fit:

1. Get a piece of string or a measuring tape.
2. Wrap it around your neck where you want the necklace to sit.
3. Mark the length and measure it against a ruler.
4. Compare your measurement to the seller's listed size (always prefer measurements in centimeters or millimeters over vague terms).

Verdict: Measure your neck. Always check the exact length in millimeters before purchasing any chain or choker.

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What I Should Have Done: Choosing Reliability Over Price

After being ripped off, I realized that a successful transaction is more important than the absolute cheapest price. I should have prioritized sellers known for reliability and service. A good seller treats your low-cost order with the same respect as a high-value purchase, focusing on detail and delivery.

Positive Transaction Example:
"Your dedication and attention to detail made all the difference, and I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Here's to many more memorable moments ahead!"

This positive feedback, even if about a high-end product, shows commitment. That seller provided tracking, fast communication, and fulfilled the order perfectly. That's the experience you should demand, even for a $15 necklace.

Before buying that next trendy item, whether it’s a simple choker or something worn by a trend-setting man in beanie hat, take time to read a quality resource like the SumsFashion Review. Doing proper research saves you money and major headaches down the road.

Lessons Learned

Buying fashionable jewelry doesn't need to be stressful, but you must look past the flashy picture and focus on the logistics. If the seller can't guarantee service and material quality, they aren't worth your money.

My Three Key Takeaways:

• Verify Shipping: If the company has multiple reviews complaining about tracking and delivery, don't use them. Your necklace will become a phantom package.
• Demand Quality: Never buy a chain unless the specific metal (like 316L Stainless Steel) is clearly stated.
• Check Twice, Buy Once: Always confirm measurements (length and width) and compare them to your own body size.