While shopping our eBay listings, you can expect to find high quality items at a reasonable price. We offer many unique items and some not so unique items. No matter what you win, we are sure that you will be pleased with your purchase.
Our customers are number one!
We value each and every customer. Whether you buy items of lesser or greater value, makes no difference to us. Our customers are our first priority. We work very hard to provide you with a safe and enjoyable shopping experience.
Keeping your information private & secure:
All of our auctions are private auctions. We do this to protect our bidders. This has become necessary due to a few that have sent our bidders unwanted solicitations and SPAM in the past. Dakota Exchange takes your privacy very seriously!
Reserve price auctions:
Some of our auctions may have a reserve price. Some items may have the reserve price listed in the item description, some may not. If you would like to know what the reserve price is for a particular item, please send us an email and we will gladly divulge it.
Return Policy:
Please contact us with your issue FIRST.
Items not as described - return to us within 7 days of receipt, in same condition as received. All paperwork sent with the item must be included.
Items damaged in transit will be replaced or money refunded.
As described & undamaged returns - subject to a 10% restocking fee.
Buyer pays return shipping costs.
Shipping & Handling:
Our stated shipping and handling price is firm. We use USPS Priority Mail for most of our items. If a buyer wants an item sent USPS Overnight Express, the cost will be $19.00. This will only be done at the buyer's request.
Shipping and Handling charges are based on the cost of postage charges (usually starts at $4.60 for Priority Mail and 65¢ for Delivery Confirmation = $5.25 total - if the larger box is needed, it usually starts at $8.10 + 65¢ = $8.75) and insurance based on the final value of your purchase.
USPS Insurance Rates Are As Follows:
$1.65 ................ $0.01 to $50
$2.05 ................ $50.01 to $100
$2.45 ................ $100.01 to $200
$4.60 ................ $200.01 to $300
$5.50 ................ $300.01 to $400
$6.40 ................ $400.01 to $500
$7.30 ................ $500.01 to $600
$7.30 plus $0.90 per $100 or fraction thereof over $600 to $5,000.
UPS rates vary by weight, value and destination.
Registered Mail to Canada varies according to destination, weight and product value. The base price for Registered Mail is $10.15 and the price goes up depending on what services are added. *NOTE: Registered mail requires special packaging materials that cost far more than the materials used to send US orders. The required tape alone is $33 per roll and that roll doesn't go very far.
** According to USPS International Manual, Code 130:
Coins; banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; traveler's checks; gold, silver, platinum, manufactured or not; jewelry; and other valuable articles may be sent ONLY in registered items.
Exceptions:
Coins sent to or from collectors or dealers may be mailed in ordinary (uninsured) parcels.
Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Express Mail International shipments to Canada.
*** If we do not follow this regulation and there is a need to file an insurance claim, the claim will not be covered and customs can also hold us for breaking the international mail laws which is subject to fines and possible jail time.
Shipping Discounts:
We are happy to provide discount shipping on multiple item purchaes. Our disount works as follows:
United States:
$10.00 for the first item, depending on what it is, few are more than $10.00.
$2.50 for each additional item.
Canada
Shipping is as listed in the auction. For multiple purchase discount, figure the highest shipping price of the items purchased, plus $2.50 for each additional item.
** There are no shipping discounts available for jewelry box purchases. **
We, usually, only provide this option for items bought within a 3 day timeframe but if you request more shopping time, we are glad to accommodate you.
When you are done shopping, please let us know so that we may send you a corrected invoice to reflect the proper shipping discount.
** When you order Black Hills Gold, each listing states which company makes the item. If you have a multiple item order and there is more than one company listed amongst all of your orders, your order will come in more than one package. **
Canadian Orders - Duties, Tariffs, Taxes And Etc...
Due to customs, Canadian customers ususally are required to pay some form of duty, tax and/or tariff when receiving items from the US. Customers are solely responsible for the payment of these additional fees when they receive their package.
Local Pick Up
We do not have a brick and mortar store or another safe place for our customers to pick up their items in person. For this reason, we do not allow local pick up.
Your Questions And Emails Or Phone Calls:
We welcome your emails and phone calls and encourage you to ask questions before you bid or buy. We want you to feel confident that you know what your are getting and/or that if a problem should arise, that we want to work it out so that you are happy.
We get very busy and would like to ask you to please check the item descrition thoroughly, read over this "ME" page and check the Q & A information we have provided when you click the "ask the seller a question" button, first. Many of the most frequently asked questions are answered in these places. If your questions have not been answered through these avenues, then please feel free to contact us.
We ask you to do this for only one reason. Getting packages to our customers, in a timely fashion, is of high priority to both, our customers and us. If we become to busy answering questions that have already been answered, we can not get packages into the delivery system.
Black Hills Gold
We are very proud to say that we are retailers of Coleman, Landstrom's, South Dakota Gold and Wheeler's Dakota Gold & Silver (BHG style). Our relationship with these four very reputable companies allows us to offer buyers a large variety of high quality jewelry, while we keep the prices reasonable. When you purchase our Black Hills Gold Items, your purchase is covered by one of these companies' guarantees against defects in workmanship.
All of our Black Hills Gold products are straight from the factory, brand new and never worn. We also have most any size you might need. All of them come with a certificate of authenticity.
If you see a Black Hills Gold item with a gemstone and you like the style but would prefer a different stone, please email us. Several items are available with many different stones. We will make every effort to see that you get the stone you would like. If it is available, we would gladly set up a private eBay auction that only YOU would be able to bid on. This will guarantee you get the item you desire without someone outbidding you.
BHG Jewelry Weight:
From time to time we are questioned about the weight of our Black Hills Gold jewelry. Our Black Hills Gold jewelry is a work of art and is sold as such. We do not weigh our Balck Hills Gold.
Carat Weight Of Gemstones:
Every now and then someone wants to know the carat weight of our Black Hills Gold gemstones. We give the carat weight of diamond jewelry but we do not on gemstones. We only give measurements of gemstones that are not diamonds.
Conflict Free Diamonds:
All diamonds in Landstrom's Black Hills Gold Jewelry, South Dakota Gold & Wheeler are conflict free. This means that their diamonds do not originate from coflict countries. These diamonds are of certified origin which are guaranteed not to be obtained through the use of violence, human rights abuses, child labor, or environmental destruction. These diamonds are individually tracked through their full chain of custody to ensure that ethical practices are used in mining, cutting, and polishing.
In addition, conflict-free diamonds are mined in an environmentally responsible fashion.
These same three complanies only use diamonds that are NOT enhanced. They are naturally beautiful diamonds.
Ring Sizes:
All ring sizing in the below listed ranges is complimentary:
Ladies: 4 - 9, including half-sizes - unless stated otherwise
Men's: 9 - 14, including half-sizes - unless stated otherwise
Larger or smaller sizes than what is listed in the auction require a $25.00 resizing fee. Extreme sizes are $35 extra. For this reason, we ask you to contact us if you need a size outside of the above ranges. We will need to create an eBay auction for you that accommodates your special order and sizing fee.
* About Black Hills Gold Jewelry Products And The Creation Of The Black Hills Gold Design *
Rings:
Almost all of them are 10K yellow gold with the BHG design on them. That is 10 and 12K solid gold. (Some wedding rings are 14K and 18K gold.) Those that are BHG on sterling silver have sterling silver shanks.
Pendants:
The BHG design usually lies on 10K gold unless the pendant is quite large and not very expensive. Gold is so high, that this is a dead giveaway. The chains are usually 14K gold filled unless otherwise specified. Once again, BHG on sterling silver comes on sterling silver chains and have a sterling silver base.
Lockets:
The BHG design usually lies on gold plated or gold filled base metal. If it is not indicated in a listing, please check what category it is listed in.
Earrings:
The posts, backs and wires are 14K yellow gold. The design is most always 10K yellow gold with the 12K BHG gold design on it. BHG on sterling earrings have stainless steel posts and backs or wires. The base of the earrings are sterling silver.
The accents, grapevines and clusters are always 10K yellow gold.
When it is BHG on Sterling, it is pretty obvious which parts are gold. It is usually the leaves and they are 12K gold.
Money Clips:
Usually are gold plated or gold filled base metal with the BHG design on them of 10K gold grapes and vines and 12K gold leaves. Some are created with a baked on black powder over the original base.
Watches:
They vary and usually have additional info about the bezels, bands and etc. within the description.
How Green And Rose Gold Is Made:
Black Hills gold Jewelry is 10 Karat gold accented with 12 Karat rose and green gold leaves. The rose and green gold are made with alloys. Gold and silver alloys with a small amount of copper tend to be green. Gold and copper tend to be rose in color.
Our Black Hills Gold On Silver Products
All of our silver is sterling silver.
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (.925) metal. This standard is used to assure consistent quality among sterling products. Silver that is not "sterling" or ".925" has less pure silver content and will often be darker in color and less shiny. Sterling is 92.5% pure instead of 100% pure in order to achieve the requisite hardness and stability to resist wear and tear, and hold its shape.
Black Hills Gold Legend
According to legend, the Black Hills Gold design was created by French goldsmith, Henri Lebeau. Many years ago, the young Frenchman designed and made jewelry in Paris. After he perfected his method, he came to America. During the 1870's Gold Rush, he decided to go to California and make his fortune. When he reached the rugged Black Hills of South Dakota, he became lost. He wandered for days without food and water. Lebeau fell asleep and had a dream of a mountain stream with grapevines growing on the banks. Upon awakening, he walked over a rise and found the stream and grapevines just as he had dreamed and out of gratitude, he dedicated his life and talents to creating jewelry in the shapes of grape clusters and leaves fashioned in rose, green and yellow gold. The familiar design is almost the same today as it was a century ago. Today, each piece of Black Hills Gold Jewelry is manufactured through a series of up to 40 different steps and are necessary to capture the same dramatic detail. Each tiny leaf or swirl is made with infinite care. The perfection of detail requires that artists spend from one to eight hours creating a single piece. The exquisitely beautiful tri-color gold jewelry is custom made in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Legend also has it that good luck comes to all who wear Black Hills Gold Jewelry!
Shady Brady Hats
We are proud retailers of Shady Brady hats. We are so thrilled to add this wonderful product line to our store. Featuring raffia straw hats and beautiful hat bands, we are sure you will be able to find just the right hat for you. These hats are guaranteed by us for 7 days after purchase. Shady Brady guarantees the crushable hats (code 1-WW) for one full year after purchase. So, once again, you have a double guarantee on your purchase of these lovely toppers, depending on your style choice.
About Us:
You may bid and buy with confidence on items from Dakota Exchange. We are an eBay PowerSeller. PowerSellers are highly regarded at eBay. Also, we are ID Verified. This means that an independent third party, hired and trusted by eBay, has checked out our information and have found that we are exactly who and what we say we are. We are also a licensed business in South Dakota.
Detailed Seller Ratings & Their Importance
Dakota Exchange states in their TOS, on their ME page and in their FAQ's most all of the information needed for buyer's to know what to expect when buying from us. Our processing time, costs, shipping methods and etc. are very clearly stated so buyer's should not experience unwanted surprises. We would greatly appreciate it if this information is taking into consideration when being evaluated for DSR's. Thank you in advance for working with us on this issue.
Please use due diligence when leaving DSR's for all eBay sellers. Before leaving DSR's, please make yourself aware of the seller's TOS and other information provided in the listing. Most of the information you are evaluating is noted in the listing. Most sellers will give you shipping time information and other valuable info in their TOS, sometimes in their FAQ's that are noted before buyer's ask a question and even on their ME pages. Be sure to check these sources for this information and apply the appropriate DSR's only after knowing the information provided by the seller.
Buyer's have been told that 4 stars indicate that the item was described accurately, that they were satisfied with the communication, that the seller shipped quickly and that the shipping charges were acceptable. From the wording of the allowed ratings a buyer would never know this. Most would naturally assume that a 4 star rating is a very good rating. Read more at the below link:
http://reviews.ebay.com/WHAT-DSR-RATING-SHOULD-I-LEAVE-A-SELLER_W0QQugidZ10000000007671961
Sellers have been told that if they get any less than an average of 4.3 in ANY category, they will get their selling priviledges suspended for 30 days This is a complete contradiction to telling the buyer that 4 is "good". Read more about it at the below link:
http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ/#4
With eBay penalizing sellers with less than a 4.3, it appears that accurate descriptions, satisfactory communication, quick shipping, and acceptable shipping charges are indicators that this is a POOR SELLER.
DSRs of less than 4 mean that a seller is not eligible to become a power seller, their items will get buried in search results (receiving less exposure), and they will not be eligible for listing fee discounts.
So for sellers, ** anything less than a score of a perfect 5 in every category puts them closer to a suspension. ** The length of suspensions vary but are not less than 30 days. During this time, eBay states that a seller needs to work on bringing their DSR's up. A seller can not do anything to bring their DSR's up when they are suspended so they are left to beat their heads against a wall.
A lot of sellers are now including information about DSR ratings with their shipments because they were getting many buyers thinking that they had left a good rating when in reality, those ratings were sometimes cause for the seller's suspension from Ebay!
The shipping cost and time DSR's are a tough one but we would like to remind you that seller's do not control what the post office, UPS or other delivery services charge them. When rating this aspect of the transaction, please do so knowing what the delivery service charged the seller and then make a decision on it. Shipping is not cheap nor is it free for the seller. If the seller charged actual costs or less, they deserve no less than 5 stars. If they charge a small handling fee to cover packing materials they should also be rated fairly.
Shipping time should be judged according to the seller's TOS and a long estimate of the delivery service. Processing times vary from seller to seller due to many things, including the type of item they sell. If a seller gets your item to you in the timeframe they state in their auctions, they deserve no leass than 5 stars. A seller does not control the delivery service nor can they be held responsible for delays by them. All a seller can do is get the item out in the time they state in their TOS.
Example:
The above instance happened to us and the buyer dinged our stars and left less than a positive comment for us. We could not help that USPS misrouted the item. In fact, for several days we did not even know where the item was. We only knew that we sent it. It took the item 15 days to be delivered after we sent the package.
Power sellers get a discount on their fees based on their DSR scores. So a rating that lowers a DSR score by 0.1 can sometimes cause a big financial impact to that power seller. Click the below link to read about it.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/seller-dashboard.html
If you want to keep your favorite seller's on eBay, please leave them 5 stars on their DSR's.
People often ask how I named our store.
Many think it is because we are located in South Dakota.
Well, that is only partly right.
The true reason is because of my father.
In World War II, the soldiers that were with my father always called him Dakota.
My father was a machine gunner and spent time in Normandy (he never spoke much of this and when he did, you could tell it hurt him).
My father also raised 7 kids and spent many years helping care for my grandfather. That was not an easy task when you are a road construction worker in South Dakota. The weather here is not always accommodating to construction jobs. In the winter, when there was no road construction, he would remove snow for different businesses and some sections of highway. He was a very hard worker!
When naming the store, I couldn’t think of a more honorable name than Dakota because I think my father was the most honorable person I have known, besides my mother.
My father will always be the reason for the way that I think. He taught me some very important lessons and I adhere to them because he was right on the money all of the time.
So I named our store to reflect my love and appreciation for a great man that I was so very blessed to be raised by.
My father just passed away after a very long fight with lung cancer, the morning of 01-29-08. It may be hard to believe but he didn’t even take pain medication until the last few days before his death. The doctors thought he should have been taking it almost 2 years ago. He was a strong man and he never asked for help with any other of his life struggles so it really should have been no surprise that he didn’t want or expect help with the pain.
I will always miss my father and I will always cherish his beautiful memory.
Below is an edited clip of his obituary from the local newspaper.
Sioux Falls - Jacob "Jake" Jacobson, 82, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at Royal C. Johnson Memorial Hospital (VA).
Jake was born in Sioux Falls on October 02, 1925. He was raised in Humboldt by Antone and Jen Bucheim. He was educated in Humboldt.
On December 08, 1943, Jake joined the US Army. He saw active duty December 29, 1943 with the 758th Artillery Bn. He received is military training at Fort Cook, Nebraska. He was a heavy machine gunner 605. His campaigns were Ardennes Forest in France, the Rhineland in Germany and Central Europe. His fellow battalion members nicknamed Jake, Dakota.
Jake married Joan W. on May 04, 1954 in Worthington, Minnesota. They were married for 53 years and 8 months. While times were not always easy, many times were happy and beautiful. They shared an incredible love for each other.
He worked as a heavy equipment operator doing road construction and snow removal. He last worked for Don Oberg Construction in Colton until ill health forced his retirement.
A love for animals was apparent when Jake would bring home small animals and birds in his lunchbox after work.
Jake was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2006.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Jacobson, Sioux Falls, SD; four sons, Randy (Mary), Neal (Karyl), Glen (Kim), all of Sioux Falls and Jacob D. (Angie) of Marion SD; three daughters, Brenda (Cory), Sioux Falls, Deb (Jim), Hudson SD and Nancy M., Colorado Springs, CO; one brother, John (Wanda) Barnhart, Sioux Falls; a sister, Liz Haffner, Sioux Falls; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
Jake was preceeded in death by 3 sisters and a grandson.
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