One of the reasons we added EMS Estates – Jewelry Appraisals to our list of appraisal services in Portland is the expertise behind it. Elizabeth, the person behind this jewelry appraisal service, has been in business for a long time. 

Before even becoming a gemologist, she already had 15 years of experience in high-tech consulting. After that, she pursued a career in gemology at the Gemological Institute of America. 

Having a degree in Graduate Gemology is one of the most prestigious credentials one could have in this field. Just judging from this, you can already tell that Elizabeth is quite credible. 

When we interviewed her clients, most of them were pleased with her appraisal. They said it was quick but informational. 

The clients got their jewelry back faster than they expected. Furthermore, they were able to learn the history behind it. 

We also found that a lot of the people who went here did so to get family heirlooms appraised. They said that EMS Estates revealed a lot about the origins of their heirlooms besides appraising them, which only added to their satisfaction. 

To add to that, a lot of their clients also mentioned the fast booking process when we talked to them. We ourselves found it quite easy to book on her website and noted that Elizabeth was quite responsive.

In our experience working with her, we also particularly appreciated her taking the time to explain the process of appraisal. This helps clients set expectations, which is especially valuable when you’re new to how this works. 

Anyway, while there are a lot of things to praise this jewelry appraisal service for, it’s important to consider that it is a pricier option than others. The rates at this service are slightly above the city average.

When we interviewed the clients who took their business to Gary Germer & Associates, most of them praised them for their honesty.

It should be expected that an appraiser should do honest work, but it’s worth mentioning it for this appraiser because of how many people said it. 

So, what caused so many to mention it? Apparently, a good number of them found that the people working at this place were honest about whether they even needed an appraisal or not. 

Aside from that, a lot of people noted that the information given about the items being appraised came from a clearly educated point of view, which they liked. 

Clients also talked about how fast they responded to inquiries. Even if it’s quick, they gave an informative answer that made the client make a wiser decision moving forward. 

We think it’s because the appraisers at Gary Germer & Associates are so experienced and educated that they can give feedback in a matter of a day or two. 

Clients were also pleased because the appraisers had a great attitude that made them feel welcome to ask any further questions. This is important in ensuring clients are pleased with the service. 

At any rate, while there were a lot of people who were satisfied with the quality of service that they experienced here, it’s important to note that there were a few who felt it could be improved. 

For example, courtesy wasn’t always present at reception or when they took calls, apparently. That being said, this is a minority report, so take that into consideration.

We found that the main reason clients have a pleasant experience at Pacific Gem Lab is the appraisers’ great attention to detail. 

We received a lot of feedback that the appraisers managed to explain each item’s components. This means that depending on the item, the appraisers were able to explain each part of the item’s history, not just it as a whole. 

They also gave a detailed history of the item and special details that clients wouldn’t have known otherwise. 

In addition, this appraisal service has a quick turnaround time, so clients leave the place feeling even more satisfied. Some clients’ concerns were easily answered in a span of a few hours, even up to the paperwork. 

We found that this fast process is the same thing for walk-ins, so you don’t have to book an appointment to expect a fast turnaround time. However, we think it might still help to be sure that you’re guaranteed a spot. 

Moreover, parking  is easy here, so that’s another point in this service’s favor. 

Overall, the services, the appraisers, the customer service – they were all great. One thing we want them to improve is their website, though. 

While it’s informative and easy to navigate, the design isn’t great. It looks slightly outdated and makes them look less credible than they are. 

If you specifically need a diminished-value appraiser, this may be the entry for you. Ken Nix, the person behind Diminished Value of Oregon, has more than 30 years of experience in the automotive business. 

Having a background in sales, Ken knows what’s going on in the market, which gives him additional insight. This helps him provide a wiser, more educated appraisal. 

When we asked the previous clients about what their experience was like here, a lot of them mentioned that Ken and his team gave them a lot of smart advice: when they followed this advice, they got a much better appraisal. 

Another thing that clients appreciated about the appraisers here is how hardworking they are. There were even accounts of Ken talking to the clients for hours to explain details thoroughly. 

They also noted that Ken’s familiarity with the insurance claims system helped them with their specific cases. This is obviously of most value to those who need appraisal for something like auto insurance.

In any case, while there are a lot of things to highlight when it comes to this diminished-value appraiser, we still found a few clients who weren’t pleased with the service they experienced. 

A few of them mentioned how frustrated they were with the slow response. Others also complained about the website, which is relatively poor compared to their actual service.

Customers would much more appreciate it if a website is informative. Not only does this make them seem less professional, but it also makes them appear less prepared. 

A lot of people go to Nathan Bernhardt because of his years of experience and reputation for being knowledgeable, experienced, and trustworthy. We talked to his clients to ask if his reputation was proven true.

Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many telling us that they would recommend Nathan to anyone in need of an appraiser. Most people we talked to told us this is because Nathan is great at communication. 

When we asked them to further elaborate, most of them said it was because the appraiser managed to get to know their story in just a short amount of time. This helped him figure out their problems faster too.

Clients also receive quick responses every time they call or email. This was actually another of the most common things clients had to say about him.

However, not everything is perfect. We think it’s important to consider the fact that Nathan has missed several deadlines according to the clients we talked to. 

It seems that there are times that he wasn’t able to follow the timeline for several reasons. Since this happened quite a few times, we think it should be considered when thinking about which real estate appraiser you should go to.