App: ValueMyStuff
By: Tech work done by Webspiders.com
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone
What is it?
An antiques valuation service.
What does it promise?
"ValueMyStuff provides valuations and appraisals for almost anything including medal valuations, jewellery valuations, painting valuations, furniture valuations, stamp valuations and so much more. All our experts have worked for Sotheby's, Christie's or one of the other major London auction houses." You upload a picture of something you want valued and, for a fee, those experts will take a look.
Is it easy to use?
I had some problems registering with the app to begin with – even when I registered successfully at the full website, the app claimed my work email address was invalid. I tried my personal email and it eventually accepted my registration. That aside, buying credits (one credit equals one valuation) works smoothly via PayPal and submitting items for valuation was also child's play.
I uploaded a photograph of a piece of jewellery my wife had inherited from her grandmother (we had thought it might be a Van Cleef & Arpels piece). The process was simple: you can upload four photos for each item, you then describe the piece and send the details to the company. The hardest part is parting with a not-inconsiderable £7.50 each time you want something valued.
Is it fun?
All the time that you have your fingers crossed that you're in possession of a priceless item, it's great fun. When you find out your "valuables" are next to worthless, less so.
Is it pretty?
The home screen is a calm sea of blue broken by a nicely rendered magnifying glass logo. There are crisp icons throughout, as well as illustrations and nicely integrated photo work.
Should you download it?
The app does exactly what it promises. Within 48 hours I had a PDF sitting in my email inbox containing a full valuation that told me: "It doesn't look like a Van Cleef & Arpels piece". Shame.
I was pretty sure I had uploaded two photos of my item (one front, one back), but the valuer had written in the report how it was a shame he or she hadn't been able to see a picture of the front of the item, and only the photo of the back was included in the PDF. Also, £7.50 does seem a lot to spend on an in-app purchase, even if you are accessing expert independent opinion – although the price drops to £19.99 for three credits and £59.99 for 10 credits if you buy in bulk.
For most people, going to three different jewellers to get three free valuations would probably work just as well as using ValueMyStuff, but not all items are small, and if you have bigger and bulkier antiques you are unsure about this app could help make your mind up over whether to cash-in or keep them for sentimental reasons.
