Short answer: yes, I Do Now I Don't (IDNID) is a legitimate company. Founded in 2007 by Josh Opperman after his own broken engagement, it was one of the first online marketplaces dedicated to pre-owned engagement rings and fine jewelry. Transactions are real. The company has been operating for nearly 20 years.
What makes IDNID different
IDNID is a peer-to-peer marketplace — sellers list their items and buyers purchase directly. This is meaningfully different from a dealer like Abe Mor or an auction platform like Worthy.
For sellers: You set your price and keep a higher percentage of the sale than a dealer buyout would pay. The tradeoff is time — you wait for a buyer.
For buyers: You're buying directly from someone who owned the ring. Prices are often below what a dealer would charge for the same piece, because sellers are motivated (divorce, broken engagement, upgraded) and the platform targets value buyers.
The appeal for buyers
Pre-owned engagement rings from private sellers can be purchased at 20–50% below what a comparable new ring would cost at retail — sometimes more for designer or branded pieces. The emotional context behind the listings (returned rings, upgraded settings, estate pieces) creates motivated sellers who price to move.
For buyers who are comfortable with a pre-owned ring and have done the diamond research, IDNID can represent genuinely good value.
Authentication and protection — the gap
IDNID is a listing platform, not an authentication service. They don't independently verify that:
- The item matches the listing description
- The diamond grades match the claimed specs
- The ring is what it says it is
This is the critical limitation. For a $10,000 engagement ring purchase, this gap is significant.
How to close the gap as a buyer:
- Request the GIA or AGS certificate. Any diamond of value should have one. A seller who doesn't have it should be able to get a replacement certificate from GIA. If they can't or won't, that's a red flag.
- Get an independent appraisal after purchase. IDNID's return policy gives you a window — use the beginning of it to have the ring independently appraised. If the diamond doesn't match its stated specs, initiate a return immediately.
- Ask for additional photos — especially in natural light, showing the girdle inscription (which links the stone to its GIA certificate).
What IDNID's buyer protection covers
IDNID offers a buyer protection policy. Key elements:
- Return window (check current terms — historically 7–30 days depending on item)
- Significant not-as-described items are eligible for return
The protection requires you to act within the window. Don't let it lapse before you've verified the stone.
For sellers: what to expect
IDNID charges a listing fee and takes a commission on sale. Rates vary but have historically been around 15–20% of the sale price. In exchange, you reach a targeted buyer base — people specifically looking for pre-owned rings, not general resale shoppers.
Seller tips:
- Include the GIA certificate. Listings with certificates convert much higher than those without.
- High-quality photos in natural light make a significant difference.
- Price competitively against similar stones on IDNID and at local jewelers — motivated buyers comparison-shop.
- Be responsive to questions. Buyers have high anxiety about this purchase category.
Alternatives to compare
For sellers:
- Worthy (auction model) may generate higher prices for high-quality diamonds through competitive bidding
- Abe Mor or local dealers offer instant cash if speed matters more than recovery percentage
- eBay has a large buyer pool but much less curation and higher counterfeit noise in the jewelry category
For buyers:
- Estate jewelers offer professional authentication and often competitive pricing
- Worthy (secondary market) — some stones come back on market after auction
- Certified Pre-Owned programs from major jewelers (Brilliant Earth, James Allen) for buyers who want retail-like assurance
The bottom line
I Do Now I Don't is legitimate and can deliver real value for both buyers and sellers — particularly for buyers who know what they're looking for and can verify a diamond's specifications against its GIA certificate. The lack of platform-level authentication means buyers carry more verification responsibility than on a dealer site. Do the verification before your return window closes.