Selling gold jewelry?
gecko109
Posts: 8,231 ✭
Have any of you guys rifled through your wife's excess jewelry to cash in yet? My wife has dozens of pieces she never wears anymore AT ALL and im trying to convince her to cash it in so she can buy newer items she will wear. Getting her to give it up is like pulling teeth though! I was able to wrestle away this 24kt bracelet that I bought her a few years ago. She has worn it once, maybe twice since I bought it (for melt, 2nd hand). Anyway, a local shop bought it for 95% of melt value a couple weeks ago. I thought that was a GREAT deal! What do your local shops pay for gold jewelry?
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Comments
I think the local B&M shop pays $12-$15/gram on average for 14K & 18K.
On a side note (and not to hijack your thread), I saw a "Buying Gold Today" dude across the street from me a couple weeks ago that had his little table setup at a local business. I walked in to check what he was paying for 90% (7.5X face btw). BUT thing I noticed that got me to thinking was the table he was buying from. It was a padded card table. Don't know if makes a difference, but would the scale on the padded table make the gold he was weighing weigh less because of the cushion of the pad?
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<< <i>I think the local B&M shop pays $12-$15/gram on average for 14K & 18K.
On a side note (and not to hijack your thread), I saw a "Buying Gold Today" dude across the street from me a couple weeks ago that had his little table setup at a local business. I walked in to check what he was paying for 90% (7.5X face btw). BUT thing I noticed that got me to thinking was the table he was buying from. It was a padded card table. Don't know if makes a difference, but would the scale on the padded table make the gold he was weighing weigh less because of the cushion of the pad?
So the local B&M is paying 50-60% of actual gold value??? A gram of 14kt is worth $25 on a $1350 spot price. As far as the scale on anything other than a hard, level surface, i'd be concerned.
I don't think my wife would ever get rid of any gold jewelry. She packrats/hoards her students graded papers from a decade ago and i can't get her to toss that crap out, much less some jewelry that has a personal story or memory attached to it.
<< <i>How would what's under the scale affect something sitting on the scale? Doesn't change the weight of what's on it.
I don't think my wife would ever get rid of any gold jewelry. She packrats/hoards her students graded papers from a decade ago and i can't get her to toss that crap out, much less some jewelry that has a personal story or memory attached to it. >>
If you put a very accurate scale on top of a pillow and then placed an object on it, you may not get an accurate reading. If you did the same thing on a hard, flat desk, the reading would be accurate. Would it be a huge difference in the reading? Maybe not....but when dealing with PMs, I want an accurate reading as im sure most people do as well.
<< <i>As long as the scale is not in motion the hardness of the surface it sits on has absolutely no effect on the weight of the object being weighed. >>
And what do you think happens when you put a weighted item onto a scale that sits on top of a soft, puffy surface?
Today at $1355 per ounce would be:
$16 per gram for 10K
$22.85 per gram for 14K
and $29.30 per gram for 18K.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
<< <i>Do most dealers buy using grams or pennyweight? >>
dwt seems to be the most often used.
Groucho Marx
<< <i>You should get approx. 90% of spot.
Today at $1355 per ounce would be:
$16 per gram for 10K
$22.85 per gram for 14K
and $29.30 per gram for 18K. >>
NONE of the Gold stores could pay the rent at this margin. The refiner's take 2%. Add shiping and insurance and you would find that getting 90% would be very difficult to do.
<< <i>
<< <i>As long as the scale is not in motion the hardness of the surface it sits on has absolutely no effect on the weight of the object being weighed. >>
And what do you think happens when you put a weighted item onto a scale that sits on top of a soft, puffy surface? >>
Unless the soft, puffy surface jams up the scale's moving parts it has absolutely no effect on how much the object weighs. Think about it. Do you weigh less standing on a bed than you do standing on a concrete surface? No.
<< <i>
Unless the soft, puffy surface jams up the scale's moving parts it has absolutely no effect on how much the object weighs. Think about it. Do you weigh less standing on a bed than you do standing on a concrete surface? No. >>
It's not about actual weight, it's about the weight the scale senses.
My own unscientific test. I grabbed my digi scale and a 1-oz bar of silver. Placed the scale on my 1/2 inch thick well padded black folio and took this picture:
Then I simply moved the scale to the hard white desk top:
--Severian the Lame
<< <i>
<< <i>
Unless the soft, puffy surface jams up the scale's moving parts it has absolutely no effect on how much the object weighs. Think about it. Do you weigh less standing on a bed than you do standing on a concrete surface? No. >>
It's not about actual weight, it's about the weight the scale senses.
My own unscientific test. I grabbed my digi scale and a 1-oz bar of silver. Placed the scale on my 1/2 inch thick well padded black folio and took this picture:
Then I simply moved the scale to the hard white desk top:
.1 gram is the margin of error on those single digit scales. That is statistically meaningless. Also, an ounce bar should weigh 31.1 grams. Perhaps your scale needs to be calibrated?
<< <i>So the local B&M is paying 50-60% of actual gold value??? A gram of 14kt is worth $25 on a $1350 spot price. As far as the scale on anything other than a hard, level surface, i'd be concerned. >>
Yes, that's his buy prices. Ethical or not, his buy prices are what his buy prices are. I guess he's figured out what he needs to make to keep the doors open and sets his prices accordingly.
Also, on bullion rounds and bars, he pays spot minus and usually sells for spot. I'd rather him buy for spot minus from the public and sell for spot to me than buy for spot from the public and sell for spot plus.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
I buy, through a couple of local antique malls, at 75% of melt. I'm finding more and more debased 14KT, with average 14KT melts assaying in the 12KT range.
My wife's excess jewelry reflects her pawing through the scrap jewelry I have bought. So no, I don't rifle through it a second time
The idea that a scale on a padded card table would weigh out lower made me snort my coffee out of my nose. The only effect of a surface difference, even a pillow, would be based upon stability or mechanical interference of the scale. Jeez.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
<< <i>
.1 gram is the margin of error on those single digit scales. That is statistically meaningless. Also, an ounce bar should weigh 31.1 grams. Perhaps your scale needs to be calibrated? >>
We're not talking about statistics, we're talking about dollars. But since we're dealing with theoreticals: If a gram of 14k is worth $22, then a tenth of a gram is worth $2.20. Multiply that by dozens of lost tenths a day, assuming that's the least a scale would read in the buyer's favor, you're talking about someone lifting close to $15,000 a year just on those lost tenths. FWIW, a misdemeanor turns into a felony at the $500 mark in most states.
Also, we're not talking about how much my scale may or may not be off. We're talking about the difference it shows on a hard vs. a soft surface. I said my test was unscientific. But a lower reading on a soft surface is logical--the pressure exerted by the object is lessened by padding. That's what padding is for.
--Severian the Lame
<< <i> But a lower reading on a soft surface is logical--the pressure exerted by the object is lessened by padding. That's what padding is for. >>
I'm not overweight, I'm just not standing on a soft enough surface.
That is not true either, btw, in that if I put a pad between the scale and what I'm weighing, I'm now weighing it PLUS the scale. Unless for the scale on top of padding is sinking into the padding continually, it's not important...it's only important for the scale to be STATIONARY.
<< <i>
<< <i>
.1 gram is the margin of error on those single digit scales. That is statistically meaningless. Also, an ounce bar should weigh 31.1 grams. Perhaps your scale needs to be calibrated? >>
We're not talking about statistics, we're talking about dollars. But since we're dealing with theoreticals: If a gram of 14k is worth $22, then a tenth of a gram is worth $2.20. Multiply that by dozens of lost tenths a day, assuming that's the least a scale would read in the buyer's favor, you're talking about someone lifting close to $15,000 a year just on those lost tenths. FWIW, a misdemeanor turns into a felony at the $500 mark in most states.
Also, we're not talking about how much my scale may or may not be off. We're talking about the difference it shows on a hard vs. a soft surface. I said my test was unscientific. But a lower reading on a soft surface is logical--the pressure exerted by the object is lessened by padding. That's what padding is for. >>
Wow, you are seeing larceny where there is none. I now understand where some of the dealer hate comes from. You are using your ignorance of science to "prove" dealers are guilty of stealing.
A "lower reading on a soft surface" may be logical if you have never studied physics. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. I lived and breathed force, mass, acceleration etc. for my 4 years in school plus my years as an automotive engineer. The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray.
<< <i>"The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray." >>
Does this matter if the scale is on a padded surface and the scale moves, or sinks, down when the object is placed on it with no other interference? You said as long as the scale is stationary, in this case, it wouldn't be. Wouldn't the pad absorb some of the force that the object exerts making the object seem to weigh less on the scale? I understand the object's actual weight is the same whether it is in your pocket or on a scale on a goose down pillow at the Marriott. I guess the original question deals with force rather than weight. The actual weight on the scale would be the end result.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Kinda like the talking heads telling me every things improving~well I ain't seen it
tru dat
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>
Wow, you are seeing larceny where there is none. I now understand where some of the dealer hate comes from. You are using your ignorance of science to "prove" dealers are guilty of stealing.
A "lower reading on a soft surface" may be logical if you have never studied physics. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. I lived and breathed force, mass, acceleration etc. for my 4 years in school plus my years as an automotive engineer. The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray. >>
See, that's the thing. Though my degree isn't specifically in Engineering (true, Industrial Psychology requires advanced Engineering classes), my degree from a top 5 engineering school (the U of I) does allow me to detect when someone is couching their responses because they know they're mistaken.
But hey. No reason to puff out your chest. I'd like to ask anyone who cares to participate and who has a digital scale to try weighing an object on a padded surface vs. weighing an object on a hard surface. Let's see the responses.
In the mean time, let's see if the manufacturers of digital scales agree with clouisejewelers: that the "relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object":
Q: Can the scale be used on a carpeted surface?
A: A hard surface is best for maximum accuracy. Placing the scale on a soft, deep pile rug may affect the reading.
HealtOmeter Digital Scales
If your Phoenix Talking scale will not work properly, Please do the following:
Try using the scale on a different surface (non-carpeted). This scale must only be used on a hard surface such as tile, wood linoleum or short carpet.
Phoenix Body Fat Scale Manual
Can I weigh myself on carpet?
Taylor scales do not feature “carpet feet” and thus will not provide accurate readings on carpeting. We suggest placing the scale on a hard, flat surface.
Taylor Precision Products
Whoops. Six years of college down the drain.
--Severian the Lame
<< <i>
<< <i>
Wow, you are seeing larceny where there is none. I now understand where some of the dealer hate comes from. You are using your ignorance of science to "prove" dealers are guilty of stealing.
A "lower reading on a soft surface" may be logical if you have never studied physics. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. I lived and breathed force, mass, acceleration etc. for my 4 years in school plus my years as an automotive engineer. The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray. >>
See, that's the thing. Though my degree isn't specifically in Engineering (true, Industrial Psychology requires advanced Engineering classes), my degree from a top 5 engineering school (the U of I) does allow me to detect when someone is couching their responses because they know they're mistaken.
But hey. No reason to puff out your chest. I'd like to ask anyone who cares to participate and who has a digital scale to try weighing an object on a padded surface vs. weighing an object on a hard surface. Let's see the responses.
In the mean time, let's see if the manufacturers of digital scales agree with clouisejewelers: that the "relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object":
Q: Can the scale be used on a carpeted surface?
A: A hard surface is best for maximum accuracy. Placing the scale on a soft, deep pile rug may affect the reading.
HealtOmeter Digital Scales
If your Phoenix Talking scale will not work properly, Please do the following:
Try using the scale on a different surface (non-carpeted). This scale must only be used on a hard surface such as tile, wood linoleum or short carpet.
Phoenix Body Fat Scale Manual
Can I weigh myself on carpet?
Taylor scales do not feature “carpet feet” and thus will not provide accurate readings on carpeting. We suggest placing the scale on a hard, flat surface.
Taylor Precision Products
Whoops. Six years of college down the drain. >>
Jeez Weiss! For once I did bet against you.
I didn't think you could come out with such a detailed answer.
Anyway, I think that the padded/carpeted/etc surface affects the reading because the scale will be unbalanced, so the pressure will go higher on one side instead of evenly distributed on the scale pan.
Just my 2 cents (no college at all here).
Anyway, I will try tonight at home.
<< <i>
<< <i>
Wow, you are seeing larceny where there is none. I now understand where some of the dealer hate comes from. You are using your ignorance of science to "prove" dealers are guilty of stealing.
A "lower reading on a soft surface" may be logical if you have never studied physics. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. I lived and breathed force, mass, acceleration etc. for my 4 years in school plus my years as an automotive engineer. The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray. >>
See, that's the thing. Though my degree isn't specifically in Engineering (true, Industrial Psychology requires advanced Engineering classes), my degree from a top 5 engineering school (the U of I) does allow me to detect when someone is couching their responses because they know they're mistaken.
But hey. No reason to puff out your chest. I'd like to ask anyone who cares to participate and who has a digital scale to try weighing an object on a padded surface vs. weighing an object on a hard surface. Let's see the responses.
In the mean time, let's see if the manufacturers of digital scales agree with clouisejewelers: that the "relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object":
Q: Can the scale be used on a carpeted surface?
A: A hard surface is best for maximum accuracy. Placing the scale on a soft, deep pile rug may affect the reading.
HealtOmeter Digital Scales
If your Phoenix Talking scale will not work properly, Please do the following:
Try using the scale on a different surface (non-carpeted). This scale must only be used on a hard surface such as tile, wood linoleum or short carpet.
Phoenix Body Fat Scale Manual
Can I weigh myself on carpet?
Taylor scales do not feature “carpet feet” and thus will not provide accurate readings on carpeting. We suggest placing the scale on a hard, flat surface.
Taylor Precision Products
Whoops. Six years of college down the drain. >>
Weiss,
As much as I like you and always have, you are still wrong.
Still, your excessive education has not been for naught.
The reason that using any scale on a padded or carpeted surface has EVERYTHING to do with stability of the scale, and nothing to do with the indication of the weight in absolute terms. Padding DOES NOT block the force of gravity.
The dealer using a padded card table is probably using it because it's what Costco had when he went there to stock up on frozen chili dogs. So long as the darned table doesn't move, the gold is going to weigh out the same as if it were weighed on a marble slab. The cushioning below the scale has zero net effect in the equation. It's a non-factor.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Weighing a moving object needs to be done a special way if tight tolerances are to be held. That's why standing on carpet using a digital scale isn't reliable. It needs more brains to do things like averaging and tiny vector compensation while your keeping yourself upright. Using it on a hard surface removes lots of variables.
The scale on a padded card table thing could only change if the scale was no longer in the non-level position different from the assumed level hard surface position. That distance, or changed amount, could be calculated but the amount wouldn't approach 1% till the angular difference exceeded a visibly noticeable amount .e.g 10° (I'm sure a google search would produce the formula)
From an accuracy of the scale point of view there would be no difference in measurements between soft or hard surface provided the objects are all motionless and visually the scale is level.
Anecdotal(sp?) note, My digital scale drifts as mush as 4grs during its first two minutes after power on. Which makes it a real headache setting up a small 28'' uav heli where the main blades require a .<05gr difference tolerance. Something to be aware of during use of all cheap digital scales.
<< <i>
<< <i> But a lower reading on a soft surface is logical--the pressure exerted by the object is lessened by padding. That's what padding is for. >>
I'm not overweight, I'm just not standing on a soft enough surface.
That is not true either, btw, in that if I put a pad between the scale and what I'm weighing, I'm now weighing it PLUS the scale. Unless for the scale on top of padding is sinking into the padding continually, it's not important...it's only important for the scale to be STATIONARY. >>
If the padded surface has UNIFORM density....then it wont matter. But because a padded surface will allow the scale to tilt ever so slightly...and a hard surface wont...a padded surface is an absolute no no in weighing items. Agree?
<< <i>
<< <i>"The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray." >>
Does this matter if the scale is on a padded surface and the scale moves, or sinks, down when the object is placed on it with no other interference? You said as long as the scale is stationary, in this case, it wouldn't be. Wouldn't the pad absorb some of the force that the object exerts making the object seem to weigh less on the scale? I understand the object's actual weight is the same whether it is in your pocket or on a scale on a goose down pillow at the Marriott. I guess the original question deals with force rather than weight. The actual weight on the scale would be the end result. >>
Wes, the scale may oscillate for a very short time on a soft surface. We are talking one second or so. It will oscillate on an extremely hard surface as well, just for a slightly shorter time. Eventually friction will cause the motion to damp down to zero. If someone nudges the scale or the table it will start moving again of course. My point is the object will weigh the same no matter what the supporting surface is. You said this yourself.
I think I get it now. Once the scale stops moving (or sinking) downward into the padded surface after the object is placed on it, then the object weighed will weight the same as it would if it was weighed on a hard surface.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>
<< <i>
Wow, you are seeing larceny where there is none. I now understand where some of the dealer hate comes from. You are using your ignorance of science to "prove" dealers are guilty of stealing.
A "lower reading on a soft surface" may be logical if you have never studied physics. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. I lived and breathed force, mass, acceleration etc. for my 4 years in school plus my years as an automotive engineer. The relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object, as long as you are using the scale correctly i.e. it is stationary and the supporting surface does not hinder the free movement of the scale tray. >>
See, that's the thing. Though my degree isn't specifically in Engineering (true, Industrial Psychology requires advanced Engineering classes), my degree from a top 5 engineering school (the U of I) does allow me to detect when someone is couching their responses because they know they're mistaken.
But hey. No reason to puff out your chest. I'd like to ask anyone who cares to participate and who has a digital scale to try weighing an object on a padded surface vs. weighing an object on a hard surface. Let's see the responses.
In the mean time, let's see if the manufacturers of digital scales agree with clouisejewelers: that the "relative hardness of the supporting surface has absolutely no effect on the measured weight of the object":
Q: Can the scale be used on a carpeted surface?
A: A hard surface is best for maximum accuracy. Placing the scale on a soft, deep pile rug may affect the reading.
HealtOmeter Digital Scales
If your Phoenix Talking scale will not work properly, Please do the following:
Try using the scale on a different surface (non-carpeted). This scale must only be used on a hard surface such as tile, wood linoleum or short carpet.
Phoenix Body Fat Scale Manual
Can I weigh myself on carpet?
Taylor scales do not feature “carpet feet” and thus will not provide accurate readings on carpeting. We suggest placing the scale on a hard, flat surface.
Taylor Precision Products
Whoops. Six years of college down the drain. >>
Wow, you aren't an engineer(a psychologist!) but because there were engineers at your school you know more than an ACTUAL ENGINEER!?!?!?!? WOW!!! Psychology is great isn't it. There are no wrong answers, just "feelings". That's why I was so attracted to engineering. There is only ONE correct answer that is backed up with irrefutable SCIENCE and MATH. It is absolute. Psych and most other liberal arts is full of B.S. and "feelings".
History is full of people who just KNEW they were right and forcefully shouted down those who used hard scientific knowledge to eventually prove them wrong. People just KNEW the Earth was flat and the Earth was the center of the universe. Science is not always intuitive, but math is absolute. I will say it again, mathematically and scientifically the weight of an object is unaffected by the surface on which it rests. The issue here is people not using scales correctly. If your bathroom scale is jammed with carpet and the scale cannot move freely than you will get an incorrect reading. It does not mean you weigh less on a carpeted surface. A padded table top is not going to jam up a small digital scale. Oh, and 6 years? I told you 4. More proof you are bad with math. The reason I "puffed my chest" was to use facts(my scientific education) to prove my point.
Here is an example to consider. Yoy drop a feather from one hand and a bowling ball from the other hand. Assuming no air resistance(i.e. a vacuum) which one hits the ground first? Use intuition to answer and you will get a very different answer than if you use science.
But again my degree allows me to look past your chest-puffing to see you've offered no counter to either my admittedly unscientific example, or the information offered by the actual manufacturers of digital scales.
So let's take your lack of argument at face value and agree that we agree: the use of a digital scale on a soft surface can and does result in inaccurate readings.
If you're selling gold or any PMs, you're well advised to be sure the buyer is using their scale on a hard surface.
Case closed. Next?
--Severian the Lame
<< <i>Actually my degree is a scientific degree. The difference is that it's from a real school. People who work in human-machine systems are the ones who take the garbage that engineers create and turn it into something that's actually useful.
But again my degree allows me to look past your chest-puffing to see you've offered no counter to either my admittedly unscientific example, or the information offered by the actual manufacturers of digital scales.
So let's take your lack of argument at face value and agree that we agree: the use of a digital scale on a soft surface can and does result in inaccurate readings.
If you're selling gold or any PMs, you're well advised to be sure the buyer is using their scale on a hard surface.
Case closed. Next? >>
Another of your posts quoted before you can edit it. U of M Ann Arbor not a "real school"? Really?? Currently ranked #8 in the U.S. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/rankings
What you just said about U of M shows you are either ignorant or a liar. Why should anyone believe anything else you say, especially pertaining to science or mathematics? You have shown you don't even know the difference between the numbers 4 and 6. You also have no idea what engineers do. We take scientific ideas and turn them into something useful, like cars, computers, buildings. That is the very definition of an engineer.
Keep the lies and insults coming. I won't back down. Keep puffing your chest about your psych degree. I am not going to bother trying to explain newtonian physics to someone who has repeatedly shown lack of basic scientific knowledge.
I then put one testing stone under one end so that it was sitting at an angle, re-tared it and weighed the eagle. 31.0 grams.
I then put two testing stones under that one end, re-tared it and weighed the eagle. 30.7 grams.
I then repeated the experiment with the scale sitting on one of our buying pads, or with one end on the buying pad, and got the same results.
The variance is caused by the scale not being level, not because it is sitting on a pad. Somebody good at math can explain about vectors.
So, I think that it is safe to say that a scale sitting on a thinly padded table should be close enough to accurate as to not matter. However, if it is sitting on a thick pad that settles unevenly, this can cause the scale to be not level and give a lower than correct weight.
TD
--Severian the Lame
<< <i>Just out of curiosity, I took our buying scale and laid it flat on our glass countertop and weighed a silver eagle. 31.1 grams.
I then put one testing stone under one end so that it was sitting at an angle, re-tared it and weighed the eagle. 31.0 grams.
I then put two testing stones under that one end, re-tared it and weighed the eagle. 30.7 grams.
I then repeated the experiment with the scale sitting on one of our buying pads, or with one end on the buying pad, and got the same results.
The variance is caused by the scale not being level, not because it is sitting on a pad. Somebody good at math can explain about vectors.
So, I think that it is safe to say that a scale sitting on a thinly padded table should be close enough to accurate as to not matter. However, if it is sitting on a thick pad that settles unevenly, this can cause the scale to be not level and give a lower than correct weight.
TD >>
If the scale is not level, that will indeed affect the reading, some of the force will be diverted in a non vertical axis. Here is a link explaining the physics behind this http://library.thinkquest.org/16600/intermediate/force.shtml
This has to do with the scale being on an angle, it has nothing to do with the surface.
Proud recipient of two "You Suck" awards
LM-ANA3242-CSNS308-MSNS226-ICTA
<< <i>soo, If I prop up the corner of our bathroom scale, my wife will weigh less ? :-) >>
If you're smart, you'll say so..........
If the scale is not level it will off-balance, causing an incorrect weight. Make sure that it is sitting on a level surface. Also turn the scale over from time to time and clean the bottom. Make sure the little feet are all on and that they are even. Make sure the shipping plate has been taken off the bottom if there is one there. Some models have one on them when shipping to avoid damage.
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/troubleshooting-your-digital-weight-scale#ixzz16FuJ99wA
So an unscrupulous dealer could tilt the scale toward the customer giving the allusion of fairness by providing a better view of an erroneous weight.
btw CaptHenway, roughly what was the tilted angle you employed?
<< <i> So, I think that it is safe to say that a scale sitting on a thinly padded table should be close enough to accurate as to not matter. However, if it is sitting on a thick pad that settles unevenly, this can cause the scale to be not level and give a lower than correct weight.
So an unscrupulous dealer could tilt the scale toward the customer giving the allusion of fairness by providing a better view of an erroneous weight.
btw CaptHenway, roughly what was the tilted angle you employed? >>
I dunno......10-15 degrees maybe?
<< <i>
<< <i>Just out of curiosity, I took our buying scale and laid it flat on our glass countertop and weighed a silver eagle. 31.1 grams.
I then put one testing stone under one end so that it was sitting at an angle, re-tared it and weighed the eagle. 31.0 grams.
I then put two testing stones under that one end, re-tared it and weighed the eagle. 30.7 grams.
I then repeated the experiment with the scale sitting on one of our buying pads, or with one end on the buying pad, and got the same results.
The variance is caused by the scale not being level, not because it is sitting on a pad. Somebody good at math can explain about vectors.
So, I think that it is safe to say that a scale sitting on a thinly padded table should be close enough to accurate as to not matter. However, if it is sitting on a thick pad that settles unevenly, this can cause the scale to be not level and give a lower than correct weight.
TD >>
If the scale is not level, that will indeed affect the reading, some of the force will be diverted in a non vertical axis. Here is a link explaining the physics behind this http://library.thinkquest.org/16600/intermediate/force.shtml
This has to do with the scale being on an angle, it has nothing to do with the surface. >>
A scale on a padded surface MAY NOT remain level....thats the whole point of this discussion. A perfectly level wood top desk will not deflect, or "give" when reasonable weight is placed onto it. So if you began with a level, hard surface, then you end with the same. Now put a pillow on top of that same level, hard surface....and place a scale on top of the pillow. Make sure the scale is PERFECTLY level before adding any weight. Now add weight to the scale, and BECAUSE the surface was not hard, the scale may not remain in a perfectly level position....thus throwing out a false weight reading. Exactly what aspect of this do you need help understanding?