What is ValoraIQ?
ValoraIQ is an AI-powered deal finder for collectors. It searches across eBay, Etsy, Catawiki, and other marketplaces to find valuable collectibles that might be underpriced or represent genuine collector opportunities.
Instead of manually browsing thousands of listings, ValoraIQ analyzes each item using AI and heuristics to calculate a "deal score"—a single number that tells you how good a deal an item is based on its condition, rarity, authenticity, and current market price.
Understanding Your Deal Score
Every item in your search results gets an Overall Deal Score (ranging from 0 to 100). This score combines multiple factors to give you a quick sense of whether an item is worth your attention.
Score Ranges
Breaking Down the Sub-Scores
Your overall deal score is built from several component scores. Click "Show score details" on any deal to see these breakdowns:
AI Value Score
This is our AI assessment of the deal quality based on the current asking price, estimated market demand, and comparable active listings. A high AI Value score means the asking price looks attractive compared to what similar items are selling for.
Authenticity Score
How confident we are that the item is genuine. This is based on:
- Hallmarks and maker marks mentioned in the listing
- Brand attribution and clarity in the title/description
- Consistency with known authentication indicators for that item type
A high authenticity score doesn't guarantee the item is real—always do your own research—but it indicates the listing contains credible markers of legitimacy.
Rarity Score
How rare and sought-after the item type is. This considers:
- Age and production era
- Maker or designer reputation (less common makers = higher rarity)
- Known collector demand
A high rarity score means the item type attracts collector interest and typically holds value well.
Condition Score
The item's physical state, from excellent to damaged. A higher condition score means:
- Fewer cracks, stains, or blemishes
- Original finish or patina intact
- Fully functional (no repairs needed)
Condition is critical in collectibles—a pristine example can be worth 5–10x more than a damaged one.
Completeness Score
How "complete" the item is. Collectors highly value:
- Original box or packaging
- Original paperwork or certificates of authenticity (COA)
- All original parts and pieces of a set
- Instruction manuals or documentation
A complete set with all original materials can be worth significantly more than the same item without them.
Seller Trust Score
Based on the seller's reputation:
- Feedback rating and review history
- Number of successful sales
- Return policy and buyer protection
A higher seller trust score means you're buying from a more established, reliable seller with a track record of good transactions.
Urgency Score
Time-sensitive factors that might create a buying opportunity:
- Auction ending soon (time pressure)
- Buy-It-Now with limited quantity
- Seasonal demand peaks
High urgency doesn't mean you should panic-buy. It's just a signal that the listing won't be around forever.
Comparables Confidence Score
How confident we are in the price comparison. This reflects:
- Number of similar active listings we found
- How closely they match the current item
- Consistency of pricing across comparable listings
A high confidence score means there's strong market data supporting the deal assessment. Lower confidence might mean the item is rare or niche.
Return Policy Score
Buyer protection and recourse:
- Whether returns are accepted
- Return window length (longer = safer for you)
- Return shipping cost coverage
A generous return policy gives you peace of mind if the item doesn't match the listing description.
Important Limitations
ValoraIQ uses heuristics and AI to flag potential deals, but it is not perfect. Please understand these limitations:
- Not a guarantee of authenticity: Our AI estimates based on text and images. Only independent expert authentication is definitive.
- Market conditions change: Prices and demand fluctuate. A score reflects the moment you search, not future market behavior.
- No professional appraisal: We don't replace professional valuers or conservators. For high-value items, get a formal appraisal.
- Data limitations: Comparables are based on active listings, not sold history. Sold prices tell a more complete story.
- Free users see basic scores: Free search results show limited scoring; Pro users get full AI-powered analysis.
Free vs Pro Plans
Both free and pro users can search across marketplaces, but Pro unlocks the full deal-scoring experience:
| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace search | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI deal scores | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sub-score breakdown | ✗ | ✓ |
| Daily searches | 10/day | Unlimited |
| Saved searches | ✗ | ✓ |
| Daily email alerts | ✗ | ✓ |
| Image-based search | ✗ | ✓ |
| Deal explanation ("Why this is a deal") | ✗ | ✓ |
How to Get Started
- Search: Enter what you're looking for (e.g., "vintage pocket watch," "Faberge egg," "mid-century table").
- Filter: Narrow by price range, auction vs. Buy-It-Now, and "great deals only" (score 75+).
- Review results: See listings ranked with deal scores.
- Expand details: Click "Show score details" to see the breakdown and understand why a deal scored that way.
- Research further: Read the full marketplace listing. ValoraIQ is a guide, not a substitute for your own due diligence.
- Make informed decisions: Use the deal score as one input among your own expertise and research.
Pro Tips for Collectors
- Check authenticity markers: Look for hallmarks, signatures, maker marks, and attribution. Don't rely on scores alone.
- Examine condition closely: Request additional photos from the seller if needed. Condition can change value dramatically.
- Research comps: Use auction results and dealer pricing to validate scoring assumptions.
- Read seller feedback: A great deal from an unreliable seller is still risky.
- Understand your collecting goals: Are you buying for resale, personal collection, or investment? Your risk tolerance should guide your decisions.
- Save your searches (Pro only): Set up daily alerts for ongoing opportunities in your collecting categories.
- Provide feedback: Mark listings as good/bad matches to help ValoraIQ improve its search quality for your queries.
Help Us Improve
ValoraIQ improves through user feedback. After searching, you can mark items as good or bad matches for your brand or category. This helps us:
- Refine search results for future queries
- Reduce false positives (items that don't match your interests)
- Calibrate our AI scoring over time
Your feedback is anonymous and helps the entire ValoraIQ community find better deals.
Still Have Questions?
Review these sections:
- How deal scores work: See "Understanding Your Deal Score" above.
- What each sub-score means: See "Breaking Down the Sub-Scores."
- Free vs Pro features: See "Free vs Pro Plans."
- For account or billing issues, visit your dashboard.
Last updated: November 2025