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Original poster

Inadvertently took something from shop; have tried to pay. WWYD now?

25 replies

Silversol · 12/09/2023 07:51

The short story:

Tried on a few items of jewellery in a shop, later realised I had walked out wearing one of their necklaces. Called and asked them to send me an invoice. Nothing has been sent. What would you do now?

Full details for those who like the whole story:

The shop had an event at the weekend where you could take back items you no longer wear and exchange for a store credit to be used on the day. I went along, tried on several things, chose something, did the exchange for my old items, and left the shop. We were on our way somewhere else so I knew I had to be quick so it was all a bit of a rush.

When we got to where we were going and I took off my jacket I realised I was still wearing a necklace I’d tried on. I called the shop straight away but they were already closed. Called back first thing the next day, explained the situation and asked them to send me an invoice. They have my email from my account (have bought a few things from them).

it’s now 2 whole working days since I called and they’ve not send the invoice. I assumed it would have been sent right after I phoned. My husband says don’t worry about it, the ball’s in their court and you’ve tried to pay. I feel I won’t be able to wear the necklace without feeling rotten about it so I think I’ll call them again tomorrow. Just wondering what others would do in this situation.

in case it’s relevant to your opinion, it’s a shop that does everyday silver and gold plated pieces as well as high end fine diamond/gemstone jewellery. They have two branches in my nearest city and one overseas. The necklace would cost about 90 pounds (I’m down under).

so tell me, what would you do if it was you?

OP posts:

lionsleepstonight · 12/09/2023 07:53

I'd go back to the shop at the weekend and either give it back or pay for it.

InterFactual · 12/09/2023 07:54

I'd want something in writing to prove I'd tried to pay for it. Could you chase them with an email? "Just to confirm our conversation on Monday, you'll be sending an invoice for the piece of jewellery in the attached photograph" etc.

TenOhSeven · 12/09/2023 07:55

I'd do the same as PP, go into the shop and either pay or return the necklace.
To be honest, asking them to send you an invoice was weird, why did you not pay by card over the phone? Maybe as it's a chain individual branches can't send invoices and it has to go through an office so will take longer.

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Clothing

Original poster

Silversol · 12/09/2023 07:57

@TenOhSeven I told them I wanted to pay for it and they said they would email an invoice. Didn’t give me the option to pay over the phone.

OP posts:

TheMountainsCall · 12/09/2023 07:57

I'd go to the shop and either return it or pay in person.

Donotshushme · 12/09/2023 07:58

Id go into the shop and pay. Or phone them up until i got an answer and pay over the phone. If i didn't want the necklace id be down there asap to return it. Just because they haven't sent you an invoice in 2 whole days doesn't mean you get to thieve it like your husband seems to think.

shangelawasrobbed · 12/09/2023 07:58

I'd go back to the shop and pay for it.

shangelawasrobbed · 12/09/2023 07:59

shangelawasrobbed · 12/09/2023 07:58

I'd go back to the shop and pay for it.

Or return it if I didn't want it.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 12/09/2023 07:59

Forget and move on imo

Mamadothehump · 12/09/2023 08:02

Surely this is a no brainer? Go back to the shop. No need to make this difficult.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 12/09/2023 08:03

I agree with your DH, you’ve done your bit. Two days is not long, I’m sure they’ll contact you.
in the meantime I’d enjoy wearing my Brucie Bonus necklace but I appreciate not everyone shares my lax morals 😉

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 12/09/2023 08:08

It was only two days ago! Give them a chance.

Original poster

Silversol · 12/09/2023 08:09

@Donotshushme it’s not that he encourages stealing, it’s more he thinks it’s not worth fretting about and as others have said, I should move on. He reckons it’s a drop in the ocean for them and not worth their admin hassle otherwise they’d have already sent the invoice.

for those suggesting I should just go back to the shop, I’m not close by and won’t be able to go until the next weekend (not this coming weekend). I’d rather solve it before then so I’ll call tomorrow.

not making it difficult @Mamadothehump, I was wondering what others would do.

@Twoshoesnewshoes that made me smile. Thanks for the realness!

OP posts:

IrritableVowel · 12/09/2023 08:15

If they had an event at the weekend, chances are they have a lot of things to do this week, and your invoice won't be top of the list.

I'd feel a bit jittery until it is sorted but in the scheme of buying and selling, and a busy weekend, £90 isn't a huge amount.

I would leave it until next week, and if they can't take payment over the phone, ask if you can send an email to someone (a person, not a "[email protected]"). Send the email, leave it until they come back to you. Maybe a reminder at month-end.

Or drop back in. Or ask can you buy it via website, if that makes accounting process easier, and they just don't send it.

GoodOldEmmaNess · 12/09/2023 08:15

I'd go back to the shop and return it. I'm not someone who thinks that everyone should always come clean and pay up every single time a shop makes a mistake in their favour. But this is different. Itis not remotely a mistake by the shop; it is fully the OP's mistake, absent-mindedness about an action (trying on jewellery belonging to someone else) that she had a reponsibility to be careful about.

Also, there is no 'social justice' aspect to this that could justify keeping it (as there might be if, say, you were struggling to feed your family and you accidentally walked out of an overpriced supermarket with a bag of pasta). This is a luxury item, not needed, probably not much valued by the OP since she forgot about it. It needs to go back to the shop.

YouveGotAFastCar · 12/09/2023 08:17

Under UK law, they’d have six years to chase you for payment. I’m not sure what the equivalent Aus timeline is but I’d expect it to be similar. Your invoice may well be on a to-do list, especially after a busy event weekend.

I’d go back and either return it or pay; I couldn’t wear it knowing it was nicked.

gamerchick · 12/09/2023 08:21

You go back to the shop in person . You don't nick something and ask them to invoice you. How are they supposed to know what you've taken?

Never heard something so bizarre for ages

EauNeu · 12/09/2023 08:21

Put the necklace in an envelope and send it back.

I wouldn't go in the shop myself in case they decided to be difficult.

Flux1 · 12/09/2023 08:48

Two days is not long and they likely need to get their accounts department to raise the invoice. I would imagine that if they've told you they will invoice you, then they will, but will likely take some time. If you haven't received it by month end I would send a reminder.

Girlwithapple · 12/09/2023 09:00

The company I used to work for attended shows regularly and, as @IrritableVowel says, if it was a busy event they may take a few days to deal with all the admin. If you are too far away to be able to go in and pay, I would send a follow up email though. I know in the past I remembered that a customer had spoken to me about something and in the chaos of pack up after a busy show it sometimes took a while to locate the order/memo (usually when too many other people had helpfully got involved packing away).

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/09/2023 09:08

If they had an event at the weekend, chances are they have a lot of things to do this week, and your invoice won't be top of the list

Finance person here. This, and if they're a small company they probably have a bookkeeper come in once a week or so to do the financials and will catch up with you then.

Dobrina · 12/09/2023 09:15

I would send an email. That way you've got something in writing and so have they (phone messages get lost more easily).

inappropriateraspberry · 12/09/2023 09:33

Give them a chance! I doubt they could do much on a Sunday admin wise, even if the shop was open, so give them a few working days to get it straight their end. Maybe they'll check cctv? Maybe they have to audit the stick to check what is missing? Who knows. Also, it depends how much the necklace was worth. £10? They're not going to rush. £500? They'll be chasing it up quick enough!

tkwal · 07/12/2023 22:03

Did you leave your used items at the shop ? If so they may think fair's fair and send you a receipt. If not , go back to the shop. You should remind them you called them and they didn't respond. BTW, most Jewellers watch like a hawk when you're trying something on, where was the assistant ?.

TeaGinandFags · 23/12/2023 22:48

Don't fret.

They're busy and need more time to process the invoice. Hubby is right.

Since you phoned them you won't be done for thievery as you need to intend to steal the item AND you told them about your mistake. It's now up to them to send the invoice, though it probably won't arrive until the New Year.

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