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Original poster

Done over by jeweller - anything I can do?

226 replies

Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 14:18

Posting here for traffic, and yes I know it's a first world problem but I'd appreciate any advice

My 18ct yellow gold rope chain broke, and the jeweller I took it to for repair has substituted a 9ct chain (very clear just by the weight and colour). Obviously I queried this at the time, and equally obviously he denied it while avoiding my eyes and then scuttling into the back of the shop

The chain was my late mum's so I don't have a receipt, but the 18ct is stamped on the clasp - only now it doesn't match the chain itself
I'm not sure there's much I can do TBH, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful

OP posts:
Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 14/12/2020 14:21

What is written on the receipt? Take it to another jewellery shop for the gold to be confirmed as 9/18. If it isn't 18 speak to the police.. It is theft surely?

Itsabloodyeuphonium · 14/12/2020 14:24

WTAF?! That’s awful. So they’ve taken the clasp off and put in on a completely different chain? Did he give you a receipt for it when you dropped it off - if that says you dropped off an 18ct chain but you’ve been given a 9ct one back maybe you’ve got a chance.

I’m not sure if the police would be interested but possibly small claims court?

I have no useful advice but was very Angry on your behalf

Nanny0gg · 14/12/2020 14:27

Did you not get a receipt for the repair?

Bluntness100 · 14/12/2020 14:28

Have you taken it to another jeweller to confirm? It could just be a different tone of gold?

SaveMyGrass · 14/12/2020 14:28

I agree with speaking to the police, it is theft pure and simple.

Bearnecessity · 14/12/2020 14:32

Police .....go....

ivfbeenbusy · 14/12/2020 14:34

I think with jewellers you can put a complaint into the Assay office can't you? If you've been sold something as 18ct and it isn't

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 14:43

So they’ve taken the clasp off and put in on a completely different chain?

Yes, that's exactly it - and the "order slip" and receipt both just said it was a chain repair and the cost with no mention of the carats. At the time I didn't attach any importance to it, but of course I now wish I'd made him specify it

I'd wondered about the police, but surely he'd just claim the 18ct clasp and 9ct chain is how I brought it to him?

OP posts:
theemmadilemma · 14/12/2020 14:44

Do you have pictures of the original chain? Good ones or ones you can zoom in on? Ideally take them and the chain to another jeweller and ask their opinion. Get it in writing. Notify the police, and then contact the original jeweller with the evidence from the second jeweller and ask them to correct their 'error'.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 14:44

Have you taken it to another jeweller to confirm?

Sorry, Bluntness, I only just noticed your question - and yes I did

OP posts:
SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 14/12/2020 14:50

I’d be doing as dilemma said.

Does he know it belonged to your mum? Is it on your house insurance at all?

What a bloody awful thing to do Sad

Marmunia1975 · 14/12/2020 14:55

Horrendous - I would contact the police and they can inspect internal CCTV.

m00rfarm · 14/12/2020 14:57

I would go back and suggest to him that a mistake has been made, and if he is insisting it is no mistake, then say you will be reporting it as theft. Even if you claim from the insurance the theft still has to be reported. Do you have any pictures of the chain before you gave it to the jeweller. Is it a chain or an independent shop?

endofthelinefinally · 14/12/2020 14:58

Police and trading standards.
I believe there is a professional organisation for jewellers, but of course the chances are this particular individual isn't a member. Is it an independent business or part of a group?

2020iscancelled · 14/12/2020 14:59

That’s outrageous!

I’d be going back down there (taking someone with me) and telling them they have one chance to rectify it or you will be taking further action and will also be making the details public.

Name and shame!!!

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 14/12/2020 14:59

Sorry - I didn’t mean claim on the insurance. It is irreplaceable.

More is it noted on there as proof you had the chain?

sneakysnoopysniper · 14/12/2020 15:01

Get evidence from another jeweller then a "letter before action". You can find plenty of templates on the internet.

MrsClatterbuck · 14/12/2020 15:04

It's highly unlikely a 9ct chain would have a 18ct clasp.

oakleaffy · 14/12/2020 15:05

Oh OP, that is shocking.
He probably has it for ''scrap''. Gold is supposed to be very valuable at the moment, what with Brexit worries.
Sincerely hope you can get your chain back.
There is a world of difference between the loo of 18ct and 9 ct. 18ct is much richer coloured. What a CHEEK!.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 15:10

I have photos of me wearing it, but not closeup ones and guess one chain looks much like another except for the weight which obviously wouldn't show in pics

And it's an independent, yes - ironically my mum, whose chain it was, used to use them which is largely why I went there (sorry, mum Sad)
I'm liking the idea of Trading Standards since I'm not sure the police will be interested - apart from anything else they'll presumably know if he's done this before

OP posts:
backwardforward · 14/12/2020 15:10

I would go back and say you have proof it is not the same chain you brought in and that you will be taking it further (police) if it is not rectified immediately.

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 14/12/2020 15:12

The police may also know he has done it before...

To me it is theft.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 15:14

18ct is much richer coloured

I know, and that's the other reason why what he'd done was so obvious
It most likely has gone for scrap - or been fitted with another 18ct clasp and sold at 18ct prices - but there's no way he's ever going to admit it

OP posts:
mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 14/12/2020 15:17

I am so sorry to hear this. I do hope you get justice. A similar thing happened to my mother years ago (it wasn't a High Wycombe jeweller, was it?). Her engagement ring had nearly worn through on the band - 9ct gold as all my dad could afford in 1946 and she was worried that some of the diamond chips on the shoulders were loose so jeweller was to repair the thinned bit of band and check the chips and secure them. It came back with no diamond chip and my mother was convinced the actual central diamond itself had been substituted by something that was not a diamond (she was probably right). It actually looked nothing like the ring it had been even to my eyes. My father had recently died, which somehow made the whole thing doubly awful. We had no way of proving what it had been like before.

liveitwell · 14/12/2020 15:17

I'm so sorry. This really ruins your faith in mankind.

Once you've spoken to him, if he refuses to acknowledge it then I would report to Police and Trading Standards and id slate his business all over the internet.

Awful. I hope he's ashamed of himself (although I doubt it).