Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 14/12/2020 15:18

He might admit he has magically found your chain if the police turn up.

When did this happen? The sooner you deal with it the better. The longer you leave it the easier he can dispose of it.

ferretface · 14/12/2020 15:18

No 9ct chain would be sold with an 18ct hallmark because that would be illegal...I would be tempted to report to police and trading standards. You could also get the metal purity tested at another jeweller so you have an independent record that the chain is not the same alloy.

dottiedodah · 14/12/2020 15:18

I would be informing Trading Standards personally .They will know the correct way of dealing with it, and what to do.Sadly many Jewellers can be unscroupulous and pull these kind of Scams .

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 15:24

So sorry it happened to you too, mrsjoyful

To answer questions (forgive me if I miss any) it's an east midlands jeweller, he had it for a week and I picked it up last Saturday, and another jeweller has already confirmed it's now become a 9ct chain on an 18ct clasp

And yes, I shall give trading standards a call

OP posts:
WhereverIGoddamnLike · 14/12/2020 15:28

Go back in, and give him an out. Just say something like "I brought in an 18ct chain, and I did question it when you handed it back but I have since had it checked by another jeweller who has confirmed it is now a 9ct chain. I have had this chain cleaned and repaired before so I have documentation stating that it was 18ct. I believe a member of your staff has changed it, so I'm here to have it changed back otherwise I will take legal action".

That should get him to act. I know you dont have paperwork saying it but he doesnt know that. The only issue you have is that you left the premises, si they may claim you've had it changed.

WeeWelshWoman · 14/12/2020 15:29

Get the chain assayed. Report theft to police.

lifestooshort123 · 14/12/2020 15:30

I would tell him that you are going to trading standards and that you will also put your story on social media. A jeweller needs to be trusted and the thought of you going public may make him have a rethink. Could he have farmed the repair out do you think? Anyway, go back in with a friend and give him both barrels in a calm and controlled way - give him the opportunity to own up to what went wrong and where your chain is before telling him what is going to happen next. Good luck.

CheetasOnFajitas · 14/12/2020 15:36

Trading standards should be able to help, but make sure you call them ASAP.

How were you expecting it to be repaired, should they have been able to replace a few links? What did you pay for the repair? (My thinking is that the repair price agreed may have been proof they were charging you to repair 18 carats not 9).

HappyThursdays · 14/12/2020 15:39

what an absolutely dreadful thing to do

if you were anywhere near me, I would come with you to complain. I think you need to go in mob handed - if you've got a dp or dh, take him with or if not, take someone with you so you don't get upset. I would be utterly bloody furious. I would go back and threaten to tell the police. It is theft whichever way you look at it and this is probably a small piece in a bigger picture of what he is doing (you may find he moves stolen goods or something like that and the police have an eye on him - they tend to know the dodgy jewellers in their area!).

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 15:41

Cheetas one of the links had broken and apparently needed soldering (or whatever they call it with gold) and the repair cost me £35

I've just called trading standards and it's gone to voicemail (??) so will try again tomorrow

OP posts:
CheetasOnFajitas · 14/12/2020 15:44

So when he denied it, did he point to a bit on this 9ct chain that had supposedly been soldered?

What was the 18ct chain worth?

Did you tell the other jeweller (who confirmed 9ct) what had happened (maybe without naming names), or just ask if they could tell you the carats of the chain? If you told them, interested to know what they said.

Europilgrim · 14/12/2020 15:44

I would go back and say (without accusing anyone) that the chain is not the same chain that you brought in and so you are going to report it to the police and to your insurance company. However, you would like to ask him if, perhaps it might have "accidentally" have been mixed up and would he like to check one last time before you do that.

cardswapping · 14/12/2020 15:44

I would go back to him, say you had the chain checked and your next stop is the police and you are giving him the chance to "correct his mistake" before you go. If he does not change it back (there and then) do go to the police.

@mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork this is horrid. My engagement ring needs repairing and I have not had it done yet as I am worried the diamond will be swapped and I will be none the wiser.
Reading this thread, I might get it certified first and then take it in, then rechecked. Might be the way.

Hoppinggreen · 14/12/2020 15:46

Something similar happened to me.
I told the shop person I was going to leave my item with them for 24 hours, when I collected it if it wasn’t as expected I would call The Police. They denied any wrong doing but I said I would leave it anyway and see what happened
When I went to collect it it was as it should be. They didn’t have to admit to anything so didn’t lose face but it did get sorted

cardswapping · 14/12/2020 15:46

On another note, I used the "going to the police" after a car accident Guy initially gave his phone/details as did not want to go to insurance and said he would pay, but then stopped answering my calls when the repair cost came in.
I went to police to declare it and the police man said, give him a last text, say you are at police station and it is his last chance. I did this and the guy called back, turned up and paid!

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 14/12/2020 15:50

Trading standards isnt going to help you.

Their role is to shut down bad operators. They take close down business etc if a business is breaking the law, and your reports help with that. But they do not help directly with your actual problem. They wont get you a refund or replacement or compensation.

You need to call the police, or get a solicitor (or us a template letter from the internet) or go back down there and give him another chance.

Zilla1 · 14/12/2020 15:51

if you are 100% certain then I would go and speak to the owner manager if different then explain if necessary you'll organise witness statements and photographs of your DM then register with the police then small claims court and lots and lots of local sad face publicity.

Terribly sorry, OP. Unconscionable behaviour.

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 14/12/2020 15:51

Consumer advice can also help you. They will give you the specific advice you need for your situation.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/

Zilla1 · 14/12/2020 15:53

You can check if they are a member of the NAJ and, if so, make a complaint with them., too.

In effect, make the costs of them sitting on their hand greater than returning your item with infinite sentimental value.

You could ask on local social media if anyone has received any fraudulent behaviour from this jeweller too.

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 14/12/2020 15:53

And possibly by the time trading standards is able to deal with your message, your chain will be long gone.

Your chain has effectively been stolen. If he doesn’t take half an hour to rectify his ‘error’, I’d be calling the police.

Oblomov20 · 14/12/2020 15:57

A photo of you wearing it is evidence. I'd go in with someone, Dh or a friend, so you have a witness. Tell him you have evidence. Ask him to correct it. Subtly threaten him. I'm not sure what with! Can you threaten him with small claims court? Is that possible?

EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide · 14/12/2020 15:57

What an absolute shocking cheek!

Hayeahnobut · 14/12/2020 15:57

Wherever is correct, TS won't deal with this unless he is a repeat offender. Your options are the police or small claims. I'm not sure there's much the police can do without additional evidence, even if there is cctv in the shop it's unlikely to give enough detail to be useful. But involving the police, or sending a letter before action (for small claims), may unsettle the retailer enough to make him put things right.

It won't get you your money back, but social media is very useful in publicising dodgy businesses.

Zilla1 · 14/12/2020 15:59

Have seen similar in the past where an item was repaired with worthless replacement stones and where a ring was remanufactured by taking most of the 18t gold out and replaced with act gold. I suppose there are unscrupulous people in every industry.

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 14/12/2020 16:00

I really wish people on mumsnet would stop shouting "call trading standards" every time something related to consumer rights happens. They do not deal with individual cases. You csnt even report directly to them. They wont help you. They shut down repeat offenders so of course report it so they can find out a pattern if it exists, but it wont get you what you need.

Swipe left for the next trending thread