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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:
Crimblecrumble1990 · 14/12/2020 19:46

Definitely go back in ASAP. There is a chance that he still has your original chain and you can get it back and take it elsewhere for a repair. Disgusting that things like this happen.

CheetasOnFajitas · 14/12/2020 19:47

Yes, sorry, I should have clarified that I too favour the “I’m sure there has been a mistake” approach rather than a direct accusation- but you give as one of the reasons for the “mistake” the fact that you can’t see the repair.

Also lay on thick the fact that it was a treasured piece of your Mum’s so you know it very very well, are used to the feel and weight of it etc.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/12/2020 19:48

Can you go back first to the jeweller who confirmed it was 9ct and ask them (a) if they can see a repair in it and (b) if it’s possible to make a repair completely invisible?

Yes, that's another good idea I'll certainly take up. I don't recall if I mentioned they've already given me a note to say it's now an 18ct clasp with a 9ct chain, but the "repair query" didn't occur to me before asking on here

Again, very many thanks to everyone ...

OP posts:
Bluegreen70 · 14/12/2020 19:50

police. It is theft.

VenusTiger · 14/12/2020 20:05

@oakleaffy what with Brexit worries Hmm there's always one. You think lockdown or Brexit makes a thief? Get a grip. You're making excuses.

starfishmummy · 14/12/2020 20:26

Rope chains are often hollow and a repair would be difficult to do and almost certainly not invisibly.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/12/2020 20:41

You may or not want to do this but, assuming you are in England or Wales, it's perfectly legal to record the conversion without his permission. Although covert recordings are not always admissible in court, they can be admitted if they provide proof that evidence given (by the jeweller in this case) was untrue. Or you could tell him up front that you are recording.

WiddlinDiddlin · 14/12/2020 20:51

I'd be asking to see where the repair was if he has actually repaired it himself/in his own store... rope chains are not easy repairs, it may be that he sent it off and the switch was done elsewhere, or that someone else in the shop bodged it...

There could be any number of answers but tread carefully, don't blow all your ammunition at once here, give them the chance to put it right first if getting the original chain back to you is your primary goal here.

NotMiranda · 14/12/2020 20:53

Can one of the jewellers on the thread say roughly how much less valuable a 9ct chain would be than an 18ct one?

And OP, like most on here, I think going back one more time but being absolutely prepared to involve the police and TS is your best approach.

Zilla1 · 14/12/2020 21:37

@NotMiranda, it will depend on the design as the amount of metal can differ in different designs as I thought the OP said the two chains appeared different.

For chains, (or any jewellery items with no stones), the simplistic cost (not price) would be driven by the total weight of metal and by the amount of work then overheads.

If the two chains were identical gauge so the amount of work would be broadly the same, the 18ct item contains twice as much gold as 9ct - 18ct is 75% gold and 9ct is 37.5% gold. Some cultures don't regard 9ct as a precious metal hence very simplistically the starting point might be twice as much.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 15/12/2020 09:32

@NotMiranda

Can one of the jewellers on the thread say roughly how much less valuable a 9ct chain would be than an 18ct one?

And OP, like most on here, I think going back one more time but being absolutely prepared to involve the police and TS is your best approach.

If it was scrapped- 9ct is worth £15 a gram whereas 18ct is £30 per gram.
ThatIsNotMyUsername · 15/12/2020 09:34

I wonder if he botched the job and did a switch ?

CoffeeCreamandSugar · 15/12/2020 09:46

I’d definitely give him a final chance before

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/12/2020 11:03

Okay, if anyone's still interested I just got back from town with the friend I took along; not surprisingly it didn't go well

I tried the "I'm certain a mistake's been made" - no he doesn't make mistakes like that. Plus "show me where the repair is" - no, he's so skilled I won't see it. "Did he do the job himself?" - Yes, and he doesn't outsource anyway because nobody else is as good. Oh, and I took it to the other jeweller first and they can't see a repair either

I moved on to how much the chain meant to me and that I'd have to report it if this isn't sorted, and this is where it turned nasty. Apparently he's "met people like me before" and I've "obviously done it myself and am trying to cheat him", so he's going to report me

Yeah, good luck with that sunshine ... except I also spoke to the police, and as expected they said there's nothing they can do unless I have a receipt

So I'm at a dead end except for taking it to trading standards, hopefully to stop this happening to anyone else. It's a hell of a shame and obviously I'm not happy, but wanted to thank everyone here for their kind advice and support

OP posts:
CheetasOnFajitas · 15/12/2020 11:29

Well done OP. What a piece of work he is.

The police are not correct in that they can do nothing, but unfortunately they are entitled to say that they don’t want to do anything.

Small claims is your way forward, if you can be bothered. NB the standard of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal (“balance of probabilities” vs “beyond reasonable doubt”.)

Did he say outright that it was 9ct all along- he’s not trying to tell you the chain you have is really 18ct is he?

Don’t get hung up on the receipt. However, on a scale of 1 to 10, how confident are you that the chain you gave him to repair was an 18ct gold chain?

user1471565182 · 15/12/2020 11:34

Leave him reviews saying what happened all over the place

user1471565182 · 15/12/2020 11:35

And id see if you could get local newspaper involved. You cant let shitebags like this steal peoples sentimental stuff.

Strangedayindeed · 15/12/2020 11:40

This is awful! So sorry op! Can you make them
So we don’t make the mistake of going there?

Strangedayindeed · 15/12/2020 11:40

Name*

GabsAlot · 15/12/2020 11:49

shame he didnt take the threat of police seriously-i woldnt want to risk being bad mouthed as a business right now

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/12/2020 11:50

Yes, I strongly suspect the police just can't be bothered with this; after all it's not exactly the Brink's Mat heist
The jeweller's adamant it was always a 9ct chain and never changed, and yes I'm absolutely certain it was 18ct ... also the switch was very obvious in terms of weight and colour, and 9ct chains don't come with 18ct clasps

So yes, the (factual) reviews will be posted and if he wants to sue me for them he's very welcome to try

Just off to disappear for a few hours; I volunteer at our local library on Tuesdays, which will at least take my mind off it

OP posts:
Longdistance · 15/12/2020 11:53

This nearly happened to me. We bought my engagement ring in Antigua. 18ct yellow gold princess cut diamond trilogy ring.
I took to a jewellers you get adjusted as it was slightly too big for my finger. I also wanted a valuation for the insurance.
The guy told me it was foreign rubbish worth only a grand. Little did he know I was cabin crew who has travelled the world and knew it was worth much more. I snatched it back from his hand and walked out.
I went to another jewellers and he valued it at £4,500. He knew of this other jeweller and his ‘reputation’.
It’s theft. Go to the police.

CheetasOnFajitas · 15/12/2020 12:00

Here’s a suggestion- while it is all fresh in your mind, write everything down. The timeline of when you handed it in, when you collected it, who else was in the shop at the time, what was said by each of you each time in as much detail as you can, when you went to the other shop and what you asked and what they said. You don’t need to do anything with any of this right now but you’ll have the notes if you want to do anything in future and also if, God forbid, he tries to sue you for something said on social media or something. (By the way, who exactly was he planning to report you to?!). Whatever you do, make sure you have your own account straight in your mind and keep it simple, unemotional, factual and consistent whenever you share the info with individuals, authorities or online.

CheetasOnFajitas · 15/12/2020 12:01

You’ve got 6 years to go to small claims by the way- no rush!

Yohoheaveho · 15/12/2020 12:02

met people like me before
He speaks the truth, he has met people like you before ....people who weren't quite as dumb as he thought and who spotted what he done and called him out on it
Previously when he met people like you I expect he also pulled the classic 'darvo' manoeuvre (Deny, Accuse, Reverse Victim & Offender) I wonder if they all backed down or did they try to take it further, what did he do then?