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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:
Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/12/2020 12:02

Here’s a suggestion - while it is all fresh in your mind, write everything down

Already done, Cheetahs Wink

Anyway, really must be off now ...

OP posts:
Yohoheaveho · 15/12/2020 12:05

If this was me I'm not sure I would pursue it, you don't know how nasty he is, he might be the front end for a criminal setup and you have already made yourself known to him
you'd be in a stronger position if you hadn't yet identified yourself as a dissatisfied customer and if you could get together a group of other similarly dissatisfied customers

CheetasOnFajitas · 15/12/2020 12:09

How exactly do you avoid identifying yourself as a dissatisfied customer when someone hands you back a necklace that is not the valuable one that you handed in? You’re hardly going to just pay up and not mention it!

makingmiracles · 15/12/2020 12:36

What a horrible situation op, I’m fuming on your behalf, what a crook.
Sadly I’ve also heard of similar stories and once took a diamond and opal ring in to have the clasp tightened and it came back scratched, I didn’t notice initially as I don’t wear it all the time, but running my finger over the top, which I’d done many times before and it now feels rough and scratched. Nothing I could do but I wouldn’t use them again.

HannaYeah · 15/12/2020 13:13

How infuriating. I’d want to picket the place.

Gobbycop · 15/12/2020 13:21

Drive a stolen vehicle through the front of his shop and rob the place.

LuckyNumberThirteen · 15/12/2020 13:32

@Gobbycop

Drive a stolen vehicle through the front of his shop and rob the place.
I second this!
GinandGingerBeer · 15/12/2020 13:54

I'm so sorry this has happened. It has really pissed me off so I don't know how you're so calm about it Blush (or appear to be)
I think I'd be taking the car through the window option.
I can't think of anything else you could do. Rogue Traders? I bet he's doing it all the time.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 15/12/2020 13:54

Well done for doing your research OP, & for going back & facing him. I'm sorry you didn't get a good outcome.

cardswapping · 15/12/2020 13:57

I second @ifIwerenotanandroid. It took courage and hopefully he will get his comeuppance!

Zilla1 · 15/12/2020 13:57

OP, why don't you ask a friend active on local social media to post on social media to ask if anyone has had positive and negative experiences with this jeweller and see what emerges. The jeweller can't have a go at your unknown friend for this fishing exercise. Is he a member of the NAJ?

endofthelinefinally · 15/12/2020 14:02

If the original chain is included in your house insurance it might be worth giving them a call.

PlanBea · 15/12/2020 14:12

@Puzzledandpissedoff do you wear a pendant on the chain? (Sorry if you've already mentioned it). 9ct is much harder than 18ct, if you had an 18ct pendant on a 9ct chain there would be marks on the pendant where it runs, certainly after years. Likewise, where was the break, mid chain or at the clasp? There would be marking between where the 9ct chain rubs against the 18ct clasp, which would show up assuming it's the same clasp?

Derelictwreck · 15/12/2020 14:52

The jeweller's adamant it was always a 9ct chain and never changed, and yes I'm absolutely certain it was 18ct

But he also said you had done it yourself, presumably meaning switching chains. So would he like to pick a story to stick to?!

safariboot · 15/12/2020 15:45

Can't say I'm surprised. The crook knows perfectly well you can't prove it. I have little faith in the police to investigate "minor" crimes, the government doesn't provide the funding for it.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/12/2020 15:45

he also said you had done it yourself, presumably meaning switching chains. So would he like to pick a story to stick to?!

Just got back, and I'd say it's obvious he'll tell whatever story suits at the time, which is about what I'd expect from a thief

And I'm not especially "calm" about it, but trying not to let him cause any more damage than he already has ... why let the bast**d win on that score as well?

PlanBea the break was about 2 inches down from the clasp and it's an 18 inch rope chain, so no pendants or whatever have been used on it

OP posts:
PlanBea · 15/12/2020 16:23

@Puzzledandpissedoff as the break wasn't at the join from the chain to the clasp, if it was always 9ct on 18ct there would be damage to the 18ct section. I doubt you want to go and have a third attempt at speaking to them but just useful to know as further evidence to back up what you already know

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/12/2020 16:46

if it was always 9ct on 18ct there would be damage to the 18ct section

Yes that had occurred to me, PlanBea, but you're right that I see no point at all in approaching him again
All I've had so far is lies and that's unlikely to change

OP posts:
Hayeahnobut · 15/12/2020 16:52

Have you reported it to the CAB advice line mentioned earlier? They inform TS if they see a pattern of reports.

Memom · 15/12/2020 17:08

Do you have a male that could go in the shop and try and deal with this man? I know it shouldn't be necessary but you still get some idiots who are of the mindset that a female can't possibly be right! Had it recently with a car issue.

DagenhamRoundhouse · 15/12/2020 17:38

Did you have a photo by any chance?

Shona52 · 15/12/2020 17:41

This happened to my grandad they claimed they lost it. Wasn't till he said he was getting the police involved they miraculously found it. (Was a well know chain of jewelers). I would be making a lot of noise about it. You might find this pushes them. But go to the police

mummy203 · 15/12/2020 17:43

What did you have mended on it. The clasp or something on the actual chain part?

keffie12 · 15/12/2020 18:07

I can't get over 4% have gone for YABU! I can only hope they hit the wrong selection.

BlueSuffragette · 15/12/2020 18:08

I'd go back and say you have now found a photograph of the original chain and her has 48 hours to solve the problem or you will inform trading standards, social media etc He may have a rethink . The bad publicity will cost him more than he made by switching the chains. I'd point this out to him and let him think it over.

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