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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:
Yespresh · 15/12/2020 18:12

Omg that is outrageous. Go in asap and threaten social media and police

Wilkie1956mog · 15/12/2020 18:25

Do what you said, take someone with you (ideally a big burly bloke) and tell him if he doesn't make it right, you will notify the police and you will also go around sticking posters on lamp posts stating that he is a thief, and you and your friends will be prepared to stand outside his shop for several hours each day telling passers by and prospective customers what he did. And you will post it all over Social Media. If he says you can't prove it, tell him that yes, you can, because you took photos and showed them to a friend immediately before taking it into his shop. And you'll be taking them to the police. Call his bluff.

LisaD76 · 15/12/2020 18:27

A jewellers should put what metal the item is and a weight of the item on the repair slip.... threaten him with the police and trading standards as you know it was an 18 carat chain.... also demand he show you where it was repaired as it is always obvious on rope chains.... hopefully it will not have a break in the place you remember yours having been broken

BlueThistles · 15/12/2020 18:40

@LisaD76

A jewellers should put what metal the item is and a weight of the item on the repair slip.... threaten him with the police and trading standards as you know it was an 18 carat chain.... also demand he show you where it was repaired as it is always obvious on rope chains.... hopefully it will not have a break in the place you remember yours having been broken
OP has already did all this 🌺
Zoejj77 · 15/12/2020 18:44

Things like this are more common than you would like to imagine. Swooping out diamonds etc

Dawninglory · 15/12/2020 19:21

I would stand outside his shop putting off customers, telling them what a thief he his.

FelicisNox · 15/12/2020 20:02

Go back to the jeweller, tell him you've had the chain he gave you verified as 9ct and unless he returns your mother's chain immediately you will contact the police, the Assay Office the local newspaper and you will post what he's done on social media and that's just for starters because you will also be involving the small claims court.

Make it clear: not only is this chain a family piece but you will go to town on him purely on principle because what he's done is theft. Then refuse to move until he returns your chain, take a friend with you if you require support.

MimiDaisy11 · 15/12/2020 21:06

That's so frustrating. I can't imagine it's the first time he's done this. I would hope other people have reported it to the police etc but I guess when you went there they had no record. I think the social media angle is good.

Not that it helps you but it's a good reminder for everyone to make a record of your item before handing it for repair etc and it's good to ask for a receipt detailing the items.

Diorling · 15/12/2020 21:10

You must be devastated. This happened to me. I caught my three stone diamond engagement ring on a window handle and damaged it. I took it to my favourite - and very reputable - jeweller, who looked at it and quoted a huge price, so I took it to a smaller jeweller, who was more reasonable, and left it there to be repaired. I couldn’t wait to get it back and was delighted when they said it was ready for collection. I had recently broken my leg and was in an electric buggy which didn’t fit through the door, so my daughter went to collect it. The moment I saw it I knew it wasn’t mine. The stones were tiny - and the ring was several sizes larger and hung on my finger. Daughter went back in the shop to complain - and they said I must have lost weight following my accident! Got very upset, and took the ring to the first jeweller. They said it was definitely not the same ring as the main diamond was cracked and mine was flawless. So I wrote a letter to say if it wasn’t sorted I would be going to the police. The shop rang me back saying it definitely was my ring. I sent a solicitors letter ( which I could ill afford as I’d lost my job due to the accident). They then said it MIGHT have been an error, as they had taken in a second 3 stone diamond ring for repair at the same time and might have confused them. However they first said the other ring had been returned, before then saying it was in the workshop which was locked for the holidays. At that point I called the police. The following day the jeweller returned my ring and gave me a bouquet of flowers as an apology. I gave them back the other ring and accepted it was done ‘in error’. That could so easily have happened here.
Don’t give up. Stick to your guns. Don’t let these sharks get away with it. Good luck. I’m rooting for you.

Celestine70 · 15/12/2020 21:14

I would post all over FB, social media and try and get the press interested.

Celestine70 · 15/12/2020 21:15

Maybe a solicitor letter?

Celestine70 · 15/12/2020 21:16

Also name and shame on here, I'm fuming for you.

Somanysocks · 15/12/2020 21:37

I'm angry on your behalf op, don't give in.

I suppose this is warning to everyone to take loads of close up photos before leaving jewellery with anyone.

Housecar · 15/12/2020 21:37

Name and shame. He’s an outright thief.

Bossyboots88 · 15/12/2020 23:25

Rope chains cannot be repaired the same as a normal chain...if it is in fact your chain the repaired section will be visible under close inspection and that section of the chain will be sort of stiff.

retired60 · 16/12/2020 01:23

I took a ring to be made bigger and when I got it back one of the diamonds looked duller. The jeweller said he had cleaned it and the other stones now looked brighter. Giving the impression that one was duller. I’m sure he swapped a diamond. Nothing I can do. That was a couple of years ago.

BedknobsNoBroomsticks · 16/12/2020 06:38

It doesn't sound like you will get anywhere with the jeweller. Next report to trading standards, cab, jewellers association (whatever their name is), and take him to small claims.

You have a report from another jeweller stating that you don't get 18ct on 9ct and that there appears to be no sign of a repair.

Twofingers · 16/12/2020 08:21

Put your case in writing to the jeweller and keep a copy of your letter. You need a paper trail so in any court action it can be seen how you have tried to resolve it.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 08:48

Can be very simple.

Head it up- Letter before Action

On x date I brought [description] to you for repair of [describe damage and location of break].
A price of £35 was agreed.
On y date I called to collect the repaired chain and you returned a different chain to me. I have had this chain inspected by [jeweller], who have confirmed that it is a 9ct gold chain showing no signs of any repair. I enclose a copy of the certificate they gave me.

Rather than repairing my chain as agreed you have returned one to me of lesser value. Please contact me to arrange the return of my property at your earliest convenience.

If my property is not returned to me by close of business on [ date] I will issue legal proceedings against you.

Yours sincerely

SoupDragon · 16/12/2020 09:16

The problem is that the OP cant prove any of this. Possibly apart from the chain not having a visible repair to it...? She could end up with costs higher than the value of the necklace - especially if the jeweller goes for slander/defamation or something.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 09:30

@SoupDragon

The problem is that the OP cant prove any of this. Possibly apart from the chain not having a visible repair to it...? She could end up with costs higher than the value of the necklace - especially if the jeweller goes for slander/defamation or something.
@SoupDragon small claims courts costs are minimal and the parties can’t use lawyers so no risk of having to pay the opponent’s legal bill if you lose.

In any event I explained upthread that a witness statement from a credible witness can be sufficient evidence to prove a case. Yes, documentary or photographic evidence helps but it is not the only evidence that can be presented. That is why I asked OP on a scale of 1 to 10 how certain she was that the chain she dropped off was 18ct and not the same one.

In any event you can drop a case at any stage, sending a LBA doesn’t commit you to anything.

The risk of a suit for defamation can be managed by being careful about what you say in a public.

SEwds · 16/12/2020 09:35

i used to work at a jewellers and when we took items in for repair we used to make note of the weight of the item and note any clear identifible defects etc. did he book it in and weigh it and give you a copy of the receipt? do you have a picture of what it looked like? is it an independant jeweller? i would pursue it further.....if they are a local jeweller and depend on local business they should be willing to ensure that you are happy with the service they have provided otherwise it could effect future business should it go public about what has happened.

SoupDragon · 16/12/2020 09:36

The risk of a suit for defamation can be managed by being careful about what you say in a public.

There are lots of posters urging the OP to "name and shame" and stand out side the shop/post on social media warning people.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 09:37

And it’s important to understand that if she brings a claim then the jeweller has to file a defence stating his side of the story and that has to be supported by a Statement of Truth- if he is found to be lying he can be held in contempt of court. That often makes people think twice before perpetuating a lie in legal proceedings.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 09:37

@SoupDragon

The risk of a suit for defamation can be managed by being careful about what you say in a public.

There are lots of posters urging the OP to "name and shame" and stand out side the shop/post on social media warning people.

Well that’s her call isn’t it?