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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:
XmasBelle · 16/12/2020 09:39

@Puzzledandpissedoff

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

Have you got a photo of you wearing it?

Put the chain on again, and see if it is exactly the same length or drop as the new chain is. Hopefully there will be a difference? Its just a thought

Then shame him on Facebook and social media

SoupDragon · 16/12/2020 09:42

Well that’s her call isn’t it?

Obviously. Where did I say any different? Odd thing to say.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 09:54

@SoupDragon

Well that’s her call isn’t it?

Obviously. Where did I say any different? Odd thing to say.

Well it was also odd to point out that lots of people had been urging her to name and shame when I had obviously read the thread before I made the comment that you commented on!
sqirrelfriends · 16/12/2020 10:02

I don't think you're getting your original chain back, what you can do is get a revenge of sorts. Contact trading standards and leave scathing reviews on every platform you can.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 10:09

@sqirrelfriends

I don't think you're getting your original chain back, what you can do is get a revenge of sorts. Contact trading standards and leave scathing reviews on every platform you can.
She has suffered a financial loss, being the value of the old chain minus the value of the new chain, minus the money she paid for a repair that was never done. That is what would be claimed in legal proceedings.
CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 10:10

PLUS the money paid for the repair- that needs to be refunded.

DebHagland · 16/12/2020 10:13

Firstly you need to get it checked by a different jewellers, old gold can be a different colour to modern gold because at different time periods there has been trends on the mix of metals used in gold jewellery (in the 19th century rose gold was popular now you hardly see it used - copper content in the mix), and unless you are a very experienced jeweller I doubt you could tell the difference between 9ct & 18ct by sight, also there is no weight difference between 18ct & 9ct gold.
Before you take jewellery for repair photograph it or if it is a fairly flat item colour flatbed scan it as this produces really high-res images of jewellery.
Flatbed scanning your jewellery is a good idea as you have a good record of it if it is ever stolen.
Put the item face down on the scanner and lay some dark plain fabric over it, DON'T put the scanner lid down then colour scan each piece.

FancyAnOlive · 16/12/2020 10:14

Gosh so many stories of this happening! I had no idea. I have several bits of jewellery needing repair - will be careful to photograph and get detailed receipts now. Thanks Mumsnetters.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 10:15

@DebHagland she went straight to another jeweller who gave her a certificate confirming that the chain that was returned was 9ct. It’s in one of her updates.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/12/2020 10:20

I think I've answered most of the latest questions already - please correct me at once if I've missed any - but just to clarify I'm not comfortable about naming him on here
Thing is I've had the same username for years, and with the various other bits I've shared it would be a step closer to me being identifiable

Anyway it's now on Facebook and Twitter (carefully worded of course) and as with the replies on MN it's thoroughly depressing to learn how often this happens

The one big thing I've learned is just how important it is to get a full description on any repair receipt ... how I wish I'd known that before

OP posts:
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 16/12/2020 11:58

Hi OP, when your mum left it to you- was it specified in her probate or will or anything as an 18ct chain?

If you have an insurance valuation for this too that would suffice as proof of ownership of the 18ct chain.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/12/2020 12:45

Was it specified in her probate or will or anything as an 18ct chain?

Unfortunately not, since she passed it to me while she was still here rather than as a bequest
Also it's not "named" in my insurance policy since we're not talking thousands here; looking at similar things online I reckon it was worth about £400

OP posts:
Isaidnomorecrisps · 16/12/2020 16:14

I took one of those Trinity rings I was wearing as a wedding ring into a very nice jewellers by Bond Street for a repair and they gave me back one which just about fit on my little finger. Oh no are you sure they said etc etc - I was so confused - then they offered to “add gold to it to make it bigger” as if it were a favour. Anyway long story but same issue.

CheetasOnFajitas · 16/12/2020 20:29

@Isaidnomorecrisps

I took one of those Trinity rings I was wearing as a wedding ring into a very nice jewellers by Bond Street for a repair and they gave me back one which just about fit on my little finger. Oh no are you sure they said etc etc - I was so confused - then they offered to “add gold to it to make it bigger” as if it were a favour. Anyway long story but same issue.
And did you resolve it?
Usernamerequired · 16/12/2020 22:11

@PizzaForOne

Name and shame on all social media and review sites.
Yes take to their Facebook page and warn others. Go to the police first though and end your social media post with “Police have been made aware and are investigating” I hope you get sorted, totally unfair and illegal. The type of person you bring platinum rings to for cleaning and they swap for silver
lilkitten · 17/01/2021 22:14

@Puzzledandpissedoff I'm a jeweller, I would go to Trading Standards and ask for their advice. It is very difficult. It is possible to get the metal scanned - some jewellers are able to do this, and bullion dealers do it (although they will usually only do it if you're planning to sell to them). Scanning tells you the metal content. However, it would be hard to prove that it wasn't that way before you saw the jeweller. I'm so sorry you had this experience. I always write down what the metal and weight are on my receipts when I take in repairs.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/01/2021 22:21

Thanks, lilkitten; it was over and done with in Deceember, but while there was never any doubt about the carat of the replacement chain I've certainly learned a few things ... and one of them is to get an exact description on any receipt in future!!

OP posts:
NiceGerbil · 17/01/2021 22:24

OP I read this when you posted and just saw in active.

I'm so sorry you've been swindled like this. It's an awful feeling let alone with something so important to you.

Some people are just scum. You have all my sympathies x

NiceGerbil · 17/01/2021 22:24

Is the fee a hell jewellers guild or anything that might be interested?

No idea just a thought.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/01/2021 22:27

Thank you NiceGerbil. It only really came back into "active" because lilkitten was kind enough to offer a few tips, but nice to hear from you all the same Flowers

OP posts:
2pinkginsplease · 17/01/2021 22:41

When I worked In a jewellers we would write down the colour of the item as we didn’t check what carats of gold it was however we did write on the receipt how many inches from the clasp the repair was and the actual length of the item.

Eg YM (yellow metal) 18” rope chain. Repair break 7” from clasp,

NiceGerbil · 17/01/2021 22:42

www.naj.co.uk/advice

UK jewellery association. There is a complaints section. Don't know if high Street jewellers have to be members but worth looking into. I know as a trade they are not keen on charlatans for obvious reasons

Glenorma · 17/01/2021 23:09

Rope chain is hard to repair, especially if it’s hollow. I bet he’s fucked it up and melted it, then quickly replaced it with a new chain he had on hand.

Pavlova31 · 16/10/2021 12:24

I remember a similar case a number of years ago.
In that case the lady handed in an 18 carat chain for repair.
The jeweller was working on an identical 9 carat chain on the same day and mixed them up so the ladies were handed back each others jewellery by mistake.
It went to the small claims court where the 18 carat (original owner) received compensation.

Zilla1 · 16/10/2021 13:38

FWIW, a high street jeweller or indeed any jeweller or maker doesn't have to have any professional membership, NAJ, or otherwise in England. I don't even know if NAJ look at complaints of members to see trends nor have some form of mystery shopper. Trading standards might review records of complaints but unless he's desperate or about to cease trading, he might pick and choose his criminality. If it were an accidental swap during a repair or accidental damage then I would have expected his reaction to be different. I'm sorry, OP.