Jeweller swapped my ring!

rushnowt

thats a real shame, i know a few friends have mentioned they'd contacted them in the past and had their problems resolved.

Ticklemouse

I have to say that whilst I am extremely angry/upset by what the jeweller did, she did it out of stupidity, not malice. She didn't think to ring (pardon the pun) me before she swapped it, to see if that was what I wanted. As I have said, whilst technically she has commited theft, I wouldn't want to destroy her business by going public on the radio etc. She has a small shop, not one of the big chains so there isn't really that much else in the shop that I like (unless she'll allow me to really up the price on what else I can choose)

Dependant on what happens tomorrow, ie getting the ring back or not, will depend on how I deal with this. However, I shall certainly be doing everything I can and I am most thankful for all your suggestions. I shall let you know how I get on.

Poppy9

Ticklemouse

This is really a strange one. OH used to be a diamond mounter. Can't understand why they would swop your ring - I too would have expected them to maybe get you one to view but not just swop it. As with all stones is can be difficult to get a colour match and if it is proving too difficult the decision is often taken to replace all the stones so they match.

If you do get it back - go back to the repairer you originally tried. No doubt he could get you a stone and sounds a decent sort as many would have just taken the work off you. Also there is no need for it to be posted away (mail may go astray in the post). A general note for anyone taking repairs to any jewellery shop - check whether they will repair on site or send away. Most towns have small repairs who will do the work on site - but again check how good they are. A cowboy sizing a ring can dislodge stones, crack the ring head etc. chains may become rigid. Don't be afraid to ask them where they trained and what they are trained as. A diamond mounter is a goldsmith who specialises in making the mount for stone to be set in. They are also good all round goldsmiths. They need extra, separate training to be a stone setter though they will be capable of setting stones they would not usually risk a very expensive stone and would prefer to send to a setter. Ask to see some of their handmade work - they would make pieces while training which they keep. Then there are the real sharks. You take in a 24" chain for a quick solder and get a 18" chain back or a diamond swopped for a cz. Work on recomendation as it does happen. Finally if a jeweller is selling gold or silver jewellery they must clearly display the British Hallmark sign.

Also treat your opal with care. Very delicate stones that don't like extreme temperatures so no washing up or bathing with it on

I have bought small stones from this company - never used their setting service though.

Capital gems

If you are near the Birmingham jewellery quarter you could just visit stone suppliers to try to get a colour match.

Good luck.

Ticklemouse

Grrr - just wrote long reply and it's all died on me!!!!

Anyway, abridged version of what I originaly wrote......

She has managed to track down my ring and it's being sent back to her. She still reckons she can't get it fixed and has tried Birmingham and Manchester. Local, reputable jeweller says they can do it and there should be no probs sourcing appropriate stone - can't understand how it could take 7 months!

Trading Standards agree to giving her 30 days to fix it before going via Small Claims to get cost of proper repair. Letter going off this week.

I spoke to her and gave her advance warning of this. She's really wet TBH and eventually she agreed that she would have to find another repairer. I've even said I will contact B'Ham Jewellery Quarter to find suppliers of these Iolites/Companies who can repair.

Strangely though, she keeps asking for my receipt - I have it somewhere. Gave her date (Aug 03) it was bought on but she now says she's thrown those receipt books away, because her year ends Aug 31st!! Thought you had to keep books for 7 years? She also claims I told her I would accept Opal/Pink Sapphire replacement (untrue) cos her repair receipt states she called me 6/8/04 and told me she couldn't repair (true) couldn't find another opal/Iolite ring (true) and I had said she could keep it until she got it repaired (true) - so why would I accept replacement? Basically told her I thought she'd added this bit on recently!!

Once this is done, I think I'm going to name and shame!!

Poppy9 - I have pm'd you

rushnowt

derrick wrote:

GMR have stopped doing that a few months ago,it was good,but now they have guest "experts" on once a week but there is no intervention or follow up.
You would get the same or better advice via Trading Standards

Aparently they are still doing it, he was on today according to friends of mine who listened to the show

Allan Beswick 9-12 weekdays, Sat 7-9am

derrick

Yes rush,he is still on,but doesn`t do the phone in as usual,on Mondays he has a guest for the last hour but it is not as in depth as he used to do and they don`t interevene on your behalf, therefore my previous comment stands

rushnowt

of course it does derrick, how could i think anything else

Ticklemouse

Letter has gone winging her way giving her the 30 days.

There's also a bit in there about having a solicitor willing to take on my case if she doesn't get it done and the fact I will be claiming for cost of repair, costs of inconvenience as well as legal costs. That should make her get her finger out.

(Isn't it nice when you have a friend whose hubby is a solicitor and he'll help you out;) )

To be continued......

rushnowt

Good on ya Ticklemouse, i really hope everything gets sorted very quickly for ya, fingers crossed

VelvetGlove

Read this thread with a mix of incredulity and horror! I can't believe what you have been through with your precious ring

Ticklemouse, I think it is handy that you have some police background info and also some useful friends to help out. If this had happened to me I wouldn't have known where to go or what to do and would have no doubt had the inferior ring right now. Thanks for sharing this and I'll be coming back every few days to see how you are getting on and if there are any updates. At least if anything like this happens to me now I'll be a little better armed just in case...

Good luck!