Ebay: bought locket as gold 2 yrs ago, just found out it's not, WWYD?

NotSoNiftyAtBeingThrifty

Argh! Was about to sell a large gold locket I bought from a reputable dealer on Ebay 2 years ago since I don't wear it and need to raise cash.

I paid £130 for something described as "pristine 9ct rose gold Edwardian locket" which was inlaid with semi precious stone and seed pearls. No mention of it being plate at all, was sold as if solid 9ct.

It was an investment as far as I was concerned, the price of gold was going up etc.

I was going to list it on Ebay myself last year but didn't feel confident about selling jewellery and offered it back to the dealer but he said, "on this occasion" he was unable to buy it back.

I've just had it valued and been told that it is only plated, 26% gold in total.

I feel quite upset really, and I know its been a couple of years but surely you can't defraud people like that? It's not like it was a mistake, he's a dealer in antique metals and says he tests his metals so he knows what he is doing.

Is there anything I can to or am I stuffed and just have to accept I have been ripped off/lied to?

:mad:

Buggles

There isnt anything you can do, it was so long ago!

NotSoNiftyAtBeingThrifty

But what if he is still doing this, passing plate stuff off as solid gold? He's a proper dealer with a shop, just sells on Ebay on the side.

NotSoNiftyAtBeingThrifty

And to be honest, when you buy jewellery, it's not the first thing on your mind to take it to get it tested to make sure it is genuine, is it? When you buy from a "reputable" source.

soolin

It would be an offence if it is hallmarked as gold and isn't. If it isn't hallmarked and the weight is sufficient for it to require a hallmark then it was never legally solid gold. However, I relaise that doesn't help you now after 2 years.

cyberbob

Did it have a Hallmark. 9ct gold would have to have a Hallmark. A plated piece does not have to have one.

If you have copies of the original auction showing the listing claiming it was 9ct you could consider Small claims court.

sharnad

dont think there will be anything that you can do as it is so long ago

NotSoNiftyAtBeingThrifty

Thanks guys. I guess I'm actually just most bothered about having been lied to. Its not really the money.

soolin

NotSoNiftyAtBeingThrifty wrote: »

Thanks guys. I guess I'm actually just most bothered about having been lied to. Its not really the money.

If you buy gold or anything really as an investment it is worth checking out the hallmark requirements in future just in case your seller is not alone in his sales tactics.

kazwookie

Hallmarks, I always check them first, even bought a loupe to do it with, (about £7 )and 100g max digital scales (about £9.99) to check weights, and excuse the pun have been worth their weight in gold!!

Also I down loaded the hallmarks from the assey (sp) houses from the internet, so have a ready handy list.

I also email the sellers if it is not clear and ask:- what are the hall marks / weight please? (you would be suprised how many of so called traders/ businesses don't have a clue, so I avoid at all costs)

Depending on their reply, depends if I consider buying or not.

Hopefully this will help someone or you for next time.

NotSoNiftyAtBeingThrifty

"This particular locket has no gold markings but we have carefully ‘check tested’ the piece and confirm it is '9ct Gold Back & Front' category.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](9ct Back & Front is a locket category where the front and back panels are of solid 9ct gold, and check tested here, the internal frame and rims are not gold. This method of construction was used primarily to achieve greater strength and durability of the locket).[/FONT]"
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That is how he is describing a similar aged locket he is selling. He also describes lockets that have a mark that means "9 carat front and back" and describes them similarly as having been tested on site and having internal frame and rims that are not gold.

Now I thought internal frame and rim would mean the small bits inside that hold the photo in... but surely solid gold front and back would mean a gold content of more than 26%?
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