£2k Ernest & Jones voucher - cannot replace items in store :-(

jenza8

We had the same when my husband lost his wedding ring and we claimed on the insurance. Obviously we wanted the same as his original wedding ring so the voucher was unacceptable as Ernest Jones/H Samuel did not do a similar ring. Insurance company originally said tough - we could buy a platinum wedding band from Ernest Jones and so it was not their concern that we couldn't get the same shaped ring. We pursued it though and got in touch with people higher up in the insurance company (go to someone on board of directors if you have to). They eventually agreed to replace the ring using the company we'd originally bought it from. They didn't send us the money - they sorted it out with the company.

I would try talking to managers / directors in the insurance company and would recommend doing it via letters as then you have a record of what has been said. A threat of the ombudsman sometimes works too. They tell you here what to do to start a complaint. Check your insurance policy booklet too - it should tell you what the company are willing to offer to replace goods. Doesn't seem fair that you can't replace the items that you've claimed for.

blue_monkey_2

I personally would not risk such a high value gift card on eBay because you only have seller protection up to £500 on there.

Could you buy collectables or a couple of expensive watches something and flog them on eBay so you get something for them?

Or those charm things everyone is after at the moment.

molerat

I would take it up as an official complaint with the insurance co.

McKneff

I agree with molerat, escalate it into a complaint.

My OH lost his gold bracelet worth about £450 and i didnt want to go to some big overpriced retailer, I fought to replace the bracelet from our own little independant jeweller in our market town and was sent a cheque to cover the item.

I dont know how far yu will get really, you should have escalated before you accepted the voucher but as another poster says,
you have nothing to lose.

What kidn of things were stolen that Ernst Wotsit doesnt sel and that other jewellers do.

scrattyrat

Thanks for the replies. I have a massive list of complaints that i will definately be making including to the ombudsman. I am still waiting for them to validate certain other items of jewellery as they initially refused to even consider anything we did not have a receipt for! Of course this bit of info was never mentioned at time of buying the policy or stipulated anywhere i can see, but the company i bought policy through (AA) has had virtually no input whatsoever, immediatley handing it over to a local loss adjuster who are very much 'computer says no' with the attitude of they can do what they like and anything i dont like is not their problem they are simply acting on behalf of the AA. In the end some cheques I have had paid out are not from the AA anyway but CO-OP! My advice would be stay well clear of any insurance from the AA.

Anyway, there were many items obviously with no receipts (who even gets given a receipt with a jewellerry gift, and if you did is it reasonable to expect to have it 16 years later?) and although intially refusing to validate these, they backed down saying i could provide photographic eveidence of ownership. This was difficult due to my laptop also being part of the theft but eventually managed to find photos of 2 more items they are now considering and I am hoping to find more. Obviously given they are still yet to validate many items 3 months after the burglary i am reticent to make any major complaints as so far when i have voiced concerns it has only served to make people at the loss adjuster even worse at getting back to me or actually doing anything to progress my claim.

At the minute i am looking at watches etc to sell on for best return. I figure this is probably most re-sellable thing unless anyone has better ideas?

spike2012

Could you go to the shop and offer to pay for people's purchases, and offer them 5% off the price for giving you the cash.

Or ask the shop for advice? Any cash payments at the till that day could be "refunded" and the card used to "repurchase" the items? Sounds hassle but if someone wants a high priced item and you offer 5% thats a fair amount to have off. Being that the un-trusting purson would be with you in the shop until the transaction completes etc?

Spike

robstersgirl

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIGNET-GIFT-VOUCHER-WATCH-ERNEST-JONES-H-SAMUEL-1500-/170610807702?pt=UK_Tickets_Trave_Vouchers_Coupons_LE&hash=item27b9325396

This one sold for £1350 face value £1500 so worth a try, looks like theres lots about, I'd flog it as a gift card.

scrattyrat

robstersgirl wrote: »

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIGNET-GIFT-VOUCHER-WATCH-ERNEST-JONES-H-SAMUEL-1500-/170610807702?pt=UK_Tickets_Trave_Vouchers_Coupons_LE&hash=item27b9325396

This one sold for £1350 face value £1500 so worth a try, looks like theres lots about, I'd flog it as a gift card.

Awesome thanks for that, this is the same card I have and seems lots are being sold on ebay. Im sure I couldnt see any when i looked, thankyou :-)

blue_monkey_2

scrattyrat wrote: »

awesome thanks for that, this is the same card i have and seems lots are being sold on ebay. Im sure i couldnt see any when i looked, thankyou :-)

ONLY accept a BANK TRANSFER if you sell it for this amount.

In caps because it is VERY IMPORTANT, you'll not be covered for more than £500 if someone pays you via paypal.

mishkanorman

you now have to accept/offer paypal on all ebay transactions, except for collection only i believe