Gift given in error

[Deleted User]

give it back

I was given an item belonging to my mother and my brother asked me for it 3 years later. It was sentimental to me and to him but I lost nothing in easing my brother`s loss

newbie2010

cookie54 wrote: »

have you had it valued to see what its worth ?

I haven't had a valuation done but checking a gold buying website last night it would be worth around £200 for scrap.

newbie2010

January20 wrote: »

It sounds really fishy after 5 years. Are you sure the gold bracelet has no value at all? I have the feeling it may have more monetary value than you think and that is why the cousin/ friend want it back. Whatever the reason, I think it's very cheeky for any of them to ask for it back after all this time, and yes I would say that you are well within your right to refuse. (Also, if you agree to give the bracelet back, will they then want the silver one back too, and then the money?)

I personally, until yesterday, had not even considered the value of the bracelet due to the sentimental value to me. The money was left to me in the will so they cannot claim that back and I was assured I could keep the silver one. <<-- slight sarcasm there!

londonsurrey

newbie2010 wrote: »

My cousin has contacted me recently to ask me to give her the gold bracelet back as a friend of my aunts is saying it was not my cousins to give away and it actually belonged to her. My cousin is claiming she made a mistake at a very low time in her life as my aunt died young and suddenly.

Funnily enough, it's the fact that there are TWO reasons that make me not believe her.

If the cousin regrets giving it to you, then the "low ebb in her life" reason is fair enough.
If it belongs to your aunt's friend, then maybe it could be explored, although I would strongly question why it's taken five years for a friend to ask for a bracelet back?

But the cousin can't have it both ways - either she regrets it and wants it back, or it belongs to someone else and they want it back.

The two reasons heaped onto each other don't make sense together, and smacks of someone making up as much stuff as they can to pressure you into giving it back. Neither reason is true, for it was, the cousin would have just stated that one reason.

newbie2010

kittie wrote: »

give it back

I was given an item belonging to my mother and my brother asked me for it 3 years later. It was sentimental to me and to him but I lost nothing in easing my brother`s loss

I think my situation is different. I never expected anything when my aunt died. Some time after, when my cousins had gone through all the bills, belongings, etc I was given the bracelets as something to remember my aunt by. I know for a fact both my cousins have/had many possessions of my aunts and had they lost them all in a fire or something I would give it back without hesitation. I just feel this 'friend' has no right to be on at my cousin for it which in turn she is on at me for its return.

newbie2010

Thanks for all the support. I feel kind of bad insisting I keep it but it does actually mean something to me as I was very close to my aunt from birth. I thought maybe I was being selfish but deep down I know I am within my rights to keep it as a gift cannot be taken back if given in goodwill. Part if me is thinking of getting it valued and telling my cousin that's what it will cost to get it back. If she wants to be jerk then I can too.

meritaten

I dont think they have any 'right' to ask for it back! it wasnt given in 'error' - it was given as a keepsake! FIVE years ago! mark my words, someone has recently remembered mums gold bracelet and was wondering what it would be worth now - only to find that someone had given it away!!!!!!!!!

they want it back for monetary considerations I bet! well, tell them no! it was given and accepted in good faith!

newbie2010

Twanger wrote: »

You never ever sell gold jewellry to scrap gold sites, always take it to a respected jeweller if you want a fair price (just reminding people).

I agree. This just gave me a guideline.

daviecol

I think even if this story is true they both have a cheek quite frankly. You don't give somebody something then ask for it back.

Whether it's in 5 minutes or 5 years isn't even relevant, you were given it, it belongs to you.

I would politely remind your cousin that you only have 2 things to connect you to your lost aunt, presumably your cousins between them got everything else?

I think you know some things not right here and have posted to find if you suspicions are correct, I'd say they are.

doodoot

OP, why don't you tell your cousin to pass your phone number to the 'friend' of your aunt so that he/she can discuss it directly with you?

Sounds to me that your cousin has remembered you have a few quid's worth of gold on your hands.

Five years to request a bracelet back sounds well dodge.