Gift given in error

chrissie57

frugaliciousnow wrote: »

If this woman could prove the bracelets were hers (ie she'd just lent them to your aunt) then there is no option but to give it back.

If she can't prove ownership - then I would take it as meaning that the bracelets were indeed your aunts and are now rightfully yours.

By "proving ownership" - I mean that she might have photos of her wearing them or a receipt/guarantee for them. I always keep receipts/guaranties for "real" jewellery and thus have proof that its mine and how much its worth and it may be the case that some other people do as well.

But - without that proof of ownership - then I would tend to regard this as a cynical bid for the money "tied up" in the gold bracelet.

So I would say your next move is to ask if this woman has any "proof of ownership" or work out if I had a perceptive enough friend that I could visit this woman with the friend and have the friend work out whether she was telling the truth when she told me to our faces that she owns them.

Sometimes people do ask for things back well after the event if it is still their property and they just loaned it. I know I lent a book of mine to a neighbour years ago now and it quite definitely WAS a loan (and not a gift) and I asked them for it back recently and am still waiting for the return of it and, failing that, the replacement copy they offered me if they couldn't find it.

This is a well-thought out post but I would still feel 5 years is too long - even a receipt only proves she purchased it not what she did with it afterwards and unless it is a really distinctive bracelet even a picture is just a picture of someone wearing a bracelet which looks like the one in question.

Even up to a year after a death might a reasonable length of time to allow relations to get over their loss (although anything could have been done with the bracelet by then!) but five years:eek::eek::eek:.

Afraid your cousin is trying it on - tell her to at least get her stories straight, as someone else has commented.

I do hope this has not in any way spoilt your happy memories of your aunt - on appearances, you thought more of her than your cousin did:(

yesican

Its YOURS!!!...
Dont let anyone else tell you otherwise!
Whoever is asking for it back should be ashamed of themselves!!!

marywooyeah

newbie2010 wrote: »

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

which means its worth more than that as the website will obviously want to make a profit - this only reinforces my view that someone thinks the bracelet is valuable and wants it back to sell it.

VikkiiKawaii

I wouldn't give the bracelet back. It's pretty clear (as many other posters have said) that all they want is the money tied up in the bracelet, not the bracelet itself. You've had it five years - it's yours. Even if I'd LOANED someone something after five years I would just accept it's gone and yours wasn't a loan it was a gift. There is no way in hell they could make you give it back now.

jenhug

Twanger wrote: »

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

Unless you use a respected site like hatton garden metals, who often give a better price than a high street jeweller.

catch_me_if_you_can

Pity that having searched everywhere in your house you can't find it anywhere, OP! You were so sure it was in *jewellery box/dressing table drawer* safely but it's just not there... and you're devastated!

newbie2010

catch_me_if_you_can wrote: »

Pity that having searched everywhere in your house you can't find it anywhere, OP! You were so sure it was in *jewellery box/dressing table drawer* safely but it's just not there... and you're devastated!

Great minds think alike. I thought of this. :T

newbie2010

frugaliciousnow wrote: »

Sometimes people do ask for things back well after the event if it is still their property and they just loaned it. I know I lent a book of mine to a neighbour years ago now and it quite definitely WAS a loan (and not a gift) and I asked them for it back recently and am still waiting for the return of it and, failing that, the replacement copy they offered me if they couldn't find it.

Funnily enough, my cousin (the same one) borrowed and I emphasis the word borrowed, a book from me around 3 years ago. Sadly she had lost it when I asked if she could return it. She assured me she would get a replacement... Which I am still waiting for. I reminded her of this when she contacted me about the bracelet and for some reason that was side stepped and only the bracelet was mentioned. Morals obviously mean nothing to some people.

Thanks everyone so much for your input. Initially it hurt me to be asked to return it. But family and friends I have mentioned it to, plus you guys, have all basically told me to tell her to get lost. And that's being polite.
Hope you all had a great Christmas and 2012 is a healthy and prosperous one for you all.

meritaten

It isnt often posters are in complete agreement newbie - but I havent seen one post suggesting you meekly hand it over! so you keep it and enjoy it hun! I am sure it isnt the money that counts with you - its the sentimental value!

newbie2010

meritaten wrote: »

It isnt often posters are in complete agreement newbie - but I havent seen one post suggesting you meekly hand it over! so you keep it and enjoy it hun! I am sure it isnt the money that counts with you - its the sentimental value!

It is the sentimental value. Even with times as tough as they are right now, I have never considered selling any jewellery that has been handed down to me or the Hatton Garden jewellery I was blessed to get on my 18th (oh so long ago).