Jewellers have given my ring away?

[mrs_overall]

I took a Victorian 22ct diamond ring to the jewellers for repair after I trapped my hand & the ring was bent. They gave me a detailed receipt & said to collect it in a weeks time. That was 2 weeks ago. I went in this morning and they said I collected the ring last week! I obviously still have the receipt. What is my next course of action?
Thanks in advance.

[LoftyLottie2]

Did you pay for the repair in advance?

[mrs_overall]

No.
I queried about the payment for the repair, and apparently "I" paid cash.

[rinkins]

Mrs O that's terrible, surely they are liable to replace it or find it? They must be

[Nosha123]

sounds very suspicious to me.... a dishonest employee could quite easily have scammed it!!!

[eash]

That is really bad. Surely they should have asked for ID to verify that the person who took it was actually the owner.

[mrs_overall]

I don't see how they could give the ring to someone without them being able to produce the receipt (which had a full description of the ring on it).
They are adamant it was collected and paid for.

To say I'm, p****d off is an understatement! It was my great grandma's engagement ring.

[eash]

I'd contact the police. Although not sure if they would be able to help or not in this situation....

[rinkins]

What's the point of giving you a receipt with the description when they are just going to give it away to someone who clearly didn't have it????? Grrrrrr........Mrs O i really feel for you. They'd have certainly had one hell of an earful from me to unleash all my frustration. Are they investigating or anything?

[mrs_overall]

Mistake...my great great grandma's

[LoftyLottie2]

Did they not issue a receipt for the cash or have details of a till transaction.

Personally, I would ask the Manager to investigate and threaten them with the police. It sounds suspiciously like an 'inside job'.

[mrs_overall]

I've had a word with one of my brothers, who is a policeman and he says there is nothing they could do.

[LoftyLottie2]

You have the receipt which confirms that you gave the ring to the shop. You have not received the ring back from the shop. It is worth contacting the police for their advice.

[Nosha123]

Would all jewellers not have cctv in their stores.... its only a week ago - surely the tape would still exist - would at least prove it wasnt you picking it up and no receipt was given! You must be so gutted!!!!! Just awful!!

[LoftyLottie2]

Our posts crossed.

I would definitely confront the manager again. You can't just leave it. Someone in the shop has given your ring to someone who hasn't produced the receipt. The shop is at fault. At the very least you need compensation for the ring.

[mrs_overall]

Yes, they have a till receipt dated & timed last Saturday. I got my hopes up because at the time the receipt was issued I was 25 miles away at a sports fixture with a dozen people who can verify this. When I pointed this out they said I must have sent someone in to collect the ring. They swore blind they would not have released the ring without seeing the detailed receipt they gave me.
The receipt has never been out of my purse since I got it.

[Schutzengel]

The jewellers would definitely be liable if they let someone pay to receive your ring without the receipt, which you still have. I would go back and raise the roof, until the ring is found (if it is still on the premises). Failing that send them a solicitor's letter, stating that you still have the receipt, the value of the ring, and that you require either the ring to be produced, or the monetary value of the ring plus an additional sum in compensation for your distress and their incompetence. I know that wouldn't bring back your ring, but at least it would provide you with the money to purchase a replacement. Don't let them get away with it, because they are definitely at fault. Hope you manage to resolve this mess. Schutz.

[Barmaid]

I don't think the police can do anything since there is actually no evidence of a crime - merely a mistake.

I would write them an extremely strongly worded letter (is it a chain or an independent?) threatening proceedings for breach of contract and seeking damages and/or damages in negligence. Have you any idea what the ring was worth?

[Rollo]

If they have given it to somebody else then it is their negligencet act.

I would tell them that they have a week to get it back for me and if they do not or cannot do that then I want the full value of the ring plus extra compensation for the sentimental loss and the distress caused.

If they did not comply with that to my satisfaction I would be taking legal action against them for the necessary compensation.

[LoftyLottie2]

Surely they would not have given the receipt back to whoever produced it. If you still have the receipt then they are in the wrong. I personally would still try the police.

[Nosha123]

I agree with Loftie... you expected a service and entrusted to them a valuable item which they have 'lost'. Compensation is the least that can be provided....

I cant help but think its an inside job too!

If someone genuinely went to collect their ring and was given yours in error - I would have thought they would say something!!!

Only other explanation is someone knew your ring was there being repaired and went in pretending to be you!

So sad for you!