RESIDENTS in Northwood and Rickmansworth are being urged to be cautious when cashing in their jewellery with companies asking for gold to be sent by post.
An officer from Hertfordshire Trading Standards, posing as a customer, sent a gold bracelet to a firm which advertises on national television, offering a guarantee of 100 per cent satisfaction or return of the gold.
The same bracelet was used in an earlier investigation of shops in Hertfordshire offering to buy jewellery, with quoted prices ranging from £40-60. The first offer from the postal company was £5.31, which increased after an initial refusal to £30.62.
The offer was made by sending a cheque through the post, which had to be returned within seven days of its issue or the jewellery would be smelted. However, a return address was not provided. Despite several emails and phone calls to the company, the officer was unable to obtain the address in time to send the cheque back within the deadline.
It was also discovered that the company dealt only in gold, so any stones would need to be removed; and non-gold items would be returned only for a fee.
Keith Emsall, executive member for community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "The experience of our officer is similar to those of several customers who complained about postal gold companies via Consumer Direct.
"It is always advisable to shop around for the best price."
* Anyone who has experienced difficulty when selling their jewellery should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.
Have you had any trouble when selling your jewellery? Contact Northwood and Rickmansworth reporter, Siba Matti, on 07788 567 259 or email sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk.
