Watch reseller - item sold but not paid for 28 days refund policy?

[RLBK1982]

Hi everyone

I'm new to this site so please be gentle!

My partner has appointed a jewellers who specialise in reselling second hand watches to sell his watch on his behalf. The good news is they have found a buyer who has paid for the watch but the jeweller is now saying they won't give any proceeds to my partner until 28 days after the buyer bought the watch in case he decides to return it. Is this allowed? My partner hasn't signed any terms agreeing to this and was not made aware of this process up front. He is now in the position where he has no watch and also no money for the watch. He is also worried that if the buyer chooses to return it, it will not be in the same condition and would subsequently affect further resale value.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated - it was an expensive item, the proceeds from which are to go towards our wedding...

Thanks everyone

[R0b]

Re: Watch reseller - item sold but not paid for 28 days refund policy?

If there were no terms discussed other than agreed that they would act as agent and sell on your partner's behalf then that should be the end of things and they should hand over the money. They cannot hold onto just in case it was returned if that ws not was agreed. If they do return it then they would need to pay the buyer and then recover the sums from your partnerm that's how it should go.

Perhaps a letter or email in writing or in person (but you wont have a record of it so maybe take a witness?) informing them that they have no right to hold onto it and the money should be given. If they insist then the other option is to pursue court action.

However, do you actually need the money right now or can you possibly wait? It wouldn't be worth the time and hassle initiating court proceedings because you have to give them 14 days generally to respond before issuing a claim and that's half the time up already!

[RLBK1982]

Re: Watch reseller - item sold but not paid for 28 days refund policy?

Thanks R0b for your quick reply. We get married next week so the money would be a huge help, although I see your point re the futility of going to court.

They sold the watch to the buyer on 7th of this month but haven't even contacted my partner to advise him of this until he called to check what was happening today. I've had a look (rookie Google search) and even under the sale of goods act it puts forward a 7-day cooling off period for second hand goods. I don't see why we should adhere to 28 days of the jeweller holding onto our money, especially if it's not even a legal requirement for them to do so? Surely they should have transferred the money to my partner at the point of sale and, if it's their company policy to offer a 28-day refund, cover this themselves?