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Here goes, in October 2016 I took 2 valuable rings into a London Auction house they were put up for auction once, I phoned and phoned them as I wanted them back no one ever got back to me. After not hearing anything (they were never put up for auction again) by the beginning of December one day I just kept ringing until I got hold of a Manager he was extremely unhelpful and stated he did not have time to do anything that day and would come back to me beginning of next week. I ended up phoning again and again was then told the rings had been misplaced, could he get back to me in a few days, again nothing. The following weekend went into the Auction house and sitting in their jewellery display was my ring box (very distinct) with a ring that was not either of mine. There was no one of authority in so was told the Operations Manager would ring me tomorrow, which he did, stating the rings had been stolen by an unknown employee. At first they refused to get the police involved and just asked me if i could get an up to date valuation for the rings, that was fairly easy as they were hand made for me and the shop still had records of the sale. In the new year took the valuation into them thinking they would put it through their insurance company, I then heard nothing. Got so annoyed I phoned the police which prompted them to also do same. The police went in and did nothing apart from giving me a crime reference number. I took advice and made a complain and the PC's boss agreed more should have been done. They went in again and took away all there CCTV. It then came to light that it had not worked since the New owner had taken over the business in May. 2016 even though it was public knowledge that he had spend a six figure sum on the place, the police where also told that the key to the safe was kept in a open drawer and all 17 employees had access to it. The police said there was nothing else they could do. In the crime report they have stated that the Auction house are negligent!!
Present day I now have copy of the crime report stating the rings where STOLEN and a letter from the Auction house accepting they LOST my rings (yes they have changed it). I also have a independent statement from another of the Auction houses unhappy customers, photographs of the rings, plus receipt form from auction house. I have sent them a letter before action but because of the value of the rings (£12,959.00) everyone is saying I need a solicitor. Where do I go from here i feel like I'm in a really bad situation. All advice would be gratefully appreciated.
Present day I now have copy of the crime report stating the rings where STOLEN and a letter from the Auction house accepting they LOST my rings (yes they have changed it). I also have a independent statement from another of the Auction houses unhappy customers, photographs of the rings, plus receipt form from auction house. I have sent them a letter before action but because of the value of the rings (£12,959.00) everyone is saying I need a solicitor. Where do I go from here i feel like I'm in a really bad situation. All advice would be gratefully appreciated.
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