Jewelry store owner says he's giving refund for $25k bracelet elderly man bought by mistake
Previous article: Elderly Chelsea man mistakenly purchases $25K diamond bracelet
An elderly Chelsea man apparently is getting his money back after he mistakenly purchased a $25,000 diamond bracelet.
Curtis Gough, owner of Ja Jolla Fine Jewelry in Chelsea, said he's giving a refund for the bracelet. “We’ve always tried to do that. It wasn’t a traditional refund,” he said, noting it was a very expensive piece of jewelry.
Detroit television station WDIV and ABC News both reported on the story of Maury Branch, who said he thought he was purchasing a rhinestone bracelet worth about $20. When Branch’s daughter discovered the purchase, she asked for a refund but the store initially refused, ABC reported, instead offering to sell the bracelet on consignment.
Gough, contacted by phone Tuesday morning, declined to provide any other details about the refund.
Comments
David Hardcastle
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
Everyone needs to realize that this isn't as simple as it seems. From a business stand point this was a 25,000 dollar transaction. It took the family 6 weeks to notify la Jolla of the desire to return it. Do you think that money was just sitting in the bank somewhere? NO it was spent paying employees, and other bills. I have no idea of the stores finances but I bet they didn't even have 25k in cash to give at the time. Think before you speak, this is a local business who employs local citizens. They could be your neighbor or go to your church. Don't be so quick to rush to wish ill on someone.
Gardener1
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
Almost anyone who has dealt with 90 year old parents understands this issue. It is not necessarily about inheritance. I could be about having enough money for health care or about some of our senior people not fully understanding the choices that are made. I am thankful the store made it right. In my opinion, the refund should have been made as soon as the store was sure the original funds were safe to be returned and the store was not being scammed.
Joe Yekulis
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
The last poster, gmo99 was right. In a small town, everyone knows everyone else; including their reputations. For those of you casting aspersions on LaJolla who do not live in Chelsea, you should know that Curtis and his mother, Gloria, are fine upstanding people in the community, and do a great deal to support local non-profits. It saddens me that so many of you anonymous bloggers are quick to judge people you don't know, but it's easy to do when you can remain anonymous. Just remember that there are two sides to every story, and that the credit card company that did the original investigation, upheld the side of the business owners. These are good people who got caught up in an unfortunate situation on both sides.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Funny they just had an article on the news about how many women buy an item of clothing and wear to their occasion to show off and then return it the next day.I am sure not the case here though. I wonder what kind of attitude the girl used when trying to return it?
gmo99
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 11:36 a.m.
Poor jeweler. National media attention and all negative. Small town, everyone pretty much knows everyone and their circumstances. How insulting it would have been to Mr Branch if the jeweler would have questioned his judgement in the purchase. This looks like a daughter worried she is going to miss out on some inheritance (shame). I hope my spouse would buy me an expensive bracelet after a long marriage like the Branch's - and my children better had not question our judgement.
Carole
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:37 a.m.
Glad this had a happy ending. Sorry it had to make the statewide news to do so.
arborani
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
I'll feel better when I'm assured the money went back to the gentleman who spent it, and not some other party.
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
arborani, too right!! hopefully he'll have a chance to spend it on something for HIMSELF. I'm reminded of a letter to Dear Abby from an elderly couple who, having scrimped and saved their Entire Lives, decided to have central air installed in their home. Kids(greedy!)got wind of this improvement, threw a collective hissy fit, told mom/dad that they were spending "their" inheritance on something they didn't need, etc., etc., ad nauseam. mom asked Abby if they were being selfish. Abby replied that not only were they not being selfish, but that they should perhaps rewrite their will. I know I would. Leave the selfish brats a dollar each and give the rest to a worthy cause. Lord knows there's plenty to choose from....
arborani
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Thou hast said it.
gmo99
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 11:29 a.m.
As "other party" do you mean the daughter? After all the facts are printed, this reeks of a person just wanting more Inheritance.
jcj
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
No surprise here. This was a loser for the store when the story broke.
Major
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
This reeks of an inheritance issue, the facts/details, as scantily reported as they are, just don't add up. I wouldn't be so quick to judge the jeweler without the details.
Kitty O'Brien
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
This was a 60th anniversary gift !!! Has anyone bothered to ask Mrs. Branch how she feels? Her bracelet taken away by her greedy daughter and her attorney girlfriend.
Dennis
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
I didn't say I would not sell it to him, or that I 90 year olds can't shop on their own. My point was more that I would have made sure the man knew he was spending 25K before I put through his credit card. In a small town like chelsea your reputation as a business person is everything. An incident like this can tarnish that reputation. Whether the store owner was in the wrong or not, this will effect his business for the near future. I am sure in the future the store owner will train their sales people to ensure something like this doesn't happen again.
Jimmy McNulty
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
@Dennis, who are you to decide what a 90 year-old may purchase? As far as the blanket statement of not having "that kind of scratch lying around," how do you know this?
avida2reader
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.
If you read this article http://www.clickondetroit.com/money/consumer/Family-calls-25-000-bracelet-purchase-mistake/-/1719076/14687952/-/11pb9kt/-/index.html this man had been a regular customer of this store and clearly had the "scratch" - I agree this is about family issues over $ and being upset he spend that $ on an expensive gift. Really sad that the store has people questioning their reputation.
Major
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
I still don't know the details, but with what I've put together, I can understand how tough it might be for a small business to cough up 25 grand...weeks after commissions have been paid, as well as other overhead costs. What's so strange about a 90 year old man having money? Are you saying 90 year old people are not competent enough to shop by themselves?
Dennis
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
Whether its an inheritance issue or not, I have serious misgivings about any jeweller who sells a 25K bracelet to a 90 year old man in Chelsea. It's not Madison Ave. most 90 year old in that town do not have that kind of scratch lying around. I'm not trying to say he did anything illegal, just that if I were in his position I would have made sure the guy knew what he was buying.
djm12652
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 6:59 p.m.
After how long after the transaction did the daughter try to return the bracelet? And confused? I am curious as to how the gentleman paid for it. By credit card? That is a high dollar transaction and would have been flagged for verification, if by check, even a 90 year old that has the wherewithal to go shopping would know the difference in writing twenty dollars vs twenty-five thousand...what about the daughter? Did she really expect the store to issue her a refund? with the bracelet? after 30 days, an in store credit is all that should be given. And one other thing...how does a store that carries a $25K bracelet...that's at least a 4 ctw also sell $20 junk...that would be like Neimann Marcus having a Big Lots inside their store. This whole consumer purchase story just doesn't fly with me...IMO somebody is no longer allowed control of their own life....
clownfish
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
hope you never get old, djm.
Kitty O'Brien
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 4:55 a.m.
The daughter contacted La Jolla 6 weeks after the original purchase was made asking for a refund. La Jolla STILL has yet to talk to Mr. Branch. Last they heard from him he was happy with his purchase.
Katie
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
I was asking myself the same questions. Walking into La Jolla, you know it's a high end jewelry store. I'm hoping, as any business dealing with high priced merchandise, payment was thoroughly discussed as well as the total charge. Reading other comments off of the original news report of this story, http://www.clickondetroit.com/money/consumer/Family-calls-25-000-bracelet-purchase-mistake/-/1719076/14687952/-/11pb9kt/-/index.html, the daughter may just be upset she was loosing out on $20K.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
"Gough, contacted by phone Tuesday morning, declined to provide any other details about the refund plan." Then pressure should continue until the refund 'plan' actually happens.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
Funny how much power real investigative reporting has.
treetowncartel
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
Its not too late to come to the dark side.
kissthecobra
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
In this case, the daughter and the media did the right thing in drawing attention to the unconscionable behavior of a local merchant, and the resulting bad publicity served to pressure La Jolla Jewelry to "do the right thing" and issue a refund. Keep in mind that the $25K purchase was made back in January, so for six months the family of the 90-year old man was stonewalled by Curtis Gough. The media comes around to shine the spotlight on this unethical behavior and suddenly the tune changes. What Curtis might not realize is how much damage this event has already caused to his reputation as a merchant. I, for one, will never buy anything from Curtis and La Jolla, and I've spoken to other area residents that now feel the same way.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
The article makes it sound like the daughter is the one who tried to return it. If the father bought the item he should have been the one to return it not the daughter,unless it was a gift to her .So Curtis isn't entirely to blame.
djm12652
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.
So not knowing all the facts from reading the article...this was purchased back in January? He should have issued an in-store credit if the return was made after 30 days...that being said, Cobra, you seem to know more than the reporter, so perhaps you would know who it was purchased for....not the daughter?
Sparty
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
It's too bad the Jeweler didn't do this earlier before all the media attention forced him to do the right thing. I'm sure it's created a negative impression of his business, despite finally arriving at the right conclusion - it's just clear that it wouldn't have happened without the media's involvement. What a shame.
djm12652
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
@iamwrite....can you say cutting into my trust fund?
iamwrite
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
Yeah, because the media has never exaggerated a story to sell ad space. Yes, it is sad a 90 year old was confused, but the way that the reports slam La Jolla Jewelry is not responsible. This store has been a part of the Chelsea community for years, and has a great reputation. The daughter running to the media to "tattle" is skewed.
Dog Guy
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
I am happy that this misunderstanding was overcome to the satisfaction and benefit of all.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
A wiser choice than his original stance in my opinion.