Legal Question in Business Law in California

I had used the same Jeweler for approximately 5 years for both purchases and repairs. He would give me good deals on repairing my Jewelry and in return I would give him extended time to have my Jewelry repaired (or sized). One day I went by his Jewelry Store only to find he was no longer there, the Store was in shambles and an Official "Letter of Intent" was affixed to the Front Door stating the property was being reclaimed by the Leasor.

I went to his Brother's Jewelry Store to find out what had happened. The Brother said he had been in an accident and was in the Hospital but he had some of the Jewelry that his Brother had left with him to return to his customers. Only one of my rings was returned to me at that time. His Brother said I would have to wait until his brother got out of the Hospital to speak with him but he would let him know that I had been by and needed to pick up my Jewelry. This went on for months. Then someone told me that Alex, my Jeweler, was working for his Brother so I returned to his Brother's Jewelry Store to speak with Alex. I gave Alex a list of the Jewelry that had not been returned to me and he told me that he would speak with his Attorney to see if he could get my Jewelry back for me. Since that time, almost 1 year ago, everytime I go into the Jewelry Store to speak to Alex, his family (they all work there) says he isn't there. I've tried to contact him by phone, he won't pick up. I've been by his home, he won't answer the Door. I was told he used my Jewelry to obtain an Attorney for the case he has against the City for the Accident he was involved in. What am I suppose to do in order to get my Jewelry back?

He had approx. $5,000.00 in my Jewelry in his safe the last time I was in his Store and he was still actively doing Business. I know there has got to be something I can do about this, I just don't know what it is. Could you please guide me in the right direction.


Asked on 2/01/11, 4:42 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Step 1, call the police. Step 2, file a small claims action against him for the $5000 value of the jewelry. If he used it to hire an attorney, it basically means he sold it, so the jewelry itself is long gone.

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Answered on 2/01/11, 1:23 pm


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