Help Me Hank: Jewelry Store Mystery

How long until the movie starts? When's my next appointment? Are we late for dinner? You can't answer without a watch, so you'll understand why Carol was so annoyed when hers broke.

Carol
"The little spindle was stuck and I was no longer able to change the time."

Since a watch is so important, you'll also understand why Carol was impatient when the repair place told her it would take a while to fix hers.

Carol
"They said it would be ready in six to eight weeks."

Now Carol's watch wasn't some drug store cheapo, it’s a vintage Rolex, a 1983 wedding anniversary gift from her husband.

Carol
"It has been a gift from him that I’ve worn every day for all those years."

So Carol and her family went on their annual ski vacation without the watch and when they came home to Sherburne, she called to check on the repair.

Carol
"They called back a few days later and said it should be in a week from next Friday."

But a week from Friday, the repair shop asked for Carol's claim check number. …Bad sign.

Carol
"It definitely seemed to me that there was some confusion, they were having difficulty locating the watch."

Two more weeks, no watch! Carol drove to the repair shop, but it wasn't there. I don't mean the watch wasn't there, the whole store wasn't there.

Carol
"It was dark and the doors were locked, and there were signs saying we've closed our doors."

No watch, no store, no forwarding address…

Carol
"All I got was answering machines."

Hank
"Did you ever talk to a person?"

Carol
"I did not."

She even checked city hall for business records. There was nothing.

Carol
"They have my watch and I want it back, and at that point I e-mailed you."

We checked the store too -- gone! So we called other watch repair shops, scouting for inside info on what happened. We finally found the stores lawyer, who explained the store went out of business and some leftover items, including apparently Carols watch, were liquidated!

Hank on Phone
"So you'll need to replace this watch."

We explained Carol needed a vintage Rolex in perfect shape.

Hank on Phone
"Exactly like the one the store lost."

And now take a look at Carol’s wrist, just like she does once again time after time.

Carol
"It looks right, it looks like my arm."

Just proves again -- hang on to your claim check when you hand over a valuable possession. So what consumer battle are your fighting? Maybe I can help!