Local business forced to pay

Times Reporter  

 

A Strathmore business was taken to civil court on April 11 to fight a dispute over a jewelry repair. The plaintiff Edith Mockford gave the defendant Minh Ho, owner of Masterpieces Fine Jewelry, a ring in May of 2013. The item was a custom-made eternal open weave Celtic knot, also known as a trinity knot. The ring was to be Mockford’s wedding band. Traditionally the band is worn as an engagement ring and then, as the wedding nears, two diamond rails are mounted to represent the wedding ring during the exchange ceremony. 

Mockford had approached Ho to have him mount the two rails to the original band in preparation for her upcoming wedding in July of 2013. 

When Mockford went to pick up her ring on June 17, 2013 she was shocked at the work that had been done. 

“He had melted through several of the trinity knots into a non shape. You could see a visible hole where he melted through the knots. He did not correctly mount one of the diamond rails leaving an acutely visible gap between the ring and rail. The dark-coloured metal material he used between the ring and rails was not even white or yellow gold to match the ring or rails,” said Mockford.

“He did offer to try to fix the wedding band, and I advised him it was custom-made and without the mold he wouldn’t be able to fix it.”

She needed the repairs to happen quickly so that she would be able to have her ring in time for her wedding that was only a few short weeks away. Mockford sent the ring off to a master jeweler who melted down the existing gold and remade the ring. 

Mockford then went to Ho requesting that he pay the costs of the repairs, which was $787.50. 

Ho refused to pay the full amount, offering instead to pay $300 for his admitted mistake. 

The ensuing arguments between the two lead to the case being presented before Judge McIlhargey on April 11. McIlhargey stated that Mockford should have given Ho a chance to fix it, but given the special circumstances it was understandable why she didn’t. 

“If Mr. Ho is prepared to settle, then he should be given credit for it,” said McIlhargey. 

“I want to settle this as soon as possible,” said Ho to the judge.

Even though the judge did feel Ho would lose if the case went to trial, he did state that “a bad settlement is way better than a good loss,” because once it is settled you could move on. 

Both parties agreed that they were comfortable with McIlhargey passing judgment and listing an amount he thought fair. McIlhargey made a motion against Ho, ordering him to pay Mockford $600. He also ordered that Ho pay Mockford before court would be closed on the matter.

While it was not the full amount Mockford was requesting, she was happy to see Ho held responsible. 

“I believe the judge sent a clear message that such shoddy workmanship is not tolerated as Minh Ho was held accountable and responsible for his actions. The Civil Court judge brought that message forward by directing, and granting me financial restitution,” said Mockford. 

“It was a victory for the small guy, or little person, when it comes to consumer protection and consumer rights.  I am glad the judge was able to determine their culpability in this situation.”