People with jobs in trading standards in Hull have urged residents to shop around when selling their gold pieces.
Hull City Council has advised locals to ask several gold buyers what they are willing to offer for their jewellery after an investigation found there was a variation of £140 for the same nine-carat item.
A trading standards officer was offered £422 from one buyer and £280 from another, suggesting that the scales used were not necessarily approved.
Acting city trading standards officer Chris Wilson said the investigation supports the advice the local authority gives to residents to "shop around before committing to a sale or purchase".
He added that the premises which were found to be using unapproved scales have been "given guidance to ensure they give customers a reasonable price for gold items".
Mr Wilson assured consumers they will continue to be revisited in the future to maintain these regulations.
The council's trading standards team also regularly inspects premises selling precious jewellery to ensure they are in accordance with the Hallmarking Act 1973 and that weighing instruments are of the appropriate sensitivity.
Posted by Francesca Critchlow
