14-year-old child privately sold 45 grams of gold jewelry from home, merchant underpriced and rigged the scale, only paid 28,000 yuan! Department mediation: refund and compensate 500 yuan

Recently, on the occasion of the “3.15” International Consumer Rights Day, the Suining City Market Supervision Administration and the Suining City Consumer Rights Protection Committee released typical cases of consumer rights protection in 2025, including a case involving a minor selling gold jewelry from home without permission.\n\nIllustration Image, courtesy of TuChong Creative\n\nIn June 2025, Ms. Li, a consumer from Chuanshan District, Suining City, reported that her 14-year-old child recently sold a gold jewelry piece weighing about 45 grams to a jewelry store in Chuanshan District without informing her.\n\nMs. Li found two major issues during the purchase process: first, inaccurate measurement— the jewelry was calculated as 40 grams instead of approximately 45 grams; second, the store lowered the price, buying at 700 yuan per gram instead of the market price of about 750 yuan per gram on that day, ultimately paying her child 28,000 yuan.\n\nAfter learning of the situation, Ms. Li went to the store to request the return of the jewelry but was told it had been damaged during processing. Ms. Li then demanded compensation, which was refused by the store. After unsuccessful negotiations, Ms. Li asked the Chuanshan District Market Supervision Department to investigate the store’s illegal gold recycling and to mediate compensation for her losses.\n\nUpon receiving the complaint, the Chuanshan District Market Supervision Bureau promptly investigated and verified the situation. The investigation confirmed that Ms. Li’s account was accurate. According to the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Minors and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests, a on-site mediation was organized.\n\nThrough mediation by the Chuanshan District Market Supervision Bureau, the store agreed to return the purchased gold jewelry and to pay the complainant an additional 500 yuan. Ms. Li expressed satisfaction, and the dispute was resolved.\n\nRed Star News Reporter Yang Ling\n\nEditor Yang Jin