“Jewelry buyers' scales not checked by government”

Jewelry buyers' scales not checked by government

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 12:37 AM PST

By PHIL MULKINS World Staff Writer
Published: 11/28/2010 2:18 AM
Last Modified: 11/28/2010 2:18 AM

Gold jewelry buyers: John Davis, owner of Tulsa Gold & Silver, said he has been buying precious metals in Tulsa since 1974 and has never been visited by a city, state or federal inspector who wanted to check the accuracy of his scales. "We bought tons of it back in 1980 when gold went really high, and now too, and we wish there was someone checking the scales, but they're not. We always take great care to keep ours accurate.

"These are 'gram scales,' " Davis said, "and we have seven or eight name-brand units and double-check them daily for accuracy, selling gold with the same scales we buy it with. We calibrate them every morning with calibration weights and zero out the 'tare weight' (the weight of the scale tray)," Davis said. Gram scales are available online or in electronics departments, kitchen appliance sections and sporting goods stores for less than $50, with sensitivities of 0.001 gram to 600 grams.

Tulsa Weights & Measures Department: In 1997, the city of Tulsa created the "Inspector of Weights & Measures," as part of the Department of Weights and Measures, under Title 41. The inspector's duties were to test the accuracy of weighing equipment used in commerce within the city: "equipment used in determining weight, measure or count of commodities, things sold, offered or exposed for sale, on the basis of weight, measure

or count; in computing the basic charge or payment for services."

The inspector's job included food items in grocery stores, but his jurisdiction also included "scrap material or any other substance, either solid or liquid." He had police powers to enter any premises where commodities were being sold by weight, to order inaccurate scales removed from use and to issue fines. That position apparently fell from the city's personnel roster, but the Mayor's Communications Department could not tell us when or why.

Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit: Department spokesman Dennis Mullins said DCC enforces the Oklahoma Precious Metal and Gem Dealer Licensing Act of 1981 (Title 59, Sections 1521 through 1532, of Oklahoma statutes). It requires a license of such enterprises ($725 the first year for investigation and licensing and $300 annually for license renewal). The act doesn't mandate testing scale accuracy.

DCC's "Precious Metal Dealers licensee roster" (current to Sept. 28) lists 79 licensed precious metal dealers in Oklahoma - 13 of which are in Tulsa. See the list of Oklahoma "Precious Metal Dealers" licensed by DCC at tulsaworld.com/preciousmetaldealers

Mullins said although DCC doesn't check scales for accuracy, it does check precious metals buyers for licensing and monitors television and print ads for gold buyers. Residents may report buyers suspected of being unlicensed (in writing) to, Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit, 4545 N. Lincoln Blvd. Suite 164, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3403; or call (405) 521-3653 or its in-state Consumer Hotline, (800) 448-4904.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission: The commission's fuel inspection division checks the accuracy of sale fuel pumps but doesn't check on gold buyer scales.

Tulsa Precious Metal & Gem Dealers license: Also in 1997, the City Council passed, under our Penal Code (Title 27), a Chapter 27, the "Precious Metal & Gem Dealers license." But its intent is to discourage the sale of stolen jewelry to dealers licensed under the act by requiring them to keep extensive records, report descriptions of purchases to the police and to hold merchandise for 10 days before selling it, long enough for police burglary detectives to examine it and compare it to jewelry reported stolen. But the ordinance does not require scale testing.

Tulsa Police Pawn Detail: Tulsa Police spokesman Jason Willingham said precious metals buyers must "do the same thing pawnshop owners must do, under the Oklahoma Pawnshop Act (Title 59, Sections 1501-1515): fill out, in essence, a pawn ticket and send it to us. They must report all transactions they're involved with. We have a detective who works what we call the Pawn Detail, but these precious metal and gem dealers are a part of that."

Sgt. Brandon Watkins, head of TPD's Secondary Market Unit, bwatkins@cityoftulsa.org, said buyers of precious metals in Oklahoma must be licensed with the Department of Consumer Credit and also hold a Tulsa Precious Metal & Gem Dealers license, but neither law "has many teeth."

Original Print Headline: Scale accuracy unchecked

Phil Mulkins 699-8888
Phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com

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