Clock taken for repair

[AMYSULLIVAN]

My father passed away in November 2010. We lived in the same house which I still occupy.
I have been contacted by a clock repairer and he said my father left an antique clock for repair at his shop and the bill comes to £80.
I have been to see the clock and do not recognise it but it could have been kept in a drawer for example although I am obviously very surprised as I my father never appeared to be interested in antique clocks and tended to buy just cheap clocks and watches.
My friend came with me and has said the clock is worth between £800 and £1,000. He is in the antique clock trade.
I have also taken 2 of my father's sisters to see the clock but they have never seen it before.
It is obviously worth paying the £80 as it is a nice clock.
I have looked at the paperwork and my fathers details are correct.
My main concern if it turns out not to be my fathers clock would I be guilty of theft. My other concern is it is a small shop. The clock repairer did mention he was born at the end of the war making him about 66 so I do not think he will be in business for much longer.
My friend has enquired about this clock repairer an has found out he has been at the shop for at least 30 years and has a good reputation.

Amy

[woofgang]

You have no actual reason to suspect the clock isn't your father's and quite a bit of proof that it is....or at least that it was him who took it for repair. I suggest that you retrieve the clock and pay the bill BUT hold on to it for say 6 months in case anyone comes forward to claim it eg maybe he took it in to the shop for a friend.

[bednobs]

i really don't see a problem here at all. I cannot see any possible circumstances where you would be accused of theft. If the clock belonged to someone else, why give all your father's details (and how did they have them?) and why not pick it up themselves?
Is there a will? The clock will i suppose form part of your father's estate

[Bricap]

Adding to what Woofgang has said it is always possible that your father took the clock in for repair but did not tell the person he was taking it for who the repairer was.
I see some logic in the owner not contacting you immediately on the death of your father as he may have thought it would be a bit distasteful.
On the other hand it is nearly 4 months since your father passed away. I think a person would have been unwise to give a clock of that value without your fathers contact details but I supose this is a possibility if say your father had say been going to a pub for years (or similar) so I would do as Woofgang has said.
Maybe the owner does not realise the value of the clock.