If you've lived in Chattanooga for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard the name. Or at least the voice. For decades, the local airwaves were practically haunted by those low-budget radio and TV ads for Rick Davis Gold and Diamonds Chattanooga. "Talking gold" was his thing. He was the guy on Brainerd Road who’d buy your scrap, your heirlooms, or that ring from an ex you didn't want to look at anymore.
But honestly? The story of Rick Davis isn't just about jewelry or bullion prices. It’s a wild, sprawling saga that involves FBI raids, cold case murders, and enough legal drama to keep a law firm busy for a century.
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The Man Behind the Gold
Rick Davis wasn't just a shop owner; he was a local character. He’s been in the business since the late 70s, eventually setting up his stronghold at 5301 Brainerd Road. For a long time, he was the guy to see if you needed quick cash. He had this "cash is king" persona, usually seen with a massive roll of hundred-dollar bills held together by a signature gold nugget money clip.
Some people in town saw him as a self-made entrepreneur. Others? Well, the "lore" of Rick Davis in Chattanooga is a lot darker.
There have always been whispers. For years, rumors swirled about what actually happened behind the scenes. It wasn't just about lowballing customers—though plenty of people complained about that. It was about the source of the gold. Critics often alleged that his shop functioned as a "fence" operation, a place where stolen goods could be quickly melted down, making them untraceable.
The FBI Raid and the Beginning of the End
Things finally came to a head in April 2025. If you drove past Brainerd Road that Wednesday morning, you couldn't miss the sea of blue lights and caution tape. The FBI, along with local police, descended on the shop. They weren't just looking at paperwork; agents were seen hauling out suitcases and searching vehicles.
At the same time, authorities were at his home on Missionary Ridge. In a scene that felt like it was ripped from a movie, a 70-year-old Davis watched from an electric wheelchair in his driveway while agents sifted through boxes of his belongings.
It wasn't a sudden move. The writing had been on the wall for months.
- October 2024: Davis was indicted on seven counts of theft, with values ranging between $10,000 and $60,000.
- January 2025: He was arrested for passing worthless checks.
- The Accusations: Multiple customers claimed they gave him thousands of dollars for gold or silver that was never delivered. Basically, he took the money and ran.
Why People are Still Talking About the Goetcheus Brothers
You can't talk about Rick Davis Gold and Diamonds Chattanooga without mentioning the Goetcheus brothers. This is the part of the story that feels too grim to be true, but it's been a shadow over Davis's reputation since 1997.
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Two teenage brothers were murdered in a house in Brainerd. For decades, it was a cold case. But the "street" version of the story in Chattanooga was always that Davis had a hand in it. The theory? He supposedly hired someone to retrieve an incriminating video tape from the boys, and things went horribly, tragically wrong.
In recent years, the Hamilton County Cold Case Unit made arrests and explicitly tied Davis to the incident in their investigations. While he wasn't convicted of the murders themselves, the connection solidified his status as one of the most controversial figures in the city's history.
What's Left of the Business?
If you're looking to visit the shop today, don't expect the usual "talking gold" experience. Following the raids and the mounting legal judgments, a massive liquidation sale took place in May 2025.
The goal wasn't to keep the lights on. It was to pay back the victims.
- The inventory was seized to satisfy court judgments.
- Liquidation leaders used a two-sided ticket system just to manage the crowds of people looking to grab a piece of the "infamous" collection.
- Money from the sales was earmarked for the people Davis had allegedly scammed over the previous few years.
It’s a strange end for a business that was a staple of Chattanooga's commercial landscape for nearly 40 years.
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The Reality of Selling Gold in Chattanooga
For the average person, the saga of Rick Davis is a cautionary tale. If you have jewelry or precious metals to sell, you've got to be careful. The "fast cash" lure is strong, but the risks are real.
Honestly, the jewelry business is built on trust. When you hand over a family heirloom for appraisal, you're vulnerable. Many former customers of Rick Davis Gold and Diamonds reported that they left their items for "evaluation" only to find out later that the items had been sold or melted down without their permission.
If you're looking for a reputable place in the Chattanooga area now, experts usually suggest looking for certified appraisers. Places like Fischer Evans downtown or Arney Guess in Hixson are often cited by locals as more stable, transparent alternatives.
Actionable Advice for Jewelry Owners
If you're sitting on gold or diamonds and aren't sure what to do, here is the smart way to handle it:
- Get a Certified Appraisal First: Don't just walk into a shop and ask "what will you give me?" Go to a certified gemologist who isn't trying to buy the piece from you. This gives you a baseline value.
- Check the BBB and Local News: As we saw with Rick Davis, a business can have a storefront for 30 years and still have a mounting pile of legal complaints. Look for recent patterns of "worthless checks" or "failure to deliver."
- Document Everything: Take high-resolution photos of your items before handing them over for repair or appraisal.
- Avoid "Melting" Pressure: If a dealer is pushy about melting an item down immediately, that's a massive red flag.
The story of Rick Davis Gold and Diamonds Chattanooga serves as a wild chapter in local history, but for many former customers, it’s a story of lost money and broken trust. Whether you viewed him as a local icon or a "fence" in plain sight, the era of "talking gold" on Brainerd Road has officially come to a close.
To stay safe with your own investments, always prioritize transparency over a "fast cash" promise. Make sure any dealer you work with is willing to put their offers in writing and allows you the time to seek a second opinion. Research local estate sales and auctions if you're looking for deals, but always verify the authenticity of the pieces through an independent third party before any money changes hands.