Dry Cleaning -- how long would you wait?

[L Sass]

Hi all. Need your input. On April 11th I took my drapes to my local dry cleaner for cleaning -- they were promised back to my on April 18th. On April 19th I took a second set in to be cleaned and tried to pick up the first set. Was told the first set was not there, that due to a fringe on it they were sent out to another cleaner. Nobody ever called me to tell me this.

On April 22nd I went to pick up the first set, and the owner of the local spot told me she didn't know why they were not back, but she would call and find out and call me back. Nobody ever called me back (starting to see a pattern here?)

On April 26th I went back to pick up both sets. Picked up the second set, first set nowhere to be seen. Told the owner I was having a dinner party that evening and really needed my drapes back. She would call and let me know -- you got it -- no call.

Went in today (April 30) to pick up the first set, they're not in. They'll call the second cleaner and find out - yah, right. I told them if my drapes are not back by Friday (5/2) someone, I don't care who, is buying me new drapes.

I came home and called the second cleaner myself, who advised that they received them in for cleaning YESTERDAY, and hope to have them back to the local place by Friday. I reiterated my Friday drop dead date. I then called the local place back and advised that I am NOT paying for this cleaning, and again reiterated that if they are not back to me by Friday, someone is getting me new ones.

Am I being unreasonable, and how long would you wait?

Lorrie

www.picturetrail.com/lsass

 

[allwildgirl]

You're not being unreasonable at all! So, they were sitting at the drop-off place for that long? This happened to me with my mother's matelasse coverlet. Only it just never came back. They ended up compensating me for it, but I would rather have had the coverlet, especially since it was shortly after she passed away.

You definitely shouldn't be paying for that cleaning. That's ridiculous. Where was the first set of drapes all that time?

 

[kathryn]

Sounds like a case for Judge Judy (and I'm sure she'd side with you)!

 

[materialsgirl]

Not unreasonable at all! The first place obviously dropped the ball (it's EXTREMELY unprofessional to repeatedly tell a customer you will call them and then not follow through). I'd find a new dry-cleaner after all this is over, if I were you.

 

[TeTe]

You showed more patience than I would have. That's ridiculous!!! And to just lie to you like that. You shouldn't have to pay for ANYthing. Heck, they shouldn't have even charged you for the second set, just because of the inconvenience of the whole thing!

I hope you get them back Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[pixie9]

I agree with everyone else and wanted to add that you should inform them that if they don't compensate you or if they charge you for the drapes, you will be reporting them to the better business bureau. I know that doesn't always help but DH and I did that with our local (at the time) Volkswagen dealer and they ended up having to do a lot of paperwork because of it. Oh, and they called us up with an 'explanation' and an apology.

Carolyn

 

[cakebaker]

"You showed more patience than I would have." ME, TOO!!! You should get a refund for the second set and not have to pay for the first set.

 

[L Sass]

Thank you all. You know sometimes when you're in the middle of a situation you tend to lose your perspective. Needless to say I won't be returning to this particular establishment in the future. It will be interesting to see what Friday brings.

Lorrie

www.picturetrail.com/lsass

 

[atiman]

Yes, I would be very bothered.


I wonder if the fringe fell off or some sort of other damage occured and needed to be repaired first?

Did you have these made?

I make custom drapery and I don't, as well as the industry recommend dry cleaning or washing drapery. One, cleaning can removed the protective finish that is on fabric, secondly, shrinkage and thirdly damage.

Vacumming is all that is usually needed.

Namita

 

[melimcn]

I would not wait for them to send the drapes back to the original cleaner, either.
I'd go to pick them up from the second cleaner as soon as they were done. If they're not close to you to pick up, ask them to be shipped, and then send the shipping bill to the original cleaner.

There's no point in waiting for the extra step of them sending them back to the original place. Particularly since you know you probably won't get a call when they come in!

 

[Miss Lee]

>Yes, I would be very bothered.
>
>
>I wonder if the fringe fell off or some sort of other damage
>occured and needed to be repaired first?
>
>Did you have these made?
>
>I make custom drapery and I don't, as well as the industry
>recommend dry cleaning or washing drapery. One, cleaning can
>removed the protective finish that is on fabric, secondly,
>shrinkage and thirdly damage.
>
>Vacumming is all that is usually needed.
>
>Namita

I have custom draperies and this is the advice I was given. I've never done anything but vacuum them and they still look fantastic after 10 years! I also had a protective film applied to my windows to block UV rays and my 10 year old furniture and upholstery hasn't faded one bit, so I would highly recommend that, as well.

 

[jdawnc]

This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where the cleaners where wearing the garments as their own. Maybe your drapes were so nice that they were having guests over and decided to use them