Help - Duped by the Cleaners!

I took 4 identical curtains to the cleaners in Ashburn Farm (next to the Giant) last week to have them cleaned. When I returned to pick them up, one of them had small brown spots on it. I asked for it to be recleaned. The clerk was fine with this, however she wanted me to pay for all four pieces. I got into a small tiff with her and told her I would pay for three now, and then pay for the fourth one when I returned again to pick it up after recleaning. The clerk was NOT HAPPY, but finally allowed me to pay for three, so I did and left the store.

I returned a few days later to get the fourth curtain. This time, no problem, spots were gone, curtain seemed clean.

Two days later, my husband and I hang all four pieces on one rod (since they all go together) only to find out that the "fourth" piece was 6 inches SHORTER!! After further inspection, I find that the curtain is not the same one I dropped off, but is a shade different in color, a cheaper fabric, and not as wide (short by 2 in.) or as long.

I went back to ask if there was a mistake - and the "same" clerk would not DO anything or SAY anything. She wouldn't check to see if another curtain was hanging in the back OR call the manager. If it's not a mistake, why would they try and give me something that isn't mine? I can't help but think that this "fourth" curtain was intentionally replaced since it is so similar in appearance that you can't tell the difference on the first look.

Anybody have any thoughts on HOW I can get my original curtain back?? (Spots and all if necessary!)

 

Re: Help - Duped by the Cleaners!!

Try going back on a different day/time to speak with someone else, or try to get the manager. If they won't talk to you maybe the BBB?

 

Re: Help - Duped by the Cleaners!!

And be sure to tell the manager/owner that you have now shared your experience with the entire community of Broadlands so they can expect their business to go WAY down.


Good luck. That stinks.

 

Re: Help - Duped by the Cleaners!!

I had a problem with a dry cleaner in Reston where they lost all of my clothes. I wrote the business a letter describing the problem, conversations had and what I expected them to do to resolve the issue. You could tell them they need to locate and properly clean the missing curtain or reimburse you for it. I'd try telling them that since it's part of a set, they need to pay for the whole thing to be replaced. This probably won't do anything but then you can go to the BBB and file a complaint with proof (send certified or Fedex) you attempted to resolve it yourself. You could also look into small claims court. I don't think it costs much to file and it causes the business alot of inconvenience.

The cleaners in Reston did find my stuff before I filed my complaint. They also reacted strongly when I told the owner I was telling everyone who worked at my company that they lost clothes. We were in the building upstairs.

 

I have now been back three times to talk with the manager/owner regarding this missing curtain. (Once, at a time another employee told me the manager would be there.) All three times I have been dismissed by the employees saying "they can't call the owner; they only work there". I have left messages for the owner to call me, but to no avail.

Anybody have an ideas how I can locate the owner of this establishment? Can the owner of the building provide me with a name and phone for the leasee?

I guess my last resort will be to file a small claims case - Anybody have experience in doing something like that? Any lawyers out there with suggestions on what to do?

 

Thank's ahead of time......

The exact address is: 43330 Junction Plaza, #132, Ashburn VA 20147 and the cleaner is in the Ashburn Farm Village Center (right next to Giant).

 

Please let them know that they have lost a customer due to their lack of response to your problem.

 

Make that 2 customers....

 

One last thing I want to share about this cleaner......

I filed a complaint with BBB and was not surprised to find that this particular business has had 4 prior complaints in the last 3 years. Two of those complaints were unresolved. So, it just goes to show you that checking on the business practices of some organizations is beneficial (especially if done PRIOR to having a problem!).

Thanks for the support - I hope others will discontinue use of this establishment.

 

I've never used them - have always gone to the cleaners by Food Lion since we first moved to Ashburn in 1988. They're wonderful and have never had a problem there.

 

Check with Loudoun County - they have to have a business permit...usually with the Owners info

 

I highly recommend MAPLE CLEANERS in Sterling, VA. Guess what?? You do not have to drop-off clothes, shoe repairs, or alterations. As the mother of quads and soon to mom to a set of twins, I cut trips as much as I can. For great organization and saving on gas, Maple Cleaners offers FREE PICKUP AND DELIVERY IN ASHBURN AREAS AND OTHER AREAS. Since we live on a small 25 acre farm in western Loudoun--it comes in handy!

Prices are reasonable--mens' shirts hung and pressed/starched at $.99. Repairs on shoes also--just put every item in provided for large bags and they will do the rest! Alterations every thing--leave note pinned with what you wish for them to do. They clean linens--check for rugs.

Bergmanns Cleaners is also good. They pickup large rugs, etc. No shoe repairs or alterations.

They are great and no problems!

 

Update:

My husband was able to find out that the dry cleaners tried to BLEACH out the tiny spots on my IVORY curtain and they finally admitted they basically screwed up.

He was also able to convince them to pay for the error, and much to our suprise we had a check in hand within a few days.

Unfortunately, I do not have my complete set of curtains and I will now have to shop for a new set, but I am satisfied they owned up to the mistake and took an appropriate action to correct it.

I will still stay away from them in the future, but I thought it only fair to post that they did "finally" righted a wrong.

This was definately a lesson learned to take caution and check out these types of businesses in the future!