I just spent the better part of 10 weeks dealing with a dry cleaner, I feel that I am almost obligated to pass on my experience in hopes that no one else will have to face a similar scenario.
In December, I dropped off a blazer (which had only been worn twice) to be cleaned to wear to my staff party. On date that I was given for pick up, I was told they didn’t have my blazer, and that it was likely marked wrong and I’d have it the following Friday. At this point I’m disappointed since the following Friday would be 6 days too late.
I began calling and visiting every few days, and was told that my blazer must be misplaced and they would be looking for it at another location. On each of these visits and calls, I was promised someone from management would be in contact with me (same day) to further discuss my situation. Never once did I ask for reimbursement, I just wanted them to find my blazer. (Also to note: I was aware that the slip stated: in the case of lost garments, we refund 5 times the cost of the service.)
Finally after 7 weeks of no contact from management, I called and was angry for the first time, my patience had run out. The next day I was called by a man who said he was part owner: he asked me the details of my jacket, wanted to know where it had been purchased and the cost. I was told he would be reimbursing me with a giftcard, and ensured me that what had happened to me was not the norm for their company. I of course thanked the man, knowing that this was above and beyond their stated policy. Later that evening I picked up an envelope… and to my surprise, the envelope was filled with gift certificates to THEM, and even better… they would expire in a little over a month. I laughed, a lot. That was not the agreement that we had communicated. I immediately tried to make contact with this man again to figure out which one of us was confused about our clearly stated arrangement.
After nearly 3 weeks and 5 messages left, I finally had my call returned. I merely wanted to understand where along the way the miscommunication happened, and to express my disappointment in how they handled the situation after their company lost something that I owed. I of course, was not interested in gift certificates to a company I had no confidence in. And to further add insult to injury, I was informed by a suddenly very rude and defensive man, that “if I was going to be like that” he would leave me a cheque for $45 (5 times the service cost).
I fail to see how any of this treatment can be deemed as even adequate customer service. There is an unwritten rule of trust when a consumer leaves their possession with a service provider. Do accidents happen? Of course! But it would have been really nice to have dealt with a company who didn’t attempt to push me to the side, and in the end speak so disrespectfully to me.
….I still just really want my blazer back. —Cranky Blonde
This article appears in Feb 20-26, 2014.
Seinfeld episode not nearly so funny in real life.
If it is unwritten there is no rule.
if this is a real bitch, then you need to file a report with BBB, chamber of commerce, and google maps has a feature that allows you to attach a review to their location.
Send in the Spetznas, problem solved.
Lord that is shitty service. I work at Same Day on Young St I would never allow something like that to happen to one of my customers .
all dry cleaners are not created equal and the standard practice is to pay 10 times the amount of the service and if we lose it (which has happened once in the 5 years I have worked there) we would replace it or issue a cheque subject to minor deprecation depending on the age of the garment .
Come visit me next time , Cheers
as expected in due fashion… the budddha troll has been slayed.
This was prime click-bait and nary a word of springgarden, flourishing business and awesome waterfront condo.
The way it should be.
Absolutely, Zed. Budd-hah imploded big time. I believe the comments about her abrasive personality at her place of business put paid on that snotty little troll.
If she does return with more puke-worthy posts, I have several more cringe worthy on-line reviews of Budd-duh’s dragon-like demeanor with customers at her glitz and tits store.
You two are clearly seething with jealously by my successful retail business on Spring Garden Road, my expensive car, my beautiful waterfront condo, and all my beautiful expensive things. I would suggest getting laid but zZzedward Hyde is too dull and the rag hag is too busy picking through bins at value village to wrangle herself a talented artist boyfriend like mine. Both of you can only dream of living a life like mine. That’s because I put all my daddy’s money on the line to open my very successful retail business on Spring Garden Road.
Oh, Budddha, you’re just jealous of my beautiful bingo wings. And I have sparkle neon bingo dabbers you would kill for!