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Clothing ruined - what should I do?

kiwigirluk
Posts: 38 Forumite
On Valentines Day, we went out for dinner. Towards the end of the meal, I felt a hot stinging sensation on the back of my arm, and a lump of candle wax had landed on me. I soon discovered that the candle on the ledge above us had been dripping throughout the meal - on my coat, which was on the booth seat between myself and the wall, the back of my top, and my hair, which is almost waist length and I was wearing loose.
I asked the waiter to move the candle, he didn't/wouldn't but the candle was put out. By now, we had already finished our meal and had asked for the bill. We paid and left, but not before speaking to the manager, whose witty response was "You can re-use the wax later tonight". :mad:
I've managed to get the wax out of my hair finally (lots of picking and washing), and am hoping the mark on my arm will disappear shortly BUT after taking both my coat and top to the drycleaners, the wax marks are still there, and the drycleaner said nothing more can be done. The coat was brand new in December at £120, and the top I brought in France in the January sales for £35.00.
I phoned the restaurant twice, explained the situation and asked the manager to call me back, but I'm not getting any response.
Suggestions?
I asked the waiter to move the candle, he didn't/wouldn't but the candle was put out. By now, we had already finished our meal and had asked for the bill. We paid and left, but not before speaking to the manager, whose witty response was "You can re-use the wax later tonight". :mad:
I've managed to get the wax out of my hair finally (lots of picking and washing), and am hoping the mark on my arm will disappear shortly BUT after taking both my coat and top to the drycleaners, the wax marks are still there, and the drycleaner said nothing more can be done. The coat was brand new in December at £120, and the top I brought in France in the January sales for £35.00.
I phoned the restaurant twice, explained the situation and asked the manager to call me back, but I'm not getting any response.
Suggestions?
0
Comments
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The dry cleaner won't be able to remove the wax, as they won't have the stuff to do it...
Have you tried putting brown paper or some form of absorbant paper over the wax, then ironing it? This should remove the wax from the coat/top and leave it stuck to the paper. THEN dry clean it.
I think you can also try putting your top in the freezer, then the wax will just crumble off.
Don't bother phoning the restaurant. WRITE to them, and send it recorded delivery. If you've tried the above to get the wax out, and it still fails, then ask them in the letter for the cost of a new coat and top.Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0 -
The other (more important) issue is that hot wax dripped onto you and burned you - albeit slightly - which is a health and safety issue; the restaurant have a Duty of Care for its customers. Take photographs of the mark on your arm and the damaged clothes.
Then write to the manager stating the damage that was done and that you require compensation to the value of your damaged clothes plus the cleaning bills and hairdressing costs. State that you reported the incident to a waiter plus the manager at the time, but only had a crude response, and that they have ignored previous telephone calls, but if they don't reply to this letter within 7 days you'll have no option other than to involve a solicitor and that you will make an additional claim for pain and suffering plus legal fees.
Write 'cc Health & Safety Executive' below your signature, which will make them think you've also copied the letter to HSE. and/or tell them that you'll have no hesitation in contacting the local press.
Also, if you feel you need some more support, ring Citizens Advice Beureau.
Good luck.0 -
The dry cleaner won't be able to remove the wax, as they won't have the stuff to do it...
Have you tried putting brown paper or some form of absorbant paper over the wax, then ironing it? This should remove the wax from the coat/top and leave it stuck to the paper. THEN dry clean it.
I think you can also try putting your top in the freezer, then the wax will just crumble off.
Don't bother phoning the restaurant. WRITE to them, and send it recorded delivery. If you've tried the above to get the wax out, and it still fails, then ask them in the letter for the cost of a new coat and top.
Comletely agree with you pinkshoes.
Make sure the iron is warm and not hot, you may need to go over the fabric several times. Bounty / any other absorbent paper towel works well.Value-for-money-for-me-puhleeze!
"No man is worth, crawling on the earth"- adapted from Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio
Hope is not a strategy...A child is for life, not just 18 years....Don't get me started on the NHS, because you won't win...I love chaz-ing!
0 -
Thanks for repair suggestions, but we've tried the iron version, and the marks are still visible.. Not sure if the candles were fragranced or something, but they've left marks.
The mark on my arm itself is only small, maybe the size of my fingernail, and I'm using Bio Oil on it.
I've rung again this morning, and left a voicemail... if still no good, I'll go the letter route, and update if/when I get a response0 -
Placing candles where they can do damage is a stupid idea. Dripping wax is the least risk, what if the candle fell off the ledge and caused a fire. I doubt the insurers would be amused or consider this to be anything other than negligence. If they knew, that is.Value-for-money-for-me-puhleeze!
"No man is worth, crawling on the earth"- adapted from Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio
Hope is not a strategy...A child is for life, not just 18 years....Don't get me started on the NHS, because you won't win...I love chaz-ing!
0 -
The dry cleaner won't be able to remove the wax, as they won't have the stuff to do it...
Have you tried putting brown paper or some form of absorbant paper over the wax, then ironing it? This should remove the wax from the coat/top and leave it stuck to the paper. THEN dry clean it.
I think you can also try putting your top in the freezer, then the wax will just crumble off.
Don't bother phoning the restaurant. WRITE to them, and send it recorded delivery. If you've tried the above to get the wax out, and it still fails, then ask them in the letter for the cost of a new coat and top.
Great tip Pinkshoes, you can also put talc on the wax before ironing with brown paper to help draw the wax out.Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0
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