Wedding dress ruined by dry cleaners

maisybelle_2

My wedding dress has just returned from Johnson's dry cleaners with a rip in the material. Predictably they are saying it 's not their fault, blaming either wear and tear (how long do they think I wore it for?!) or the manufacturers (I find this hard to believe).

They are members of the Textiles Association (or something like that!) so I have contacted them and as they are unable to resolve the issue they've recommended I get an independent report done, which will state who is at fault. This is all good and well, but I have had to pay £100 for the dress to be returned to me from the dry cleaners, I will have to pay hefty postage and packaging to send it recorded delivery, and the report itself costs £150 - obviously if Johnson's are found to be at fault they will pay the £150 and 'compensation'..... is it worth it?

The dress cost my mum £650 so I probably will do it, out of principle and they are bound to be at fault... but how much compensation am I likely to receive? Will it be a full reimbercement of the dress? Does anyone have any experiences?

Thanks.

Kavanne

you may have signed a disclaimer when you took it down, i used to work for a dry cleaner and we always did that but i am not sure if it's legally binding.

maisybelle_2

Nope, didn't sign anything at all. They signed a form stating there were no rips or damage to the material (other than dirt!) and that was it!

butler_helen

maisybelle wrote: »

Nope, didn't sign anything at all. They signed a form stating there were no rips or damage to the material (other than dirt!) and that was it!

so you have a signed piece of paper from them saying there are no rips or damage? surely that is proof that they are wrong?

im not sure what I would do, although I would definitely be highlighting the signed confirmation to their head office... good luck with johnsons, even when ive pointed out stains I want removing, they then promise to get them out, then don't, they don't care :mad:

Lottebear

I know when mine was cleaned, by a specailst wedding cleaners, they said it was ever only insured for 50% of its value.

I would contact there head office and see if it can resovled without the report, I am sure you can demonstrate by photograph it was in perfect condition prior to cleaning.

ABH_3

They owe you and your possessions a 'duty of care' if they fail in achieving that and therefore damage your item whilst its in their care then they are liable for damages, which could be a new dress if the 'tear' or damage is bad enough to alter the dress in some drastic way.

So 'expert opinion' could be from the shop you purchased the dress from, afterall they know the most about it and would be considered 'experts' if they're bridal wear specialists etc, perhaps they could offer an expert opinion on how much force would need to be applied, and in what direction to have caused the damage done. Then simply send them a letter detailing the costs. They should put you back into the situation you occupied before going into the shop with a dress of an aassertable value or at least compensation for any damage done.

How much?

You'll get the fee for cleaning back, the money you paid to get the dress back, the 'expert opinion' fee returned - everything, infact if you submit a small claims court claim you will get everything back, plus I think 8% interest per day untill it gets into court, you'll possibly have to under go some 'mediation' in order to reach an agreement with a court mediator before you get into court, but if you insist you want to be put back into the condition you were in prior to entering the shop, then the shop has to reimburse you for one dress or the cost of one dress which you say is or was worth £650 Plus whatever other money you've had to pay ie: postage, petrol etc everything you can prove.

HTH

maisybelle_2

Thanks everyone! You've all reinforced what I was thinking really, so I will certainly be giving it a go!

custardy

maisybelle wrote: »

My wedding dress has just returned from Johnson's dry cleaners with a rip in the material. Predictably they are saying it 's not their fault, blaming either wear and tear (how long do they think I wore it for?!) or the manufacturers (I find this hard to believe).

They are members of the Textiles Association (or something like that!) so I have contacted them and as they are unable to resolve the issue they've recommended I get an independent report done, which will state who is at fault. This is all good and well, but I have had to pay £100 for the dress to be returned to me from the dry cleaners, I will have to pay hefty postage and packaging to send it recorded delivery, and the report itself costs £150 - obviously if Johnson's are found to be at fault they will pay the £150 and 'compensation'..... is it worth it?

The dress cost my mum £650 so I probably will do it, out of principle and they are bound to be at fault... but how much compensation am I likely to receive? Will it be a full reimbercement of the dress? Does anyone have any experiences?

Thanks.

off topic but please make sure you use a delivery service that covers the cost of the dress
recorded delivery is under £40

aycor

get in touch with your local trading standards office and they will give you advice and draft a letter for you and also write to them on your behalf and if you take them to the small claims court they will help you with that as well. good luck.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I took a very expensive suit belonging to my husband to Johnson's.
It was a very fine fabric and when we got it back the collar had a mark across it that looked like a scuff mark and there was a hole in the middle of the mark.
We took it back and they just said that it was'nt their responsibility as we left the suit at our own risk.
I wrote an official complaint but they just offered to have the suit "invisibly mended" but said they could'nt do anything about the scuff.
My daughter stopped me sending anything to the cleaners as when she was at uni she worked in a Johnsons cleaners and she was horrified at the lack of care they took.She said clothes were just thrown on the floor till they were ready to be dealt with and then they were'nt careful with them.

worthago

Write to the Head Office and make an official complaint and give them 14 days to respond and reimburse you for your loss ie the cost of the now ruined dress and the money you have paid to have it cleaned informing them that you intend to pursue it through the small claims court should they not settle to your satisfaction. Do not let them get away with this!