Dry cleaning price change

botchgal

Hi

I took a coat into the dry cleaners and paid £13.56 to have it done. I said I would pick it up the same time next week.

I went today to pick it up but the manager said I had been charged the wrong price and it should have been over £50. He hadn't cleaned it and said he wouldn't do so for the money I had paid. The only thing he would do was give me a refund - which I took under protest that I was sure we had a contract and he was obliged to carry out the dry cleaning - even though his employee had charged me the wrong price. He said I was free to take legal advice on the matter.

Does anyone know whether I am correct and that, by not carrying out the cleaning for the price agreed at the time, he is in breach of contract? Also does the fact that he has now refunded the money (under protest from me who wanted the coat cleaned and not a refund) void that contract?

Thanks

BG

cleo1299

Can you get the coat cleaned elsewhere for £13.56? If so, problem solved -- take the coat elsewhere.

If you can't get the coat cleaned elsewhere for £13.56, it probably was just a mistake. And you've got your money back, so you're in the position you were before you went in there. You want to try to force the cleaner to clean your coat at a loss, because the employee made a mistake in the pricing. It doesn't seem very fair.

botchgal

I am more interested in the legal position I am in should this happen again. Is it fair that the dry cleaner has broken the contract his employee had entered into with me on his behalf?

cleo1299

botchgal wrote: »

I am more interested in the legal position I am in should this happen again. Is it fair that the dry cleaner has broken the contract his employee had entered into with me on his behalf?

Legally -- I believe he's entitled to choose to refund your money and decline to provide you with the service. I could be wrong.

Is it fair? Honestly, I can't see anything unfair about him giving you a refund. It seems like the sensible outcome to me -- fair on both parties.

smcaul

There was an offer (£13.56) made by the dry cleaners, there was acceptance by you, and consideration was paid (£13.56 paid to them), contract was therefore formed - by not cleaning there was a breach of contract by the dry cleaners - you did not have to take a refund, and could quite rightly, I believe, get the coat cleaned elsewhere at a higher price and claim the difference in price from him.

He was a bit of a fool really, I bet you will never go there again!!!

botchgal

I certainly will not go there again. This whole incident took place in a shop full of customers - talk about feeling conspicuous! I am sure when he said I was free to take legal advice on the matter he thought I would give up and go away. There is a principle at stake here!

ihatecaptcha

What a terrible experience. That could cause permanent psychological damage. Surely it would be a good idea to see a counsellor and claim the cost from the dry cleaner.

lindos90

£50 to clean a coat!!:eek:

When buying a product to be delivered, I understand the contract is binding when the item is despatched. Up until that time the company can refund the money (in cases where decimal points have been put in the wrong place on a web site, but then noticed and withdrawn, and any orders refunded)

When buying a 'service' its not so clear cut is it, perhaps when the service has been carried out?

On the flip side, what if they had cleaned it, but then demanded £50, holding your coat to randsom, that would clearly not have been acceptable to pay more without being advised first, as your agreed price was lower.

Im guessing the assistant had a price list, but perhaps there were different charges dependent on the size or coat material and she charged for a 'cheaper' service that was not suitable for your coat

Reminds me of threads where someone has bought say, an electrical item, but the sales assistant gave them a similar looking, but much higher spec model by mistake, then the shop contacts the person and asks them to return the product, would the customer be legally obliged to keep it.....Similarly would you be intitled to recieve the higher cost service for the cheaper price?