Very annoying local laundrette rip-off - Reynaud's Hitchin

AliceBanned

Hi

I know this is a local matter but I really need to rant. TWICE I have tried to wash my duvet in a large machine at local laundrette (usually I don't use it as I have machine for general wash at home). TWICE it has taken £6 on each occasion and the machine hasn't worked, and would not return my coins. AAGGH! It is so annoying!! Each time I have left several message's on the proprietor's voicemail, and he never answers, never returns calls. This time i was so annoyed that I went to the police. they said contact trading standards but agreed not much I can do as it is not worth going to the small claims court. So this man is probably getting away with stealing money from customers repeatedly, and no one can contact him or get money back!! Police said "change your laundrette". I'd like other people to know this too - how can a business be run in this way?!! Unlikely that I am so unlucky that on each occasion I've used it, this has only happened to me! And why doesn't the rude a£$s*hole get back to me. Any suggestions appreciated.:mad:

Forwandert

I would suggest not wasting the time of the police, what did you think they would do?

dreavi

Forwandert wrote: »

I would suggest not wasting the time of the police, what did you think they would do?

Find the owner and dunk his head repeatedly in water whilst going "Wheres the Money!!" ?

diable

Forwandert wrote: »

I would suggest not wasting the time of the police, what did you think they would do?

Maybe go under (duvet) cover and investigate.......... but I have heard that the proprietors crimes are "sheets" long........... lol

Paul_Varjak

With the lack of launderettes these days, coupled with the prices they charge, I have decided it is better to only have 4.5 tog duvets - make sure you can get the type that can be attached to another 4.5 tog duvet, for winter use.

A 4.5 tog double duvet will fit into my domestic washer, whereas a 9 tog one will not. It save time and money than travelling a few miles to the local launderette (about 6 miles away).

Another tip - don't buy the duvets that have 'tea bag' covers - they won't wash at high temperatures; I wash my duvets on the hottest was possible, air them for a week, before storing them away for 5-7 months for the next use.

paddyrg

You could stick a 'do not use - swallows money' sign on the machine, with your phone number on the back, and keep replacing it until you get a call asking you to stop (if he loses money from that machine)...

MothballsWallet

Or go to the local paper? They might be interested in printing the story and shaming the owner into actually doing something.

AliceBanned

Forwandert wrote: »

I would suggest not wasting the time of the police, what did you think they would do?

The police station happens to be two streets away so I went there. They advised me to contact Trading Standards. They agreed that this could be a scam and could be happening to lots of people.

He did actually phone me back (unlike last time it happened despite my many messages). We had an argument as he was pretty rude and unapologetic, but finally agreed to send me a cheque. this was after me sending a text about going to trading standards and also to the local newspaper.

AliceBanned

paddyrg wrote: »

You could stick a 'do not use - swallows money' sign on the machine, with your phone number on the back, and keep replacing it until you get a call asking you to stop (if he loses money from that machine)...

Good idea. If I get my money back I will leave it at that as I don't want to risk being the one accused of breaking the law. he has phoned me and told me he has had the place for 30 years and had no complaints. What a coincidence that the only two occasions I've used it, it has swallowed my money.:rotfl:

AliceBanned

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

With the lack of launderettes these days, coupled with the prices they charge, I have decided it is better to only have 4.5 tog duvets - make sure you can get the type that can be attached to another 4.5 tog duvet, for winter use.

A 4.5 tog double duvet will fit into my domestic washer, whereas a 9 tog one will not. It save time and money than travelling a few miles to the local launderette (about 6 miles away).

Another tip - don't buy the duvets that have 'tea bag' covers - they won't wash at high temperatures; I wash my duvets on the hottest was possible, air them for a week, before storing them away for 5-7 months for the next use.

A very helpful response, thanks.:) Unlike some posts are implying, it isn't funny as having allergies it is fairly serious, so it's great to be given this practical advice. So do you use synthetic ones? I had to wash and dry mine at medium temp (40) so don't think it will get rid of dust mites anyway?

Paul_Varjak

I use duvets with cotton covers and polyester fillings and wash at 90C, ignoring any advice on the duvet about the temperature to use!

But, according to this article, 60C should be sufficient...

http://www.newscientist.com/blog/environment/2007/05/warm-wash-mite-not-be-healthy.html

I have also read that exposure to sunlight also kills mites, so air you duvet on a sunny day outside (but this will not get rid of mite's droppings - only washing can do that).