Item ruined during dry cleaning

thriftymanc

In short: Bought expensive item. Took said item to dry cleaners for the first time. Received it back ruined. Dry cleaners say "sorry about that" and they just dry cleaned it normally. The place I bought it from say "sorry about that" and no refund or replacement.

Who should I be pursuing here? The dry cleaners for not cleaning it properly, or the company who sold it for mislabelling the care instructions? Considering I can't prove which is actually the case - but either way one of them is wrong and I'm down £200

hcb42

I think you would need independent report on the cleaning to determine who was liable here, the dry cleaner might be able to advise.

somethingcorporate

Did the item say it was suitable for dry cleaning?

unholyangel

I may be wrong but i believe you can chase both.

That doesnt mean you'll get paid out twice though. Personally i'd initially chase the dry cleaners. Can they prove they followed the care instructions to the letter?

InsideInsurance

Your contracts are with the dry cleaning vendor and the garment vendor. It is therefore one of these two that you potentially can pursue for the damages.

The problem will be for you to work out which one is responsible.

Most dry cleaners normally have a notice up to say they accept no liability for damages caused from dry cleaning, for things like silk they sometimes even make you sign something saying that it will be on a best endeavours basis and could result in damages. Whilst neither of these absolve them of reckless damages it does create a bigger struggle as you the burden of proof becomes higher.

I personally would more likely go after the shop and ask the dry cleaners to provide a letter advising exactly what treatment was used on the garment by them.

peachyprice

Did you check that the drycleaners used the correct chemical, as descibed on the label

DrycleanDry Clean, any solvent, any cycle any moisture, any heat.

Dryclean, Any SolventDry Clean, any solvent. Usually used with other restrictions on proper dry cleaning procedure
.Dryclean, Petroleum Solvent OnlyDry Clean using only petroleum solvent. Usually used with other restrictions
.Dryclean, Any Solvent Except TrichloroethyleneAny dry cleaning solvent other than trichloroethylene may be safely used.

Grandmama

I had a ruined item back from the dry cleaners, wool based, all wrinkled and looked shrunken. Knowing I had nothing to lose I put it in the washing machine on a wool wash with wool wash soap and it came out wearable. Much softer than after the dry cleaning. Cost £10 at the dry cleaners. Have had nothing dry cleaned since, washing items by hand in soap and water if not happy to put in washer. Nothing has been ruined since.