Laundry shops welcome the peak season as complaints and disputes arise again
Release Time:
2012-12-19 19:52
Source:
Yalu River Evening News
Recently, during visits to several laundries in Dandong city, reporters found that business was good everywhere, and the staff were busy.
The cleaning fees for expensive clothing are high, but whether the clothes truly receive treatment worthy of the cleaning fee is questionable. Disappointing issues such as clothes not being cleaned properly, fading, deformation, and dye stains often occur after trustingly sending clothes for dry cleaning. Since December, the Consumer Association has received noticeably more complaints about dry cleaning compared to previous months.
Careless pre-wash inspection
Difficult dispute resolution
"The wool coat brought back from abroad was damaged by the dry cleaner after only a few wears. If I had known, I would have washed it at home myself." Zhang Lei, who lives in Jiangpan International, brought his wife's damaged high-end coat to the Zhen'an District Consumer Association. In early December, Zhang's wife paid 50 yuan to have a coat worth 700 euros dry cleaned at a nearby dry cleaner. A few days later, Zhang took the coat home and hung it directly in the wardrobe. On December 15, when his wife took out the coat to wear it, she found multiple seam breaks in the lining.
After receiving Zhang Lei's complaint, the Consumer Association staff contacted the dry cleaner, who claimed the coat lining was already torn when Zhang brought it in. "Besides, he took the coat back many days ago; it’s likely damaged by himself." Since Zhang and his wife did not carefully inspect the coat before and after cleaning, the dispute arose and the Consumer Association was powerless to intervene.
Also troubled by dry cleaning issues was Li Hui, a resident of Dongping Jiayuan community. Not long ago, Li Hui sent a red down jacket, which cost 1200 yuan and was bought for her son, to a nearby dry cleaner. Upon picking it up, she found multiple oil stains on the back of the jacket and argued with the staff. In frustration, she filed a complaint with the Zhen'an District Consumer Association.
After mediation by the Consumer Association, the store agreed to rewash the jacket and promised to remove the oil stains. However, after waiting several days, Li Hui was still dissatisfied as the stains were not completely gone. She then requested compensation from the dry cleaner. The owner claimed the problem was with the jacket’s fabric itself. Left with no choice, Ms. Li filed another complaint with the Zhen'an District Consumer Association. After multiple mediations, the dry cleaner compensated Ms. Li 300 yuan.
Difficult to distinguish between dry cleaning and water washing
Continuous disputes
At the end of November, Li Yaohui found a small stain on a wool sweater he bought for over a thousand yuan and took it to a nearby laundry for dry cleaning. When he picked it up, he found the sweater severely shrunk and deformed. "I suspect it was water washed." Li Yaohui argued with the dry cleaner owner, who insisted it was dry cleaned.
On the afternoon of December 16, a reporter visited a laundry on Erjing Street. When asked about dry cleaning, the owner pointed to the only dry cleaning machine in the store and said, "Using dry cleaning solvent in this machine will definitely clean the clothes." However, the machine was piled with thick clothes, quilts, and other miscellaneous items, and the door was covered in dust, indicating it was not frequently used.
An industry insider explained that the cheapest domestic dry cleaning machine costs 40,000 to 50,000 yuan, plus dry cleaning solvent costing over 3,000 yuan per barrel, which only lasts a little over a month. Many small businesses cannot afford this equipment, so water washing is often used instead of dry cleaning, becoming an unspoken rule in small dry cleaning shops. Some machines labeled as dry cleaning machines are actually dryers or outdated equipment no longer in use.
Wash with peace of mind
It’s best to go to a formal laundry
"Some small shops have laundry workers who are not professionally trained and do not understand fabric well. Many oil stains and color issues are not handled properly, easily causing color mixing during cleaning or even turning white clothes blotchy." Consumer Association staff suggest consumers choose formal, reputable dry cleaners with business licenses and good service when cleaning clothes.
When sending clothes for cleaning, clearly fill in the brand, color, style, and whether there are damages or color differences, and have both parties sign to confirm. When picking up clothes, carefully inspect for damages, deformation, fading, or dye stains. Raise any objections on the spot and keep relevant evidence to file complaints promptly.
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