Rising costs have led to a hidden price increase in some community laundromats
Release Time:
2010-09-30 08:24
Source:
Beijing Evening News
Dry cleaning a jacket is 10 yuan more expensive
News report It's the season for autumn wardrobe change again. Many residents send sweaters, cotton-padded clothes, and thick quilts stored for more than half a year to laundry shops for cleaning and backup. Reporters found that prices at community small laundry shops have increased by 10% to 20% this year; the shops said that rising rent and laundry detergent prices have increased costs. However, many consumers who purchased prepaid cards are unhappy that merchants raised prices without notification.
Community laundry shops raise prices by 10% to 20%
"It's the same quilt with quilting. When I sent it for cleaning in March this year, it cost 32 yuan, and the shop even provided pick-up and delivery. Last week, when I sent it again, the charge was 40 yuan. The laundry shop said there are many customers recently and it will take four days to pick it up," Ms. Dong, who lives near Panjiayuan, told reporters.
Reporters found that many individual laundry shops in mature communities have simultaneously raised prices. Especially for autumn and winter seasonal clothes and quilts, the cleaning prices have increased significantly. For example, the water washing price for 2x2 meter air-conditioning quilts and thin blankets rose from about 30 yuan to 40 yuan. Dry cleaning for thick jackets and wool coats starts at 40 yuan, about 10 yuan higher than in March. However, for ordinary water-washed clothes such as shirts and cotton bedding, the price increase at community laundry shops is not obvious. The starting price of about 10 yuan is lower than chain stores, which is why many consumers choose small shops for laundry.
Rent and laundry detergent price increases raise costs
"We really can't keep going without raising prices. The shop rent is too expensive, laundry detergent, dry cleaning agents, and water prices have increased, and more shops are opening now, so we have no choice," a small laundry shop owner explained in response to customer complaints about price hikes. The owner said that with the sharp rise in Beijing rents this year, landlords have raised shop rents since July, increasing the survival pressure on already low-profit laundry shops.
In addition, the new national standard for concentrated laundry detergent implemented since May this year has made market access standards stricter. The increased production costs directly affect wholesale prices. "Although retail prices on the market haven't changed much, it's hard for us to get the cheap wholesale prices we used to. Previously, the special price for 1 kg concentrated powder was 8.9 yuan, now it is at least 12 yuan," the laundry shop owner told reporters.
"Unilateral price increase" constitutes breach of contract
Reporters learned that although chain laundry shops like "Puland" and "Sujiete" have many stores, many consumers still choose individually operated community laundry shops due to low prices and convenient pick-up and delivery. Some laundry shops also offer stored-value cards for regular customers, allowing discounts when spending a certain amount. However, disputes sometimes arise. Ms. Shi purchased a 1000 yuan stored-value card at a laundry shop named "Xiubijie" with a 35% discount on consumption, but in September she found that a service originally priced at 10 yuan had increased to 14 yuan. Ms. Shi complained to the consumer protection department, and the merchant was ultimately found to have breached the contract and was ordered to refund and compensate her.
Industry insiders remind consumers that community laundry shops are currently in a stage of disorderly competition. If the discounted price offered by a merchant is significantly lower than industry or cost prices but requires a high prepaid amount, consumers should be cautious. Additionally, consumers should try to sign written agreements with merchants. If a breach of contract is found, relevant evidence should be preserved and rights defended in a timely manner.
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