Dutch Maid Cleaners

Review: On my first visit to this business, I dropped off two items for dry-cleaning and two for laundering. On pickup, I was told it would be $45, which I found to be extremely overpriced, so the cashier said she would get her mother, who appparently is the manager and/or owner. The woman said it was expensive because the item laundered was large. I said no, it's a little, lightweight throw-type of blanket which I've washed myself a number of times with no problem. We went back and forth a few times, with her saying she had to use a big washer because of the other item -- literally a lightweight cotton dishtowel, certainly not creating a heavy load. This went on for a while, after which I said I would not be back, I would post my experience, and I would tell my coworkers. She said oh, you're so mean. I said no, I'm just really unhappy, this is a completely unfair price. She said over and over "you're mean." She offered $5 off. I had $42 with me, not $45, so that's what I paid; she offered to charge $40 and I paid $42. As I walked away, she said again, you're mean... and then she yelled, "you [redacted]."So first, I was waaaaay overcharged; second, when I got my items home, I found the white blanket was dirtier, with little black specks of ? maybe some kind of seeds or something stuck all over it plus a stain remained on a dress, so I had substandard service; and third, I was verbally accosted. I expressed my complaint clearly, but I never raised my voice, and I never was disrespectful, and I feel something should be done about it. Thank you.Desired Settlement: I would like, mostly, my experience posted for others to be forewarned, and I feel a partial refund is fair. If there is a reprimand process available via the Revdex.com, I think that is also in order for the manager's abusive treatment.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

The response is inaccurate in numerous ways. I have attached photos of the dress with the stain remaining on it, and a picture of the stain itself. This is a lightweight summer dress, and the drycleaning price should be in accordance with that, not to mention it should be returned withOUT stains after the cleaning process. While it is true I didn't ask for the prices in advance, it's because I've used drycleaners in many states over my 30 adult years and never was charged anything outside of a normal expected price as I was here.

The picture of the dishcloth shows how small it is and that it is even not completely clean, having some white mark on the corner which wasn't present when I dropped it off.

There are two close-up photos of the blanket -- "blanket" being somewhat of a misnomer as this is a very lightweight throw, maybe 2 feet by 3 feet, not a blanket that is used as bed linens to cover an entire bed. The small black specks are scattered throughout the entire fabric.

In response to the letter, there were many inaccuracies and exaggerations listed. For example, I don't even own a dog; certainly there was no urine stain and/or stench on this item.

Yes, absolutely I said I work at the courthouse, and just as absolutely not with the ugly meaning behind it that the writer has accused. That was early on when I was trying to explain I am a professional person, not someone randomly throwing undeserved complaints out there, I'm a new neighbor in the neighborhood, having moved close to my job at the courthouse and, yes, I would tell my coworkers of my unpleasant and disappointing experience. I have done that, and others have said they have had similar problems here; likewise, my [redacted] comment cites a previous response also complaining of the same problems -- which that comment supporting my view, curiously, has now been deleted. Absolutely I said the price was ridiculous, and I maintain the same feeling as to that. There is no question that I was firm, resolute, but never raised my voice, never was discourteous, and never slammed the money down on their desk.

The thing that bothers me the most of the response letter is the representation that the owner did not speak English. We had a lengthy discussion, and she spoke unhesitatingly throughout with no assistance from her daughter; in fact, she never even glanced at her daughter for help. The daughter's only words were twice saying, "Mom, Mom..." in a tone of "calm down." I, myself, am a language student, and I know from experience that speaking in a second language is difficult until you are fluent. After three years of study I still am very slow in speaking. The owner here spoke quickly, even interrupting me, which shows she clearly understood what I was saying even as I was finishing my thought with no misunderstanding or questioning as to what I was saying. And, yes, it was crystal clear that what she yelled as I left was "[redacted]." (Why in the world would they yell "expensive" at me?) For her now to try to represent herself as someone weak on English so as to suggest she has been taken advantage of is disturbing.

Thank you again for your attention to this matter.

Regards,

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

I appreciate the offer to re-clean the items, but that is not necessary since I have already had them cleaned elsewhere. The apology offered is not for the unprofessional behavior but for my "misunderstanding" the business owner, which I maintain I did not misunderstand. The explanation of a three-syllable [redacted] word -- when no [redacted] had been spoken throughout the incident -- simply doesn't make sense as being what I heard, the one-syllable "[redacted]!" said with rancor. As I said in an earlier response, if she was saying that [redacted] word to her daughter about my expensive attitude (?) then it would have been spoken in a normal speaking tone, directed to her daughter next to her, not something I heard, clearly, when I was already away from the store and halfway across the street approaching my car.

I note that this response is written by the owner, in English.

I bear no personal ill will to this business owner and do not wish to belabor this process further. The incident happened as I described and was furthered by the business owner's previous responses, so I cannot say I consider it satisfactorily resolved. I do, however, appreciate being heard on this and feel it has now been pursued to its end., and I will not post any new complaints about the business online.

Regards,