My Carven dress came back from cleaners with a hole

catgirl

My beautiful jersey Carven dress had a stain and brought it to the cleaners. Picked it up Wednesday and when I hung it today, there is a big hole where the stain was! What can I do?

10 years ago

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

Staysfit

Veteran

So sorry, that's annoying! I would bring it back to the cleaners and talk with them! Maybe they will reimburse you somehow, if not for the the dress, than at least for some cleaning, which is also expensive over time.

10 years ago

retailgirl

Veteran

Take it back to them. They obviously rubbed so hard to get rid of the stain that they made a hole. They will probably deny it or try to give you a pittance, but stand your ground. Cleaners have insurance for such things!

10 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I had this happen...not a real hole but a really fuzzed place on a cashmere wrap. I took it back and they said they would see what they could do about it. Yeah, right, they just sweater shaved it. But I let it go because it didn't look that bad...better than if I had sweater shaved it anyway...and the rest of the wrap was a little fuzzy from wear too.

A hole is a totally different issue. No way to fix that and obviously their fault for not even noticing they were making one. They should have stopped and at least contacted you about how to proceed....given you the option to declare the stain less bad than a hole. I've had that happen...they will tell me they can't do any more without risking damage. That's what they should have done. Take it back along with your receipt for the dress and ask for reimbursement!

10 years ago

Anonymous

Nooooooooo! I can offer nothing but sympathy, I'm afraid. I'm guessing that even if you get compensation, the dress can't be replaced. If your dry cleaner attaches tags, leave them on. That way when you go back with the damage, it's clear you haven't worn this since you picked it up.

Maybe Firecracker, Diane or one of our superstar stitchery artists can offer advice on fixing. I know that it's sometimes possible to get a re weave on woven fabrics; not sure on jersey. But sadly re weaving is a dying art, so few people actually do it properly; many just cut out a piece of fabric from a hem or non obvious place and patch the item (which can work if the hole isn't front and center) and call that 'reweaving.' I've had many moth holes in treasured items and am fortunate to have a friend who owns a high end dry cleaning business in DC, so he fixes me up -- even though I no longer live there.

10 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Aww I'm so sorry. I love that dress on you.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, no!! That is awful. Such a gorgeous dress...

I am definitely in favour of talking with them. They ought to reiumburse you. Not that it would get you your dress back. But you deserve something for this!

10 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

This is NOT good and did they not point it out to you when you picked it up? I suggest you firmly state your wants (refund, replacement costs, can they repair the dress in some fashion with an applique?) Once, I thought my favorite cashmere cardigan was lost and the dry cleaner's parking lot, I called Bloomingdales and ordered a second one. My original sweater was found and I returned the new one. Can you find another one?

10 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

The others have given you good advice...Just wanted to say, I am so sorry ..that dress was very FAB...By all means talk to them...Vicki's point about having a plan before you approach them is excellent...They might have libility insurance and could reimburse you...Best...

10 years ago

deb

Veteran

Oh no, that is too bad.

10 years ago

Column

Veteran

Hi all,
I'm new to the forum. I agree that your item should be replaced--isn't that why companies have insurance?

Do any members have experience with "at-home" dry-cleaning products such as Dryel? I avoid dry-clean-only clothes (alas, 3.1 Phillip Lim culottes) because I'm sensitive to the perchloroethylene.

We do not have "green clean" dry cleaners in our area.

Thanks!
Bettina

10 years ago

Kirstjen

Veteran

We have a place in Chicago which might be able to help you. It has an excellent reputation and makes repairs to clothing from across the US. https://www.withoutatrace.com/

Maybe you could contact them. Or maybe you have something similar where you live.

10 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Una - so sorry. You know how I admire that dress!! Where was the stain/hole? Anywhere near the ruching that you could create a seam without too much evidence? I could not find the same dress on quick google, but I did see this on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CA.....1?pt=LH_De... Not sure what size you are but it looked bodycon so I thought this might be interesting. Although it doesn't make up for anything. See what you can get out of them and if all else fails the BBB is really mean to irresponsible dry cleaners (they lost a down jacket in winter and would not reimburse, my dry cleaner begged me to make them go away). It won't make up for the loss but it will give you some kind of closure. You could also bring it to a tailor for a confab. Good luck, hoping something can be done. If it's any consolation our old dry cleaner scorched the satin lapels on my husbands tux, nothing to be done, a total loss. I know it's just "stuff" but it's so upsetting. But it happens to all of us. Hugs!!

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10 years ago

Carole

Veteran

That's terrible:( I'm wondering how big the hole is and where it's located...perhaps a patch job with matching thread could work?

10 years ago

retailgirl

Veteran

I have to agree with Kirstjen. I had a glen plaid wool jacket that I loved that had a small moth hole...I sent it to Without a Trace and they fixed it for about $40 or $50; can't remember.
They did a fabulous job. It is a dying art.

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

That is shocking. Bring it back and shame them for not at least pointing out the damage or noticing it. And scour ebay!

10 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

That's awful. I suspect they'll say there's some big sign on their premises that says they assume no risk. I'm not optimistic in these kinds of situations. I hope I'm wrong, though.
Now, if I had put a hole in my own garment, I might try to get creative and use it as a "design opportunity." Applique, as Vickie suggested, is a possibility, or adding a band or some kind of color-blocking, wearing a vest, jacket, or belt to cover the hole, etc. But I don't like the idea of someone else giving me such a "design opportunity"--I make enough of them myself, thank you very much.

10 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Oh no! :(. I hope they come good for it... not that that helps get your dress back, but still. And then I hope you can figure out a way to save it.

10 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Thank you all for the moral support. I've been going to this place for a while... so I marched in, chin up, and told them the story. They are sending the dress to the main office in another part of town to see what can be done as far as restoration or reimbursement. Fingers crossed. I'm thinking if it can't be fixed, maybe make it into a skirt? The hole is on the upper chest...

10 years ago