What is the name of your state? VA
The local dry cleaners damaged two of my items (one faded the other came back with a chemical stain). They denied responsibility but gave me a nominal store credit.
I brought a third item, which then also came back faded and turned into a different color. The manager refused to examine the item and said I was out of luck. I'n dealing with this through BBB and the local county consumer protection office, but the store refuses to mediate through these offices.
What are my options in small claims court? I want a cash-out of the store credit and modest cash reimbursement of the third item? How do I prove that this damage was their fault (I didn't take pictures but I did ask the clerk to confirm that the items were not damage before I brought the in, but I don't have anything in writing). Do I have any basis of defense if it is just my word against theirs?
Also, do I have a claim against them for abusive customer service, e.g. refusing to examine the item, stating erroneous facts (e.g. they are saying that they have signs that say that they are not responsible for damage, but there are no such signs in the store or on the receipt), and screaming at me in the store.
And the manager refuses to give me his full name or the name of the store owner. How can I get this contact info?
Is there a way to get the operational practices of this store reviewed by a local or state office? I'm familiar with dry cleaning operations and I know that this kind of damage is caused by reusing chemicals beyond the regulated number of cycles.
Lastly, can anyone refer me to info on consumer protection law specific to this kind of service in VA? The store's defense is "caveat emptor," which I know has been addressed to protect the consumer in other fields like retail auto sales.
Thanks.
The local dry cleaners damaged two of my items (one faded the other came back with a chemical stain). They denied responsibility but gave me a nominal store credit.
I brought a third item, which then also came back faded and turned into a different color. The manager refused to examine the item and said I was out of luck. I'n dealing with this through BBB and the local county consumer protection office, but the store refuses to mediate through these offices.
What are my options in small claims court? I want a cash-out of the store credit and modest cash reimbursement of the third item? How do I prove that this damage was their fault (I didn't take pictures but I did ask the clerk to confirm that the items were not damage before I brought the in, but I don't have anything in writing). Do I have any basis of defense if it is just my word against theirs?
Also, do I have a claim against them for abusive customer service, e.g. refusing to examine the item, stating erroneous facts (e.g. they are saying that they have signs that say that they are not responsible for damage, but there are no such signs in the store or on the receipt), and screaming at me in the store.
And the manager refuses to give me his full name or the name of the store owner. How can I get this contact info?
Is there a way to get the operational practices of this store reviewed by a local or state office? I'm familiar with dry cleaning operations and I know that this kind of damage is caused by reusing chemicals beyond the regulated number of cycles.
Lastly, can anyone refer me to info on consumer protection law specific to this kind of service in VA? The store's defense is "caveat emptor," which I know has been addressed to protect the consumer in other fields like retail auto sales.
Thanks.
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