Laundrette In Ashleaf Shopping Centre (Won't give back Duvet!!!)

Ah god love ya!

Hi all,

Not sure what to do... Would love to know where to turn to next. Here is a timeline of events:

• 10th Feb we dropped in a single feather duvet for cleaning at the laundrette at bottom of escalator. Was told it would be ready the 14th.
• On the 14th we were told it was not ready and to call back the following week.
• Called back the following week and told it was in the van as there was no room in the Ashleaf to keep it. Phone number was taken so they could call us (we have yet to be called).
• 2nd March, we called back and they didn't have it. We were told it would be delivered to house direct.
• 11th March, called again only to be shown a synthetic duvet, which was not ours. The girl there informed us she wasn't the owner. We talked via phone with a woman (presumably an owner or manager) who told us she was driving and couldn't talk to us.
• We are as yet unaware of where our €85 duvet is. We paid in cash €15 to have it cleaned. Owners gone on holiday to Spain for two weeks now.

Should we go to Gardaí? Can they do anything for us? They say they have our duvet but due to all the excuses above aren't giving it back to us. It's clear they have either lost it or given it to another customer. I have also contacted Ashleaf management but there isn't a whole lot they can do for us really. I know small claims is a possibility but the long wait is off putting, although we will pursue should there be no other remedy.



Would love any advice! Thanks in advance!

Paulw

Gardai won't do anything. It's a civil matter.

You can file a claim with the Small Claims Court, or request that they replace the item within a week.

The Big Red Button

Small Claims Court, if anything ... How on earth you might consider it a matter for the Gardai is absolutely beyond me!

Ah god love ya!

Fluffy Bunny Rabid wrote: »

Small Claims Court, if anything ... How on earth you might consider it a matter for the Gardai is absolutely beyond me!

Because they have our property over a month and despite numerous requests for its return, they refuse (even though they have it 'in their possession').

jimmycrackcorm

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

Because they have our property over a month and despite numerous requests for its return, they refuse (even though they have it 'in their possession').

But you gave the duvet to them. They didn't steal it from you hence it's a civil matter

username123

Stand outside their place of business handing out leaflets detailing the situation above and wearing a placard stating they refuse to return your property to you.

Truman Burbank

Sounds like a cover up

ABajaninCork

I think they've lost it. Why it's taken all this time to admit it, I have no idea.

I would write a registered letter to the owner. Tell them the facts, enclose a copy of the ticket (DO NOT give them the original!), and tell them to either produce your property within a week, replace the quilt if lost or face small claims action.

Ah god love ya!

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

But you gave the duvet to them. They didn't steal it from you hence it's a civil matter

And they promised its return a month ago and haven't given it back despite being asked to give it back. They won't admit it's lost and keep fobbing us off. At least the Gardaí could have some influence. In UK they have trading standards... Pity we have nothing similar! Dodgy businesses, like this laundrette seem to do as they please...

Ah god love ya!

I think this is what we're going to try:

• Go to Gardaí and ask them to help (or at least get admission from the laundrette that they have lost our property).
• Visit their other outlet in AYLESBURY Shopping Centre, Tallaght.
• Lastly, lodge small claims proceedings.

Further question:
If we have to go as far as small claims can we claim for cost of applying for small claims? Can we ask for expenses (petrol, time, hassle)?


Thanks for responses so far!

Jesus Shaves

It's nothing to do with the gardai

Duberlin Chick

The gardai deal with Criminal law not duvets. I sympathise with your situation and can see you're being fobbed off but it's not a criminal matter

ABajaninCork

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

I think this is what we're going to try:

• Go to Gardaí and ask them to help (or at least get admission from the laundrette that they have lost our property).
• Visit their other outlet in AYLESBURY Shopping Centre, Tallaght.
• Lastly, lodge small claims proceedings.

Why?? You've already been told it's a civil matter...
Why are you going to their other outlet? From your OP that isn't the place you left the quilt. Waste of time.
You've got the ticket (I presume). But you haven't got the item. That would indicate it was in the store's possession at some point.

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

Further question:
If we have to go as far as small claims can we claim for cost of applying for small claims? Can we ask for expenses (petrol, time, hassle)?

Thanks for responses so far!

Yes, AFAIK, you can ask for costs.

username123

Whats the point of going to the Guards? Theyll laugh at you. Even when you report an actual crime they do nothing.

I dont get the point about visiting the other branch in Aylesbury shopping centre? Is it that you think they might have it?

Youd be better off sending them a registered letter telling them they have 1 week to produce your duvet, a full refund and compensation for your duvet or you'll be lodging small claims.

ABajaninCork

username123 wrote: »

Whats the point of going to the Guards? Theyll laugh at you. Even when you report an actual crime they do nothing.

I dont get the point about visiting the other branch in Aylesbury shopping centre? Is it that you think they might have it?

Youd be better off sending them a registered letter telling them they have 1 week to produce your duvet, a full refund and compensation for your duvet or you'll be lodging small claims.

Which is what I said here...:D

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I think they've lost it. Why it's taken all this time to admit it, I have no idea.

I would write a registered letter to the owner. Tell them the facts, enclose a copy of the ticket (DO NOT give them the original!), and tell them to either produce your property within a week, replace the quilt if lost or face small claims action.

username123

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Which is what I said here...:D

Sorry AB - missed that.

Yeah, do what ^^ this poster said.

ABajaninCork

Great minds and all that!

Ah god love ya!

username123 wrote: »

Whats the point of going to the Guards? Theyll laugh at you. Even when you report an actual crime they do nothing.

I have thick skin. They can laugh. I'll still be inquiring why a business can take my property, charge me for a service and not return it nor give compensation. Is that the sort of sh1thole you want to live in? So, 'cause a couple of guards laugh at you you're willing to drop the principle and allow others get screwed over too?

I dont get the point about visiting the other branch in Aylesbury shopping centre? Is it that you think they might have it?

May bump into somebody connected to owner and get some answers. We were told by employee in Ashleaf that Aylesbury is the HQ for this <SNIP>.

Youd be better off sending them a registered letter telling them they have 1 week to produce your duvet, a full refund and compensation for your duvet or you'll be lodging small claims.

Thank you for that advice. If we end up having to go this route I will send registered letter.

Duberlin Chick

Let us know how u get on in the station.

username123

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

I have thick skin. They can laugh. I'll still be inquiring why a business can take my property, charge me for a service and not return it or give compensation. Is that the sort of sh1thole you want to live in? So, 'cause a couple of guards laugh at you you're willing to drop the principle and allow others get screwed over too?

Well theyll laugh because its a civil matter and nothing to do with them - but sure go ahead, I dont know if thick skin is the word or just general "fingers in ears NA NA NA NA NA NA" because a number of people here have told you the same thing but you still want to go to the Guards.

Best of luck getting your duvet back, Ive lost interest once you started using profanity - Id advise you not to try and deal with the business with that attitude.

Ah god love ya!

username123 wrote: »

Well theyll laugh because its a civil matter and nothing to do with them - but sure go ahead, I dont know if thick skin is the word or just general "fingers in ears NA NA NA NA NA NA" because a number of people here have told you the same thing but you still want to go to the Guards.

Best of luck getting your duvet back, Ive lost interest once you started using profanity - Id advise you not to try and deal with the business with that attitude.

Thank you for advice. Sorry that you seem offended by my opinion on the matter.

d9oiu2wk07blr5

OP your best bet is to write a registered letter to the owner/directors of the business/company telling them that if the situation is not remedied within five working days (by the return of your duvet or the cost of replacement whatever the purchase cost is) that you'll have no hestitation in lodging proceedings against them. Do you know the name of the business/company? Check to see if the company/business is registered on the Company Registrations Office Website. You can only take smalls claims proceedings against a company/business. Btw, this is a civil matter. It's not an issue for the Gardai. Hope you get it sorted.

http://www.cro.ie/search/CompanySearch.aspx

Ah god love ya!

Mauricio Thankful Looter wrote: »

OP your best bet is to write a registered letter to the owner/directors of the business/company telling them that if the situation is not remedied within five working days (by the return of your duvet or the cost of replacement whatever the purchase cost is) that you'll have no hestitation in lodging proceedings against them. Do you know the name of the business/company? Check to see if the company/business is registered on the Company Registrations Office Website. You can only take smalls claims proceedings against a company/business. Btw, this is a civil matter. It's not an issue for the Gardai. Hope you get it sorted.

http://www.cro.ie/search/CompanySearch.aspx

There's no name on the outlet. I'll have to inquire further to get that. Thank you.

Paulw

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

Further question:
If we have to go as far as small claims can we claim for cost of applying for small claims? Can we ask for expenses (petrol, time, hassle)?

Don't waste your time and don't waste the time of the Gardai. They can't help in a civil matter like this. They will not, in any way, get involved nor give advice.

No, small claims court doesn't deal with expenses. You can only claim for the cost of replacement of the item. Nothing else. Look up the small claims court website for more info.

http://www.courts.ie/courts.ie/library3.nsf/pagecurrentweblookuptopnav/small%20claims%20procedure

wmpdd3

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/courts_system/small_claims_court.html

The best you will get from the small claims court is your €15 back, ie the money you paid for the service. You can't claim for costs or even the cost of the duvet.

You are claiming back you €15 for the service you bought under the Sales of Goods and Services act 1980.

Write to the company and give then 10 days to give back the duvet you describe. They should have insurance for these types of situation.

PS, I wouldnt name the company in question on a public forum....

Ah god love ya!

wmpdd3 wrote: »

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/courts_system/small_claims_court.html

The best you will get from the small claims court is your €15 back, ie the money you paid for the service. You can't claim for costs or even the cost of the duvet.

You are claiming back you €15 for the service you bought under the Sales of Goods and Services act 1980.

Write to the company and give then 10 days to give back the duvet you describe. They should have insurance for these types of situation.

PS, I wouldnt name the company in question on a public forum....

I'm pretty sure that can't be correct. How can you destroy/lose/give away somebody's property and be liable for purely the cost of the service provided?

I think a call to National Consumer Agency is in order...

Cabaal

Please don't waste Gardai time on something as silly as this civil matter,

This is a consumer issue and is not a criminal matter as you gave the item to the shop, in all honesty when you read about Gardai stations being closed is this why you think people are upset? That they can't get the Gardai to deal with tiny civil matters like this?

Whilst you may not like the information you've been provided regarding small claims etc, it is none the less correct information and once again the Gardai won't get involved in something like this. They have far more important issues to deal with outside of a consumer issue.

GT_TDI_150

To all those saying its a civil matter and nothing to do with the Garda,
I wonder if your position would be the same when you replace the duvet with 50k worth of a car dropped of with a mechanic for a service and not found/returned a month on?!

Sunnyisland

Don't see nothing wrong with having a chat with the Garda, Even though it is a civil matter a phone call from the gardai to the shop/owners can sometimes do wonders.

Cabaal

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

To all those saying its a civil matter and nothing to do with the Garda,
I wonder if your position would be the same when you replace the duvet with 50k worth of a car dropped of with a mechanic for a service and not found/returned a month on?!

Or perhaps a builder paid 15k and hasn't done the 15k worth of work and has done a runner.

Its still a civil matter and if you want to take examples from the UK it would come under the remit of trading standards and county court.....not the police.

Such issues do not come under the remit of the Gardai in Ireland as much as people might like them to, once again lets also put this issue back into perspective....its a duvet.

Ah god love ya!

Cabaal wrote: »

Or perhaps a builder paid 15k and hasn't done the 15k worth of work and has done a runner.

Its still a civil matter and if you want to take examples from the UK it would come under the remit of trading standards and county court.....not the police.

Such issues do not come under the remit of the Gardai in Ireland as much as people might like them to, once again lets also put this issue back into perspective....its a duvet.

But there's somebody you can report to that has power to stop the trader trading if there's continued dodgy trading.

There's a big vacuum between dealing with a trader and going to court in my opinion.

I know going to Gardai is clinging to threads but on the face of it, it is criminal. They claim to have our property and aren't giving it back...

Paulw

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

But there's somebody you can report to that has power to stop the trader trading if there's continued dodgy trading.

There's a big vacuum between dealing with a trader and going to court in my opinion.

I know going to Gardai is clinging to threads but on the face of it, it is criminal. They claim to have our property and aren't giving it back...

Sorry, it is not criminal. Not in any definition of law in Ireland.

It is purely a civil matter. That's what the courts are there for, and specifically what the small claims court is designed to do.

If you do go to the Gardai, they will very quickly tell you there is nothing they can do, and at best, they will advise you to contact the small claims court, but more than likely they will simply state that there is nothing they can do and that is that.

dudara

Write the registered letter, as advised by many posters. It's time to play hard ball with them.

seamus

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

I know going to Gardai is clinging to threads but on the face of it, it is criminal. They claim to have our property and aren't giving it back...

It's not criminal unless you can prove that the company are in possession of your duvet and have no intention of giving it back to you.

You know that they have (or had) the duvet and intended on returning it to you, but now can't for whatever reason. That's not a criminal issue. Theft only occurs where something is taken with the intention of withholding it from the rightful owner.

Going to the Gardai will be an absolute waste of everyone's time. Registered letter is the way to go.

emeldc

I'm in the dry cleaning business. For all you know your duvet is still probably in the shop. They have just got their numbers mixed up and can't rectify it at the moment. After all most duvets look the same, it's an easy mistake. Even if your duvet was collected by someone else they might not realise it until they go to use it at which point they will probably bring it back. Let's face it, would you want to use somebody else's duvet, I don't think I would. Having said all that the shop should have admitted that there was a problem of some sort. They are only digging a bigger hole for themselves by avoiding it.
Go to the shop, stay calm and ask to speak to someone in charge.
Tell them you want your duvet back.
Give them another two weeks to try and locate it. This way at least you are showing that you are prepared to be fair about it.
Tell them that you expect to be reimbursed for the duvet if it hasn't turned up after the two weeks.
Lastly, and not wanting to trivialise you problem, it's only an €85 duvet, a used duvet, one that needed cleaning. It's highly unlikely that the shop wont pay up. It's not going to put them out of business. All this talk of the Gardaí and the small claims court, registered letters, Jebus ..............

MMAGirl

OP, i had a similar issue last year.
Left a dress in to a shop to be altered.
When I went to collect it they kept giving me the run around for weeks just like you have been given.
Eventually I called into the garda station and a gard phoned them and they admitted to him that they had lost it and were going to send me a cheque for the value.
A month later and still no sign of the cheque. I went into the same gard again and he phoned them again.
I had a cheque within the week.

BostonB

The fact that the Garda did that doesn't mean it was the correct procedure.

Maybe ask MING about it.

MMAGirl

BostonB wrote: »

The fact that the Garda did that doesn't mean it was the correct procedure.

Maybe ask MING about it.

There was no procedure that I know off.
I simply went into the station and needed help, and a nice gard helped me out.
I couldnt fault them.

monkeypants

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

Owners gone on holiday to Spain for two weeks now.

Maybe they've just taken a duvet day.

Ah god love ya!

Thought I would update you all.

Visited the laundrette again today. Their employee told us to take it to small claims. She was useless and had no problem shrugging it off as a nothing. It's a family run business. The son of the owners turned up today. Completely blanked us. While there a lady was to leave a coat in. We told her our issue and she took her business elsewhere.

We went up to personally talk with Ashleaf Shopping Centre management and informed them of the issue.

Whatever happened (suspect it was talking to shopping centre management) we ended up being called by the owner (father) who finally admitted something was amiss. He said he would sort it when he's back from his holidays.

Just shows you how bad customer service can have things escalate out of proportion. Although, it was just €85 the idea of paying somebody to do a service that ends with not receiving your item back and being treated like scum could irritate the most patient of saints.

I'll let you know if the owner keeps his promise...

Ah god love ya!

MMAGirl wrote: »

OP, i had a similar issue last year.
Left a dress in to a shop to be altered.
When I went to collect it they kept giving me the run around for weeks just like you have been given.
Eventually I called into the garda station and a gard phoned them and they admitted to him that they had lost it and were going to send me a cheque for the value.
A month later and still no sign of the cheque. I went into the same gard again and he phoned them again.
I had a cheque within the week.

I don't know why there isn't a person in local government who could keep reports of dodgy business practices and scams that would have the power to shut a business down or hold it accountable at least (without having to go to court and wait months). The process here is very bureaucratic and favours scumbags in business I'm afraid.

I'm glad the Gardaí helped you out. I would expect nothing less. People here would make you believe asking them for directions is a waste of their time and they shouldn't do that either...

ABajaninCork

That's great to hear, but I would keep my foot on the owner's throat so's to speak. If it took them this long to finally admit their mistake and given the attitude shown by their employee, I certainly wouldn't trust them now.

If the owner was that interested, then why didn't he authorise someone in the shop to sort out the problem? Why are you waiting until he gets back. He might be hoping you'll lose interest by then.

I'd press on with the registered letter, referring to the conversation you had and dropping his employee right in it!

wmpdd3

It would be no harm to put what you have been told into writing.

Cabaal

Ah god love ya! wrote: »

The process here is very bureaucratic and favours scumbags in business I'm afraid.

To be honest, I'm not aware of any country where the Police deal with consumer issues. Of course you are free to point one out,

Any country's I'm aware of have separate organizations to deal with consumer issues, this allows the Police to deal with real issues like murders or rape.

Anyway, glad to hear you had some progress. But given they can just as easily tell you go to small claims court right now I'd push for a resolution now without this waiting lark like they are suggesting.

If the son or other staff member's can't find the item now I'd fail to see what the father can do upon his return. Other then issue some sort of goodwill gesture, this could be done without waiting for his return.

Ah god love ya!

Cabaal wrote: »

To be honest, I'm not aware of any country where the Police deal with consumer issues. Of course you are free to point one out,

Any country's I'm aware of have separate organizations to deal with consumer issues, this allows the Police to deal with real issues like murders or rape.

Anyway, glad to hear you had some progress. But given they can just as easily tell you go to small claims court right now I'd push for a resolution now without this waiting lark like they are suggesting.

If the son or other staff member's can't find the item now I'd fail to see what the father can do upon his return. Other then issue some sort of goodwill gesture, this could be done without waiting for his return.

I suppose that's the point of the thread really. I wanted to know if there was anybody else I could turn to without having to go to Gardaí or court service. There's a big vacuum in consumer protection here. Unless it's obviously criminal or there's a case for reckless trading or breach of company law the Gardaí don't have remit.

I can see what you're saying but if you were in our shoes earlier you would just be relieved that anybody connected to this outfit have finally had some decency to try help sort it.

No matter if we have to wait or not, we will get what we are due from them! I can guarantee you that.

Ceraque

I'd be interested to hear if this was resolved OP. Very short version of events - my mother bought an outfit for my brothers wedding on 22nd March this year and wore it to the wedding on 19th April. She put it in for dry cleaning last Monday 22nd and got the dress back on Friday. Her black and Ivory Luis Civit dress is now black and cream with some salmon coloured watermarks and looking like a filthy rag.

The girl at the desk woudn't give owners contact details but said they use an agent somewhere in Aylesbury but she didn't know the name of the business. Only gave my mother a mobile number for him. My mother rang him and he was borderline abusive to her. He claimed to be just the driver, wouldn't say where his shop was or the name of it, gave her a 'well you would say that' response when she told him how much the dress cost. She went up to him with the dress (only because I found this thread and where he worked from in it) but in the meantime I went back down to the Ashleaf and extracted the owners number from the girl on the desk.

The girl actually handed me a flyer with owners number printed on it so quite why my mother couldn't have got same is beyond me. I rang the number and spoke to the owners daughter who is on hols for two weeks and she told me to get the dress and bring it back down to the Ashleaf. When I went up to Aylesbury SC to the launderette the guy my mother spoke to was there chewing on a baguette and between bites asked me to jog his memory re the dress!!! Just to let me know how insignificant this all was to him. I took the dress home, photographed all the damage and have now left it back down to the Ashleaf for the owners attention when she returns.

Given the shifty behaviour of all concerned I'm extremely worried and my mother is absolutely distraught. She had the dress exacdtly one month and its ruined. Any advice would be appreciated.

wmpdd3

Write to the cleaners, stating that your contract is with them, as you paid them. Where the work was done is not your problem. Give them 14 days to 'make things right'.

emo72

the dry cleaning business must be awesome. the owners sure seem to be going on a lot of holidays.

Ceraque

Well if they can afford so many holidays it will be nothing to them to give my mother the price of her outfit. I wont go away until they do!

emeldc

Two-colour garments like black and white can be tricky enough in the wrong hands. The colours have a tendency to 'run' although once the cleaner is aware of this, the cleaning time and cycle can be adjusted to cope with any potential problems. The garment may also have to be cleaned on it's own so as not to contaminate other garments and so gives rise to the term 'special care'. If the colours ran in the cleaning it is quite possible that the damage can be rectified. However if the cleaner tried to rectify it by washing or by some other means then it might not be possible. My advice would be to get your dress back and wait for the owner to return from holidays. I feel here is little point in leaving it at the shop for maybe someone else to 'have a go' at putting it right. If they knew what to do they would have done it in the first instance. Feel free to contact me by PM if you need any more information. By the way I'm in the business.

Ceraque

I'm afraid to take it home in case they said we did something to it in the meantime. From our experience so far we don't know what sort of a shower we're dealing with. I really would like some more info and could I send you a couple of pics of it to look at or post them here? I can't pm as have only 3 posts so maybe I could reply to you if you sent me one.

I wrote an email to the shop we bought it in last night, outlining what had happened and asking if they had had any other problems with same garment or with manufacturer. Also asking could the dress be replaced as a seperate instead of the whole outfit being ruined.