5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Dry Cleaner

Transcription

1 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Dry Cleaner November 2007 Volume 1, Issue 1 Kleenerz is a full service dry cleaner, with locations throughout Bakersfield, and offers free pick up and delivery. Details at or call

2 Table of Contents Mistake #1...1 Mistake #2...2 Mistake #3...3 Mistake #4...4 Mistake #5...5 Conclusion...5

3 Mistake #1 You pick a dry cleaner based only on price The old adage is really true. "You get what you pay for." This is especially true in the dry cleaning business. If you want good dry cleaning you should decide to deal with a dry cleaner because of the overall value you receive, NOT because they are the lowest price. Here's why... Value = Quality + Service + Price It is impossible for any company in any industry to offer the cheapest price, have the highest quality, and provide the best service all at the same time. You can get high quality and super service, but you can't get both and still get the lowest price. Just like in your business, you hire the best people and buy the highest quality products -- consequently, you have to charge more for your services. Total value is all three. Quality, Service, and Price. The three most common problems you will have when you pick a dry cleaner who only offers the lowest price are: Number 1: The first problem is that dirt cheap dry cleaners don't usually stand behind their work if there is a mistake. Sure, other dry cleaners might do your dry cleaning for a little less money, but how will they treat you when there is a mistake? To give the cheapest price, they usually have low-wage, inexperienced employees that have not been adequately trained. They also cut comers by using cheaper chemicals to give you that low price. The end result is that you get what you pay for. And the little bit of money you saved ends up costing you more in the long run! Believe me, there is a little saying we tell our clients: "The good feeling of a cheap price is long gone before the stench of poor quality. 1

4 Number 2: The second problem with a dry cleaner who offers the lowest price is that they tend to also offer the lowest quality. Your clothing represents your image. It directly reflects on your professionalism and the standards of quality you are willing to accept. If you hand out shoddy materials, it rubs off on your company image. Plainly said, "Shoddy or low quality dry cleaning because of cheap price makes you look bad." No amount of savings is worth this. You've worked too hard and spent too much money to build your personal and professional image. Why throw it away for the few pennies you save on dry cleaning? Number 3: And the third reason why picking the cheapest dry cleaner is a problem is that you might get charged extra for things other dry cleaners normally include in their price in the first place. You'll be charged extra for such things as small alterations, cracked buttons, traveling boxes, stronger, quality hangers. Cheap dry cleaners nickel and dime you to death. What seemed like a good price actually ends up costing you more in the end. This is just a tactic cheap dry cleaners use to get you in the door. Mistake #2 You Think All Dry Cleaners Are The Same Every dry cleaner is different. No two dry cleaners are really the same. Every dry cleaner has different equipment and different employees who know how to clean certain specialty items. Every company has a different number of employees, each with different abilities and different speeds and skills to complete your work. Price is important. But price should not be more important than good quality and good service. Dry Cleaning is art and craftsmanship combined. Most people who buy dry cleaning don't truly understand that despite all the technological advances, dry cleaners still use the same techniques as twenty years ago. 2

5 Communication is the key to picking the best cleaner for you. Ask if they clean wedding dress, suede and leather. Ask if they work weekends. Ask any other questions that are unique to your needs. This will help you decide whether they are the best dry cleaner YOU! Most dry cleaners use a nasty, noxious chemical called Perc (perchloroethylene) in order to clean your clothes. If you re not sure yours does, just stand in the shop for a few minutes and inhale if it s a horrid, toxic and mind-numbing smell, that s perc. It doesn t just smell awful. It s pretty bad for you and your health, too. Although it s been the most popular cleaning agent for dry cleaners for the past 50 years, it s classified as a carcinogen by America s Environmental Protection Agency. It s reported by Consumer Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, that one out of 6,700 people wearing freshly drycleaned clothes once a week will develop cancer as a direct result of inhaling the Perc. After you ask your questions, it will become pretty obvious which company you should choose. The company that wants your business will prove to you that they are the best cleaner to do your work. Take your time to decide which dry cleaner you would like to use -- but when you decide, it probably makes sense to be loyal to them. If they are smart, they will reward you for your loyalty. Mistake #3 You Think Having The Right Equipment Is All A Dry Cleaner Needs Many dry cleaners own great equipment, but that doesn't mean they know how to run it. You can have the "latest, greatest technological wonder gizmo", but if you don't know how to operate it properly, you are better off not even turning the thing on. Compare this to using all of the complicated controls on your DVD player. Studies show 3

6 that half the people who own a DVD player don't even know how to set the clock, let alone use its advanced features. The same thing happens in the dry cleaning industry. Many dry cleaning machines have a lot of bells and whistles, but if the dry cleaner has a pressman who doesn't know how to use the new features, you might as well go to a company that has old equipment. Make sure the pressman is trained by the factory or another competent company. This ensures your dry cleaning will get done right the first time. And on time! Mistake #4 You Pick A Dry Cleaner Who Doesn't Guarantee Their Work All reputable dry cleaners guarantee their work automatically. This means that if they make a mistake on your dry cleaning, they will do it over. If they ruin your garment and it s their fault, they will replace it or give you a refund on your cleaning. Unfortunately, there are unethical dry cleaners who won't do this. Instead, they won't make good on your dry cleaning and may not take any responsibility for their mistakes. An unethical dry cleaner may hold your clothes hostage until he receives payment on a poor job. Or they may say they will clean your clothes again, but pin the problem on you and tack on an extra charge. There are dozens of other things a not-so-good cleaners may do to you. The best thing you can do is pick a drycleaner who unconditionally guarantees their work. If it's not cleaned right and it's their mistake, they will clean it again, or offer to refund your money. 4

7 Mistake #5 You Don't Ask For References This is probably the easiest way you can avoid any problems with a dry cleaner. ALL good reputable dry cleaners will eagerly give you references. Ask your cleaner to give you at least three names of people or businesses who they have done business with. And also ask them how long they have worked with this client. This is the easiest way to pick the right cleaner for you! Conclusion We want you to make an informed decision, and that is why we have put this booklet together. Your dry cleaners should be a personal choice, and we respect that. It is also important that to make this choice, you need to have information. Good luck, and please call us if we can provide anything additional. 5

8 Visit our Website to see all of our services and locations at Customer Care Main Facility Fax