Dry-cleaning: A Poll

In My Humble Opinion
1

I recently discovered a dry-cleaner located about a block away from my apartment. It’s a pretty small place under an apartment building, with an enormous plant in the corner and vines creeping along the ceiling like Audrey II and one of those brass ducks-flying-in-formation sculpture things on the wall. I thought what the heck, I’ll take some clothes in. I rarely go to the dry cleaner because it’s expensive, and I wear shirts and things under my sweaters. But some articles of clothing need a good old clean.

I took in three silk knit sweaters and a long-sleeve velvet top. I got my pink pick-up slip, and when I looked at the total I would have done a spit-take had I been drinking anything. The total? TEN DOLLARS! For four items. I picked up the clothes Monday, and they look great. And the guy who runs the place even got up from behind the desk and opened the door for me.

So have I completely lucked out? How much would those articles cost at your local dry-cleaner? Should I suspect some nefarious goings-on that would enable him to charge me such a paltry sum? I did notice he put all my items in one plastic bag, which I don’t mind and I imagine may cut down on costs some, in addition to perhaps being a little more environmentally friendly.

I know it’s a pretty ridiculous thing to get excited about, but hey, when it’s cloudy and grey outside it’s the little things that get me through the day.

2

That’s awesome! I’d be excited, too. My dry cleaner charges me $4.95 to LAUNDER, yes LAUNDER, my shirts. What a nightmare.

3

Is this a new place? He may be trying to generate a client base and goodwill so that when he needs to raise prices the effect won’t be so bad.

4

FWIW, to get my uniform pressed (top and bottom) costs me around 5 or 6 bucks.

5

plnnr: I’m pretty sure the place has been around for a while, at least the three years or so I’ve been living at this apartment. Do you think they would have already raised prices within that period of time? But the next time I go there (which will be soon, since yesterday I spilled yogurt on the sleeve of one of the sweaters I had cleaned :rolleyes: ) I’ll ask.

6

Some dry cleaners in the U.S. advertise for under $2.00 each item. Sounds like you you found a great place, Judith.

7

I’d say you, like me, lucked out on a dry cleaner’s Judith. The one I use is right on my way to and from work, inexpensive and does a great job. Sounds a lot like your place to me. Plus, they gave me this black nylon laundry bag that has a tag with my name on it. I just put my dry cleaning in the bag, drop it off at the counter on my way to work, then go by on my way home and get freshly dry cleaned clothes.

8

I have yet to take advantage of this deal because I don’t own enough cloths yet… but… at work we have a service that will pick your cloths up on friday and dry-clean them for $3 per item, and deliver them back to you on the following friday…

very good deal for us lazy folk out there…

but that would mean that I need to have 2 weeks worth of cloths… and I only have 5 pairs of work pants… and I only like three of them…

once I have a few hundred dollars to blow, I will buy some more cloths so I can take advantage of this service… does that make sence? lol…

9

The dry cleaner we go to does a good job and charges a pre-paid fee of $3.50 per uniform (top and bottom), which is a great deal better than the $10.95 charged by dry cleaners closest to me. The customer service isn’t great though, most of the employees look and act like they’re just grunting through a day job so they’ll have something to tell their parole officer.

10

Good lord. I know I live in a high-cost-of-lving ares, but my dry cleaner hits me for 6.95 for each silk sweater. I’ve never had the occasion to have anything velvet washed, but I would imagine it would be in the same range. You have lucked the heck out.

11

er, ares means area. I do not live inside of the god of war. Also, lving means living.
Note to self: think before posting.

12

I’ve had such bad experiences with dry cleaners in my area that now I use Dryell. I’ve been using it for several years and haven’t had a problem with it at all.

13

I haven’t dry cleaned since the local retard ( who came highly recommended) shrank my best ( and really only) suit. that fit me properly that I loved.

He claimed that I gained too much weight since the last time that I wore it (about three days) I was wearing bike shorts and pulled on the pants and said, " Not only did I gain thirty pounds in three days, I grew four inches in height and arms."

I have be scarred for life.

14

Ebonics translation: I have **been ** scarred for life.

15

Back in the bad ol’ days when I lived with my folks I was responsible for, among other things, handling my father’s dry cleaning. Our local place was very friendly and used to do batches of 30+ (he made good use of the Syms) dress shirts for ~$50.

ahhh memories… they’re like a bad boot sector that just won’t be deleted.