Drycleaners wrecked my coat !

[jridgeback]

Last year decided to save up and buy a Burberry trenchocat, I haver always wanted one and felt I might as well get one. So I bought the coat, and last month when it went in to be dry-cleaned for the first time it came back with the leather buckles (on the belt & cuffs) totally wrecked. All of the leather has rubbed off and been scratched, it never had occured to me that they needed to be removed to be dry-cleaned - surely the drycleaners should have done this. The coat now looks very scruffy and is unwearable, I am toying with the idea of using shoe dye to try and rectify the problem as I just know the drycleaners will not shell out �800 for a new coat. What should I do ?

[Mortartube]

Don't try to rectify the problem yourself as the dry cleaners can claim that you have caused some or all of the damage. Did the ticket or anything else you were given contain any terms and conditions outlining the cleaners responsibilities? If so refer to what they say, if not the cleaners have a duty of care to treat your property in a reasonable manner. I would suggest going to a leather specialist and seeing if the coat can be restored and get a quote for the work, then claim this from the cleaners. The cleaners will undoubtedly fight against a renewal of the entire item but may pay for restoration to it's original standard, with less of a fight.

[jridgeback]

It was a Johnsons Drycleaners whose motto is 'Cleaning with care'. I might write to Burberry and see if you can order replacement buckels - if i could, do you think the dry cleaners would have an obligation to pay for the new buckles ?? Feel free to boycott your local Johnsons Drycleaners !

[Greedyfly]

Surely you are entitled to a new coat or a repair - Citizens advice!

[apricot]

Surely Johnstons will pay for Burberry to replace the buckles and belt? Check your household insurance, it may be that if you make a claim they will make good and claim the cost from Johnstons. That may not be worthwhile if you lose your no claims though. I would definitely advise you to go to CAB (I am Chair of Board of local branch so I would recommend wouldn't I?)