Read OTBKB’s new advice column:
DEAR LISTEN:
Hi there. Do you post complaints on the website? I have just had a horror with a certain Seventh Avenue dry cleaner about a delivery issue. They hung up on me twice and refused to work with me to find my clothes when they were not delivered, even though my building had it on camera.
I would like to let others know about them and also get a recommendation for a good Park Slope dry cleaner. Not sure that this is appropriate for your site? Thanks!
Sincerely,
I Hate a Certain Seventh Avenue Dry Cleaner
Dear I Hate a Certain:
Of course I won’t FLAME a local business based on a single complaint. That’s bad practice, bad for local business, and just plain bad policy for a reputable blog.
Puhleeze. Who do you take me for? Effed in Park Slope?
That said, I feel your pain. More than once I have wanted to rent one of those election vans to rant about a horrible experience at a local business from Flatbush Avenue to Green-Wood Cemetery.
Who hasn’t?
In your case, I think it would be legitimate to bad mouth that local business to your friends and neighbors; you could put up a flyer telling people to stay away from said business; you could even send them an angry letter and really give it to ’em.
But I’m not sure it pays to be vindictive.
You could also do something constructive like go to the NYC 311 website and check out their Dry Cleaners Complaint page. Here’s what it says on that page:
The City accepts complaints about dry cleaners who:
Damage your clothing
Refuse to give you a refund
Fail to deliver goods or services
Overcharge
Charge different prices to dry clean clothing based on gender
The City can also direct you to the proper authorities if a dry cleaner closes down without returning your clothing. The City does not license dry cleaners and cannot force closed dry cleaner businesses to return your clothing. The City does not accept complaints about employee behavior or rudeness.
What I can do: I can recommend Nice Cleaners on 4th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. It’s a very nice place and the woman there does a good job tailoring, hemming and sewing. They have a cute bulldog and have NEVER lost an item of mine.
Sincerely,
She Who Listens
NOTE: If you need advice on personal and/or civic matters, Dear Listen (DL) will listen to your question, think about it, and offer you the best advice DL has to offer. Or not. If DL doesn’t know the answer, DL will reach out to someone who does.
No names will be used. This is anonymous, discreet and possibly very helpful.
Send emails to Dearlisten(at)gmail(dot)com