Reviewing a company online

[Sponge]

My wife was the recent victim of very poor service from a Dry Cleaners and we'd like to pass on how he treated her by reviewing his company/services on the many websites that cater for this sort of thing. However, we do not wish to fall foul of any libel laws. It's my understanding that as long as what we write is truthful, we're allowed to make 'fair comment' without fear of being prosecuted.

This is what we're thinking of writing. Can you see any problems in it?

After damaging my garment, then bawling at me in the shop in front of staff and other customers after I dared to express my dissatisfaction, I vow never to use 'xxx xxx xxx’ again.

From the moment I walked into the shop the owner/manager was aggressive, rude, dismissive and unhelpful. He had already made his mind up that he was not at fault and launched into an uninterruptible tirade. He wouldn’t allow me to even finish a sentence. I was unable to express any opinion or make any suggestions to remedy the situation.

I found him incredibly intimidating as he spent the whole conversation exclaiming and pointing at me. As soon as I tried to assert myself and get a word in, calmly and politely I might add, he accused me of yelling and having a bad attitude. He was always on the offensive, turning everything against me. I couldn’t believe my ears. How could someone talk to a customer like this, dissatisfied or otherwise?

I could do no more than escape the situation as soon as possible and leave the premises, vowing never to return.

If you value your clothes and expect to be treated fairly and courteously, especially if faced with a complaint, then please do not use this company.

The guy was tall, well built and obviously thought he could intimidate a small, 5' female in such a fashion and get away with it. Which he has to all intents and purposes, as she has a damaged dress and no way to pursue the matter.

Edited October 1, 2009 by Sponge

[Teacake]

That seems fair enough to me, but I'm not an expert. I would suggest you seek redress, but that's probably a pun too far. Write to the dry cleaners, clearly expressing your complaint with the work carried out (not with their attitude) and give them 14 days to respond. If they don't respond, take 'em to the cleaners. Damn, how do I get this keyboard out of pun mode?

[Busby]

Sponge, is this an independent dry-cleaners or part of a chain? If it's a chain then I'd say get in touch with the head office.

Dependent on the value of the dress and how much grief you want, you could always go to small claims court too. They deal with sums under £5k I think and it used to cost circa £30 to launch a case. A letter will go to the guy telling him to attend court, whereby you and he sit in judges chambers and explain things for him to then make a ruling.

Good luck

[Sponge]

Thanks for the advice peeps.

The dress was bought from Debenhams, by Principles. My wife has been on the phone to them and they have been very helpful. They've offered to send the dress back to Principles to get assessed, at no charge. I'm thinking it might be an idea to wait for their results. If they say it's damage due to negligent cleaning, then I think we'll have a better case.

[pontyslapper]

If its an independent - give it a month or so then start the 'silent but violent' campaign. Have used this myself against traders who have fecked me over on goods or services.

1. Call in the big guns - HMRC etc - illegals, cash in hand, tax avoidance, that kind of stuff - they'll crawl all over the swine and make him sweat - they may even inadvertantly find something!

2. Do they do pick ups/drop offs/delivery service - false appointments - get the buggers running ragged!

3. Thats pretty much it - apart from use phone boxes, and false names.

PS Also tell everyone in the immediate area - randoms in Tesco, people you open doors for, really vent about it to anyone locally - ruin him by darkening his 'good' name!

Takes a bit of organisation on your part and you may not see the results directly, but rest assured it works. Our wedding photographer got the thick end of my wrath with this over his overcharging and ruining our wedding video. He no longer has a shop and doesn't trade as far as I know!