Dry Cleaning 4U ruined roman blinds due to cleaning procedure used without consent from the customer.

I took roman blinds to Dry Cleaning 4 U in Durbanville to be dry cleaned. The blinds were made by an interior designer and did not have a care label. I specifically asked for dry cleaning due to the quality of the material and said that it must not be washed for there were watermarks on the blinds and I was not sure what water would do to the material.

I received a phone call from the dry cleaners and they said that they had washed it and the material was torn to pieces at the bottom of the blind. I said that I asked for dry cleaning and not washing. The lady said it could not be dry cleaned because the red colour would have run in the material. I told her that they should have phoned me first before washing it and that I would have said "no" to washing and explicitly asked for dry cleaning. She said the material was damaged by the sun and therefore it was torn. I rep**** that theblinds have block out lining specifically to protect it from the sun and therefore it would not have torn due to sun damage.

When I went to collect the blinds I was shocked at the extent of the tearing. The material as well as the lining were torn to pieces at the bottom of the blinds. I asked for the manager (Petro Solberg) and she confirmed that I asked for dry cleaning and not washing as she was present when I handed it in. I told her that I would get a quote for the replacement of the blinds for they followed a cleaning procedure without my consent.

Andries Venter (the owner) responded to the quote in a letter stating that the tearing is due sun damage and that they are not responsible. I did sign an indemnity form, but signed it for the dry cleaning process and not washing. This form does not state in any way that Dry Cleanin 4U can decide which cleaning process is most suitable.

Dry Cleaning 4U should have phoned me to explain why they could not dry clean the blinds and then should have asked for my permission to wash it. They did not do this and therefore have to take responsibility for the result of a cleaning process they decided to use without my consent. The replacement value of the curtains (without the lining) is more than R6000.

Their response to my dissatisfaction with their process is unacceptable.