Wedding dress and dry cleaners...WWYD?

[Linz]

So, this past weekend I went to drop my wedding dress off to get cleaned and heirloomed (I know, I am a procrastinator) I went to a dry cleaners that seemed to be the biggest chain here. When we got to the store the employee wanted to me sign a waiver basically stating that if anything happened to my dress. i.e. stains, rips, tears or if my dress got ruined in any way they wouldn't be liable. I told him that if they ruined my dress they should be held accountable and I wasn't going to sign the waiver. He told me I could go somewhere else then.

I believe that if a cleaner ruins my wedding dress, they should be held accountable. From a legal standpoint I understand their reasoning but from a brides standpoint I just couldn't sign something like that.

So, I suppose my questions to all of you are: Am I being overly sensitive? Would you sign a waiver like that? Is this a normal procedure with dry cleaners? What would you do if your dress got ruined by a dry cleaners?

[jnettie]

There's no way I'd sign something like that. They are liable if they ruin something! I've had dry cleaner point out existing tears and make a note so we both know what they haven't done, but I've never had anyone make me sign a waiver. I have had dry cleaners turn me away because they knew they couldn't handle cleaning something without ruining it, which I can totally understand.

I have a feeling that it wouldn't matter if you signed a waiver, they'd still be liable.

[honeygirl]

Nope, I wouldn't sign it. I had my dress cleaned through the online place lots of ladies here used. I think it was www.wedclean.net

I was happy with their services and didn't have to sign anything.

[lawyerlee]

Heck no, I wouldn't sign it. I'd definitely shop around and only go with a store you feel completely comfortable with.

And if it makes you feel any better, I've been married for four and half years and I still haven't done anything with my dress. I suck! ;) :)

[KrissyCat7]

I wouldnt sign it either.

Just as an FYI, I used wedclean and was very happy with their service.

[Kimberland30]

ITA with the others. I wouldn't have signed it either.

I also used WedClean as per numerous recommendations from other brides at WC (back in the day). I got my dress cleaned well after a year of wearing it. Last night I just took it out of the box they shipped it in (I got it back about 3 months ago) and it looks AMAZING. They got out every stain and mark that I thought would be impossible, plus they fixed a couple areas of beading and some crystals on my veil.

I really want to wear it again now. :)

[Linz]

Thanks for the input. I'm glad I'm not crazy and was legitimate in not signing the waiver. My DH was with me and he thought I was a little nuts for telling them I wouldn't sign it.

I think I am going to sent it to wedclean, I have heard so many good things about it. Thanks again!

[framboise]

I wouldn't have signed it either. Good move on walking out.

My dress is scheduled to come back from WedClean today! The train was excessively dirty since our ceremony & reception were in a garden so I did get an email saying that they couldn't take everything out. I really should have taken pictures before I sent it out because it was nothing less than horrifying really. :eek: I'm bummed, but not surprised. And I'm anxious to see what it looks like now because anything will be an improvement!

[NotDesperate]

I think I did sign something like that.... but I didn't know what else to do and the guy said, "I've been cleaning wedding dresses since before you were born and I haven't messed one up yet."

So I left my dress and it came back perfect.

But I got it wet cleaned, not dry cleaned and I did not get it heirloomed because I have heard horror stories about both. I did a DIY heirloom.