Legal Question in Business Law in Arizona

Dry cleaner destroys comforter

Company destroyed a comforter that was supposed to be dry cleaned. The customer wanted full reimbursement to include the dry cleaning cost and shipping. She gave me a price that was no longer the cost charged by the store. I chose to reimburse her by the price of the store. She said she paid a total of $599 from an internet company. I went to the company and the items only cost $555 which was less than her quote. This was for an exact replacement. She included in her quote $42 shipping (which may have been overnight), but the company said it was only $15 (for ground shipment a few days). I paid her for full replacement from the company as quoted on the internet, $15 shipping and the full amount of dry cleaning. Do I have to legally pay her the full amount of the items even though it is less expensive now (3 weeks later) than it was when she purchased it? Do I have to pay her overnight of $42 or just the $15 to ground deliver it? She also wanted the items back.....which I know has to be ridiculous. The items were not really destroyed, just not to her satisfaction. If I pay her for it, she does not get it back, correct....I pay it is now mine...why should she get 2 items for 1 price?


Asked on 10/18/05, 9:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Donald Scher Donald T. Scher & Associates, P.C.

Re: Dry cleaner destroys comforter

I believe that you have offered more than you are required under the law. You are liable for the damage to the property, not necessarily to replace the item with a new one, including shipping and handling. If the customer wants to keep the item, then compensation would be the repair costs to restore the property to the condition it was in when you took it in for cleaning. In any case, whatever the resolution, you should get a full and complete release of all claims by this person, and question whether or not you want any future business with this person.

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Answered on 10/19/05, 1:05 pm


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