Legal Question in Consumer Law in Michigan

Damaged Wedding Gown

I took my wedding gown to a local dry cleaner that advertises wedding gown cleaning and preservation. Upon picking up the dress, I was horrified to find that beads were loose and missing in chunks and the satin gown and bodice were snagged in various places. The cleaner had excuses for all of this because he ''knows how brides wear their gowns,'' having owned a bridal shop in the past. The gown, to me, is priceless, it is no longer being made by the manufacturer. Can I only take him to small claims for the amount of the original purchase 2 years ago? Any pain and suffering here? What are my options? The gown did not have any snags or missing beads when I took it in to be cleaned. How can I prove that and not have another ''he said, she said'' case?


Asked on 10/28/03, 7:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: Damaged Wedding Gown

It IS a case of he said, she said, but you can do a few things to increase your credibility in front of the court.

You can provide testimony about how you kept the gown, explain why you took it to the cleaners, get evidence of exactly what the cleaner did to the dress.

You're going to have to show that something he did caused the damage. This may not be easy, but it can be done. At most, however, you're likely to recover replacement cost of a similar dress. The dry cleaner is probably insured, but you won't find that out until you actually sue, probably. Ask about filing a claim with your local better business bureau.

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Answered on 10/28/03, 11:02 pm


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