I got married in May wearing an original 1940s lace wedding dress. As it was a dry day and I got changed after the first dance, there was only light soiling to the dress. However, I wanted to keep my options open re: selling/keeping dress, so thought it best to investigate cleaning.

I found a nearby 'specialist' dry cleaners who claimed to specialise in both vintage and bridal dresses. Knowing how delicate the dress was, I asked for someone to inspect the dress and ring me to discuss any risks, prior to cleaning. I received a call from the company manager, who assured me the dress had been inspected by himself and his specialist cleaner (head of dry cleaning guild), and I need not worry about any damage (we spoke for 20 minutes with him going to great lengths to put my mind at rest). When I questioned him on the cleaning methods, he advised it would be cleaned by hand on a table. At no point were mechanical means mentioned (I had refused cleaning at another company as they said they only had mechanical facilities). If I had been made aware that there was ANY risk of damage, I would have forgone cleaning and just stored it as it is.

After the advised timescale for cleaning the dress, I rang to check if it was ready for collection. I spoke to the manager again, who told me the dress had 'come up beautifully'. I was therefore incredibly shocked when I inspected the dress at home and found the top layer of lace was full of large holes and the lace was generally very tatty. The dress has been in amazing condition for its age prior to cleaning.

I rang up immediately to complain. When I eventually spoke to the manager, he firstly tried to deny the extent of damage, then went on to say the damage had been there prior to cleaning (which is definitely not the case), then said that he would take my dress to one of their branches who undertake restoration. We left it that he would call me in 10 days time to advise if the dress could be restored.

In the meantime I put my complaints in writing, so I received a letter in response, rather than a call. His letter stated that:

- I was made fully aware of the risks of cleaning (not the case)

- The dress would have deteriorated even if it wasn't cleaned (not the case - it was in perfect condition after 70 years, so why would it have suddenly disintegrated?)

- The dress is valueless due to its age (definitely not the case! I paid £1200 for the dress, and the lady I bought it from said it would still be worth at least that amount (since I bought the dress, I did some research and discovered it has important provenance))

- I am not entitled to any compensation due to the reasons above

I am writing back stating why I disagree with the statements in his letter, but I am sure I will not get a satisfactory response.

I am determined to do anything possible to get my money back (the value of the dress, plus the cost of cleaning - £195), but am concerned it is my word against his that I was never made aware of the risks of cleaning.

Could anyone let me know:

- if there was any risk of damage, should the cleaners have asked me to sign a disclaimer/made me aware in writing?

- when the dress was damaged, should I have been given a written damage report (I wasn't even informed of the damage, I discovered it myself)

- If I pursue this legally, would I be likely to win? As I have just paid for my wedding, I do not have much spare money for legal costs if I am likely to lose.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

Hi Manchester

Welcome to CAG

You should have plenty of evidence as to the condition of the dress through the pictures/video taken at your wedding.

Clearly they should have taken more care when they cleaned the dress. I'm not sure you would be entitled to the whole cost of the dress, but you would be entitled to the cost of restoring it to it's original condition plus the cleaning cost - £195.

You could take them to the Small Claims court, but you must follow through on your threat.

The following applies, The Goods and Services Act 1982:-

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/supply-of-goods-and-services-act-1982

There is a template that you can amend, send that Recorded Delivery, the court will want to see that you have tried everything to resolve the matter. It doesn't cost that much to start proceedings.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/law_w/law_legal_system_e/law_taking_legal_action_e/small_claims.htm

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/when-should-i-use-the-small-claims-court-