Boston

NBC10 Boston Responds: Hung Out to Dry

Athena Galanopoulos spent months trying to get reimbursed for an expensive jacket that she says was damaged at the dry cleaner.

"It was a wool jacket and when they tried to clean some areas, it was very thinned out, almost to the point where the jacket in some spots was bald, and I couldn't wear it again," explained Athena.

She had heard about Rinse on social media. The company picks up your clothing, cleans it at their Boston facility, and then returns it within three days, delivered to your door. Athena emailed Rinse Customer Service about the situation and they agreed to refund her the cost of the jacket - $478.

"They said, 'OK, we'll send you a refund, a check for that amount," said Athena. "I never got the check. They sent me an invoice, but it never came. Two weeks later, I asked what's going on. They told me, 'You should have gotten the check by now,' and this happened two more times where they said they sent me a check and it never came."

Frustrated that the refund check never arrived, Athena reached out to NBC10 Boston Responds for help.

"I always watch NBC and I see stories all the time, and I figured, 'Hey, maybe they can help me out,' and I'm really happy that I did, because the next day, someone came with a check to my lobby," said Athena.

"At Rinse, we take the care of our customers' clothes very seriously," the company said in a statement to NBC10 Boston. "We stand behind our Rinse guarantee of providing reimbursement for the full value in the rare instances that an item is damaged while in our care.

Athena got her $478 back and she's in the market for a new winter coat.

"I was waiting to finally have the situation behind me and it took way too long. It shouldn't have taken more than two weeks and it took four months," said Athena. "I know that I can always count on you guys and get very quick results."

If you are taking expensive items to the dry cleaner, it's a good idea to take pictures of the garments before dropping them off, and be sure to inspect clothing immediately after cleaning to make sure your items were returned in good condition.

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