Hats Off To Their Persistence

(The dry cleaner where I work is typically very good at cleaning items without ruining anything. However, once in a while there are problems, so when taking in potentially problematic items, customers are required to sign a release form stating that we will not be held responsible. This particular customer dropped off a $200 Gucci hat, as well as a wedding dress, and is coming in to pick the hat up. The dress is not ready yet.)

Customer: “Hi, I’m just here to pick up my hat; here’s the number you gave me.”

Me: “Sure thing. I’ll have it out for you in just a moment.”

(I go to the back and grab her hat, and I don’t notice anything wrong with it at first.)

Me: “Here you go!”

(She takes, it, and then:)

Customer: “My hat is ruined! This was $200, you know, and now it’s all crinkly, and not the right size anymore!”

Me: “I’m very sorry about that. If you’d like, you can fill out this form, and leave the hat here for my boss to look at.”

Customer: “No! You ruined it! I brought it in because it was stinky, and now I can’t even wear it! My husband’s a lawyer, and he will sue you over this! Where’s my dress? I want to see my dress! You better not have messed that up, too! It was from Mexico!”

Me: “I’m sorry, but as we send all clothes to our store in [Neighboring City] to be cleaned, I do not have your dress here yet. It will be back in on Friday. If you need to see it earlier, you could go to [Neighboring City] on Thursday evening.”

Customer: “I don’t have time for that! You ruined my hat, and you’ve probably lost my dress!”

(She then stomped out, leaving the hat on the counter. I put it in back with an explanation as to what happened. On Friday afternoon the customer came back in for her dress. The dress came back perfect, and we haven’t seen this customer since.)