Clothes left in dryer - What do you do?

[ChuckB]

Last Sunday in the middle of the rush, someone left 4 dryers full of clothes and went shopping or something.

Several patrons wanted the clothes removed from the dryers so they could use them, what do you do?

[Chase13]

We have a sign that tells customers that their clothes will be removed if left to accomadate other customer that are waiting. Most customer will not remove clothes, but some do.

We are unattended, but whenever we are there, we will remove clothes from washers or dryers and wait for the customer to arrive. When they arrive, we will pull them aside to let them know that it was us that removed the clothes and not another customer (most appreciate that it was us). We have always been thanked and they usually apologise for taking so long. Everyone has mentioned that they noticed the sign about leaving their clothes.

We do this move customers through our mat quickly and the customers waiting appreciate it.

Chase13

[Lar Hylobates]

I buy any clothes that disappear or are damaged. I simply ask the customer to put a number on it and pay them on the spot.

I have not had a customer hit me with an unfair amount yet.

I also have the not responsible signs, but I could never tell someone that, as it certainly is my responsibilty...what happens in your shop is your responsibilty and nobody else's.

[ajay]

we usually fold them neatly and give them back to the customers when they ask for them; items in this quantity, will be asked about. If it's something of little value then we keep them in lost&found box. After few months, if they are not picked up we then put them in a basket with a big sign(is this yours??!!)...and if they are still not picked up, we then dump them. We take our left drycleaning clothes to the salvation army at the end of the year.

ajay

[Gary C]

We remove the clothes and put a sign on them

" Thank you for using our laundromat we have removed your clothes so someone else can use the machine "

So far no complaints a few have asked why we would remove their clothes and I explain niceley that they are only renting the machine for as long as it takes to do a load of laundry and that I can not ask someone to come back later because someone left their clothes in the machine.

As far as resposability I will not pay for any lost or stolen clothes. Only time I would pay is if a machine caused the damage.

Gary

[Kitty]

Yesterday, as I was leaving an Hispanic woman could not converse as to what her problem was. It appeared she was disatisfied with the dryer, there seemed to be sometype of fluid on her white clothing. CHeck the washer and the dryer and saw nothing. I couldn't understand her and she couldn't undersand me. I was offering to rewash her clothing and let her pick up tomorrow. Finally, after not getting any where I brought her to the computer for the free translation.com and even thought that translation was off. Finally got it.

We always check the machines, and first offer to rewash. After a rewash is unsuccessfully do we try to accomodate the customer. We will pay for any damaged items that are questionable that the machines may have produced this.

[pete f]

I would remove clothes from dryers that have been left if I needed the capacity. People do not like it though, and I bought more dryers than I need so do not have this problem anymore. At the end of the day anything left in a machine is put on a table, the following day I put it in a box in the office, 1 month later the cleaning people get dibs on the stuff.

[PeterH]

My 'mat is unattended during the week. Several time, I have had customer come in at night and inquire about clothing that disappeard. I ask them what happened, and invariably they say, "I put my clothes in the washer/dryer, then ran to Walmart, and when I came back they were gone." I'm sorry ma'am/sir, you left your things unattended. It's like leaving your car unlocked. I have warnings up. And even tho' the police station is across the street, if someone wants your stuff bad enough, they will take it.

Items left in the washer when I get there to close are dried and folded. Items left in the dryer are folded. They get labled as to what machine they were found in and the date. Usually, the customer comes in to retrieve them in about a week. "I got home and still didn't have any underwear! Thanks for saving them!"

On the weekends when I am there, if stuff is left in a washer/dryer that someone want to use, I remove them into a cart and roll it up by the office.

When people ask me how long the machines take and if they can run to the store, I always underestimate the time and tell them in a very parental tone of voice to "mind the time". Suddenly, my washers take 20 minutes to complete a cycle and they are usually back in time.

I keep things for 30 days. After that, Goodwill gets them. Single items found in a machine are immediately thown out. I don't have room for all the socks and panties that get left. Wash cloths and towels become rags.

[CharlieS]

With our attended mat, we pull them out and place them unfolded in a clear garbage bag, with the date and machine they came out of. If the mat is not busy (meaning the dryer is not needed), we leave them, often as long as a day.

If left in the washer, we dry them, then do the same thing.

In the unattended mat, the cleaning person removes them and does the same thing. She sets them aside on an unused folding table. They disappear from there, one way or the other.

I have had clothes stolen 3 times in 2 years from the unattended mat. Every time was when someone left their clothes unattended. We accept no responsibility for these.

Charlie