Bug’s Day
(What bugs Don the Drycleaner)
Don Pattison – Executive Cleaners

· the expression “getting taken to the Cleaners
· Landlords
· Customers that bring back a jacket, five days after picking it up, and complain about the fresh coffee/alcohol/ice cream stain now prominently spilled down the front of the garment and saying we must have missed it.
· Staff
· Customers that always ask for “rush service” and pickup four days later
· Customers that always want rush service
· People that tell me that they are my best customer but I only see them at sales
· Customers who’s mother in law has died three times and that’s why they need the rush service
· Customers that cut out the care label
· Customers that need rush service because of a wedding (was it a surprise wedding?)
· Drycleaners that are price followers instead of price leaders
· Not being able to charge $4.50 for a laundered shirt like one SPDA member (maybe I should become a price leader in Saskatoon?) Stay tuned
· Customers that I only see once a year and they complain about prices
· Other drycleaners that do not remove their drycleaning tags from the customers clothes
· Customers who talk on their cellphone as they come into my plant

My staff informs me that they have three more bugs that I have missed:

· Bosses
· Bosses that say they will be right back
· Bosses that say they will fix something today and then say they will be right back

There are some good and bad things that happen everyday.  Tell us about what bugs you

Phone or Fax Don at 306.373.3561
Email Don at SPDA@shaw.ca

The current SPDA Board is:
Don Pattison, Executive Cleaners – President
Marge Reddekopp, The Clean Shoppe – Vice President
Larry Tessier, Busy Bee Cleaners – Past President
Shane Bancescue – Secretary /Treasurer
Darren Serviss, Executive Cleaners – Communications
Greg Wilchuk, Classic Glamourizing – Director at Large
Arlene Clark, Kwala T Cleaners – Director South
Bob Telfer, Dresswell Drycleaners – Director North

SPDA Classifieds

As a bonus to SPDA Members we are starting a new segment in which you can advertise your used equipment or a special item that you may be looking for : SPDA Members – No Charge  Non-Members - $20.00

Wanted – Used Vacuum for drycleaning press.  Anysize available.  Call Larry Tessier @ Busy Bee Cleaners, Regina, SK.  Phone 306.789.9666

For Sale – Forenta Press, 18ft clothes conveyor, portable scale, Cissel Suzie, 45 gal. Perc Barrel, Perfectpleat drapery unit, gas operated dryer - $2000.00 for all - Contact  - Jack Harris Saskatoon 306.343.0722

Wanted – Used pant topper any model – Call Don Pattison @ Executive Cleaners, Sakatoon, SK. Phone 306.343.0903

Stain – Resistant Finishes

Q What can you tell me about the new stain – resistant finishes I’ve seen advertised on TV and in clothing catalogs?

A TV ads are airing for “Go Khaki! With Stain Defender” for Levi Strauss’ Dockers Label. (The company’s Slates label also markets Stain Defender.)  The stain – resistant finish used on the Levi Strauss clothing lines is a Dupont Teflon finish.  The recommended care instructions are: machine wash warm with liquid detergent, tumble dry, durable press cycle, remove promptly, no fabric softners or dryer sheet.  For best stain repellence, iron every 5th washing.  The label also states it should provide stain repellency for 30 washings.  According to Levi Strauss’ customer service department, the item may also be drycleaned.

Another driving force behind this type of stain resistance is what’s known as Nano-Tex®.  According to a representative at Burlington Industries, Nano-Tex® is an advanced proprietary technology that changes the characteristics of a fabric at the molecular level.  This technology creates a textile that minimizes stains, repels water, and resists wrinkling.  Lee’s Performance Khakis, Lands’ End Nano-Tex Twill trousers and Eddie Bauer Nano Care Chinos are made from fabrics utilizing this technology.  IFI is in the process of doing a study on how these new fabrics behave in cleaning.
 

Deviating From the Care Label’s Instructions

Q I just received a ladies silk suit for cleaning with a care label in it that stated to “machine wash and hang dry.”  I would prefer to dryclean this outfit and believe since the label does not prohibit drycleaning then this procedure would be an acceptable alternative.  Is this true?

A The manufacturer is required to give one appropriate method of care.  Warnings need only be given for the care procedure recommended and not for any alternative care procedures.  Therefore, if a garment is labeled as washable, it does not necessarily mean that it can safely be drycleaned or conversely that drycleaning would actually harm the fabric.  That determination is left up to the cleaner.  Some testing may be required.  As always, you must also draw upon past experiences with similar garments and your personal expertise to make these decisions.  Remember, neither the retailer nor the manufacturer can be responsible for any damage to garments caused by an alternative care process not listed on the care label.
 

In our last newsletter we wanted to know the average Interac costs that drycleaners are paying.  This information will give you an idea of what other drycleaners are paying for these services.

How much is your terminal rental?      Low  High

Monthly         $0.00  $35.00

What is your discount rate for?
Visa 1.7%   2.3%
Visa _____% MC _____% Amex _____%   MC 1.64%   2.5%
        Amex 3.5%  3.75%
Debit $_____ (per transaction)    Debit 0.9¢  0.15¢

Do you pay a monthly transfer fee?

How much _______

Is there a settlement fee to close your day end?

How much _______

Are there any other fees? ___________________________________________

In looking at the data a few things should be considered.
Some of the respondents own their machine outright and do not pay a monthly fee.
Some pay a closing fee that adds up to about the same as a monthly charge.

In conclusion there wasn’t much difference in the monthly charges or rentals
but there are definitely differences in the charge card and debit fee rates.

Comments, Letters, Advertisements or membership services inquires should be mailed to:

SPDA NEWSLETTER
P.O. Box 3482
Regina, S4P 3J8
E-mail: sbancescue@regina.dominionco.com