I sent my wedding gown to Prestige to be cleaned in July 1999 shortly after my wedding. The reputable bridal salon I purchased the dress from recommended Prestige. Once Prestige received my dress, I was told it would take four months to clean. A year later, I still do not have my gown. I have called and left messages, and no one returns my calls. I left a message demanding the return of my wedding dress or the $2500 my dress is worth. Only after the threatening call did I receive a curt message saying my gown would be shipped out shortly. That was back in April. Still no dress. I was also doubled charged the full amount of the cleaning on my credit card. I requested additional shipping insurance on the dress in January, which would be an additional cost of $40. Instead, I was charged $346.95. I called and reported the problem only to be told that they had no record of the double charge. I faxed in my credit card statements and a letter requiring the credit be made to my card, demanding the return of my dress, and an apology. That was in March. Again, no response. My credit card company is currently going after the $346 charge. Now that the company has been taken over by Worldwide, I thought I would have better luck. Nope. I still get the same run around. I've been told that my dress will be shipped shortly. I've been told that every month since November. I've been told to have patience. I spoke with Bridget this morning who assured me that my dress would be shipped next week. When I told her I had heard that since November, she offered no apologies and simply stated, we bought Prestige's accounts and we're trying to ship out the dresses. That isn't a good enough reply. When you take over a business, you also take on the responsibility of their customers. No notice was sent out saying that my wedding dress was now in the care of Worldwide. I think they still have my dress, but I know I'll be lucky if I ever get it back.
UPDATE: I contacted a consumer protection agency in New York, and the consumer advisor who has been helping me contacted Worldwide Gown Cleaners. She was told by their office that they have been in business for years and are in no way the same company as Prestige. Also, the advisor suggested I contact a dry cleaners association in New York City that handles dry cleaning disputes. I will post the phone number later. I am contacting a lawyer for some advice on the matter and will post that information as well. If anyone has had any luck in their dealings with Prestige/Worldwide, please let the rest of us know. Thanks!