Ellas Sewing Complete and Total Nightmare RIP OFF BUSINESS OWNER Bozeman Montana

I contacted 'Ella' to have my son go in to get the legs hemmed on his tuxedo. I asked the appropriate questions regarding her services and the expected time for her to perform such a small task. She was pleasant enough and informed me that she charges $13.50 for the service. As she does drop in, there was no need to set up an appointment, we informed her that he would make sure it was not during her lunch which is from 1-2:30pm. I contacted my son, who is 16 and let him know when and were to be. 

My son went to pick up the tuxedo with his friend who also had the same alteration done and the expectation of paying the $13.50 for the service requested. Instead, we received a call from our son that 'Ella' demanded $85. He didn't know what to do, didn't know what to say to her other than he would be back. I contacted her via phone to find out what was going on. I did not get the same pleasant 'Ella' that I had before. I was calm and asked what happened between our last conversation when she informed me that the hemming of his pants would be $13.50 and her stand off for $85.00. She told me that he 'had the jacket done too....and he had another boy with him that had the same thing done. She said, 'you didn't want him walking out of here looking like he was drug in from the streets, did you?' I told her he was 16 years old, he came in for a hem. How did this happen?? She immediately snapped back with a snide comment about 'how about taking responsibility for this, he is your son, his communication with you is not my responsibility.' After I asked her about being a responsible business owner who provides a service, she told me 'With the level of my business, MY REPUTATION CAN TAKE THE HIT. BESIDES, THEY GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.'  I asked her what that meant, she replied, 'I assumed they could afford it.' 

I was nearly speechless. These two boys who went in to have the pant legs hemmed clearly were taken for a ride by this shyster who merely sized the inexperienced boys up for whatever she could get out of them. I informed her that they were paying for the alterations, and they didn't have $85. Was she really going to hold their suits hostage for thes trumped up work? She then had the nerve to tell me that in '20 years, you are the first person to ever pull this on me.' Not really sure what I was supposedly pulling on her. She said she isn't responsible to verify work. He's a child, I told her. 'I don't know how old he is!' she yelled back. But, she knew he attended high school. 

I told her I would call her back and pay for my sons alterations so he could attend his formal. I called my son, the other boy was nearly in tears because they thought the charge was $13.50. He didn't have the money and there was no way to get it. I called 'Ella' back. I figured I could reason with her on behalf of the other boy in a calm manner. When she answered the phone, I introduced myself as the mother, and said. 'ma'am, please understand that just because someone attends private school, doesn't mean they have money. Many of the children who go to private school have scholarships. These boys work to help pay for their education.'

She hung up on me. Not a joke. She hung up the phone. She knew I was calling her to give her payment, and she HUNG UP THE PHONE.

Being over 5 hours away, I had no other alternative. I called the Police Department and explained the situation. Whatever the outcome, no matter what I am willing to pay for my son to retrieve his property being held hostage by this woman, it will require the intervention of a police officer. 

Whatever you do, please stay away from this woman and her 'business' if there is an alternative.