Sohn’s French Cleaners

If it were possible to give no stars, I would. I believe the owner/​management of this place is dishonest and greedy. I have never encountered such terrible business practices as offered here. The prices are exhorbitant but I put up with them because of the convenience of the location. I had been going to Sohn’s for just about a year but the last straw occurred last week. My latest batch of clothing is now down the street at rival «La Mirage «.
Let me tell you that I was a very good, regular, courteous, patient customer for that entire year. I also sometimes had the sneaking suspicion that they made the prices up as they went along. Inconsistent. Even though a garment would be listed with a price, on more than a few occasions, the clerk charged me more and explained that it was because the item was a designer label and they needed to take special care– or something specious like that. I don’t believe she would have offered me an explanation if I hadn’t asked.
But then Sohn’s lost a garment of mine, and my attempt to retrieve it or receive restitution required me get on my hands and knees and grovel. When it was first determined that my garment was missing, I was asked to check back in a day or two. I did. Check back in another day or two, I was told. I did. Sorry, it’s gone. You need to fill out a claim form, I was then told. But they were out of claim forms. Come back later in the week. I did. Come back next week. I did. On my final visit, (still no claim forms) I was given the owner’s business card and directed to call him.
The next day, I walked diagonally across the street from Sohn’s to La Mirage. I was pleasantly greeted by Linda, the OWNER. I simply said that I was unhappy with the service at Sohn’s and she said, «And how about their PRICES?» She then smiled warmly and said, «We’ll take good care of you!» Now I have had two batches of clothing cleaned and LaMirage (see my review there) and I am quite content.

I still think they do a great job and you can trust Sohn’s to not ruin your clothes as I’ve experienced with other dry cleaners. But, really they need to tell people how much things cost ahead of time. I just dropped almost $ 60 on dry cleaning 3 items and hemming one pair of pants. I mentioned to the lady that the top I was dropping off had an inside layer (lining that can be separated) that needed to be cleaned too and she said that was fine. So, when I went to pick it up she said it costs $ 20 for the entire top. $ 10 for the outside and $ 10 for the lining (which could be separated). I can sort of understand $ 10 for the top because it had beading and buttons, but $ 10 for a slip that was actually part of the top??? Anyhow, if she had told me ahead of time the cost was$ 20 for that I would’ve taken it elsewhere. I told her the top cost me about $ 20 (definitely under $ 30) because I bought it at a consignment shop in NYC. Sure the top was Robert Rodriguez and the full price was probably more than 10x the $ 20 dry cleaning price, but I didn’t pay that much. Anyhow, the list price for tops is $ 7.95 at Sohn’s so I am not sure why it cost me $ 10 for each piece. I also had a sweater cleaned for $ 14 and a pair of pants cleaned for $ 8.75. The hemming was $ 15.50 which I did ask ahead of time. I was a little concerned about the hemming when I left it there as I asked the counter lady if I needed to try it on, but she said she could see where it frayed at the bottom and would just cut it off. I have always tried pants on before. I will be even more pissed if they turned out too short or too long, but it will be my fault since I didn’t insist. The counter lady is a bit short and just wants to get you in and out as quickly as possible.
Please be warned to ask for pricing ahead of time before dropping off your items as what they charge is not consistent with their list price and if you have multiple layers for a top or a dress (often a slip is included in a sheer dress) make sure you know what you are paying for.
I would not go here for non designer items. For Banana Republic and cheap replaceable items, I would take my clothers somewhere cheaper. I am even thinking that my Alice & Olivia, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Emporio Armani isn’t even worth paying their prices. Perhaps only real designer items like Prada are worth taking here. But, I’ll probably be back because I’m too lazy to haul my butt elsewhere. I may have to try La Mirage across the street next time.

If there was a way to give them negative stars, I would, and as many as possible. Maybe the other locations are better, but AVOID this particular location like the plague! They are HORRIBLE! It’s not even the fact that they’re extraordinarily expensive for what amounts to the same result as me hanging my clothes in the bathroom while I shower (we’re talking they charged me $ 30 to dry-​clean ONE dress, and it was a plain dress — CRAZY!). No, it’s really not even the price. I used to live in NYC, and let’s just say that I’ve gotten over being shocked at the occasional price-​gouging. NO, what is prompting me to write this STRONGLY NEGATIVE review (which I hardly ever do), is that they are possibly the RUDEST, LEAST HELPFUL people I have EVER encountered! The woman that works there is consistently EXTREMELY RUDE, and never provides a straight answer. For example, say you were to drop off an article of clothing, and ask, «When will this be ready?» Her answer, «I can’t guarantee anything.» Or say you were to ask, «Do you think they can get this stain out?» Her answer, «I can’t guarantee anything.» Or something like, «Do you think this item is ok to dry-​clean?» Yep, you guessed it, she «can’t guarantee anything.» I would honestly think she did not know any other English phrases, except I heard her on the phone when I entered the store, and she was definitely speaking English. She also has the most negative, annoyed, snotty tone when saying her signature phrase that I’ve ever heard. If you don’t want to be irritated by HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, then STAY AWAY from this cleaners!!!