ELEGANCE CLEANERS has a
policy for its employees to check the pockets of all garments
brought in for cleaning. Many lost treasures have been left
behind at the plant in Buford, GA, but they always make it back
to their rightful owners. Recently, $1,200 in cash was
discovered by worker Younja Yancy (pictured).
It’s quite common for cleaners to
find a lost treasure left in the pockets of their
customers’ dirty garments — hence why it is
necessary to search the clothes thoroughly prior to cleaning.
After all, you never know what might turn
up — a pack of gum or some lipstick — or maybe even
something with a rich sentimental or monetary value, such as a
wallet, watch, jewelry, or even a diamond.
All of these items have been found at one
time or another by personnel at Elegance Cleaners in Buford,
GA, the family-owned plant run by Unsuk Joiner. Now, $1,200 in
cash can be added to that list.
Early in March, plant employee Younja
Yancy was very alarmed to discover a bundle of hundred-dollar
bills during an early morning pocket-check of a pair of pants.
She showed the money to Chris Joiner, who
has worked at his wife’s store for the last couple of
years. As per the plant’s policy, he immediately tried to
contact the customer, but hit a slight snag.
“The number we had must have been
typoed,” he recalled. “It was a disconnected
number.”
So, they waited. And waited. Then, they
waited some more.
Finally, Jim Kittles realized his money
was missing and called later that evening.
When he came in to pick up the $1,200, he
insisted that Elegance Cleaners keep $100 for a reward. The
Joiners decided to give the money to Yancy, who proceeded to
take her husband out for a nice steak dinner.
The story caught the attention of the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which wrote an article about the incident a few days later. The
publicity seems to have started a positive domino effect.
“It’s fantastic,” Chris
Joiner said. “People come in now and they tell us stories
of things that we don’t even remember anymore about how
we found something of theirs in their pocket and gave it back
to them.”
In fact, one customer purposefully
overpaid his drycleaning bill to show his gratitude.
“I said, ‘Oh no, you paid too
much. Your bill was $21.’ He had written his check out
for $51,” Joiner explained. “He said, ‘Well,
it’s for doing a good deed.’”
The gentleman also insisted that Elegance
keep the money, so the Joiners gave it to Yancy.
However, the good news didn’t end
there. In the wake of a recent SmartMoney magazine article that harshly depicts drycleaners as
unethical and unprofessional, Joiner decided to write a letter
to the publication’s editor, using the $1,200 incident as
an example of how many people working in the industry are
honest to their customers.
“I sent them an e-mail. They called
me yesterday,” he said. “They said they were
publishing a condensed version. I was a little bit
skeptical and leery. He read it off to me. Nothing was taken
out of context.”
While he appreciates the positive media
spin for the industry, Joiner believes that most cleaners
already know the value customers place on honesty and
professionalism.
“Our turnover is very low,” he
said. “We excel at quality. We work at it. We bend over
backwards and get to know our customers real well.”
Joiner also firmly believes that most
drycleaners always return the cash found in pockets.
“I don’t think it’s that
rare,” he said. “I think three out of four would
have done the same thing.”
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North Carolina cleaners plan late May
convention
From May 23-26, the North Carolina
Association of Launderers and Cleaners will provide a mix of
fun and education at its Carolina Clean 2003 event.
This year’s location will be the
Atlantic Beach Sheraton Hotel.
NCALC will offer several relaxing
activities, such as golf, fishing, and sunbathing, not to
mention a reception, banquet and luau over the course of
Memorial Day weekend.
However, there will be plenty of
opportunities for cleaners to learn, as well. Bill Fisher, CEO
of the International Fabricare Institute, will be on hand to
discuss “Gaining and Retaining Customers in a Highly
Competitive Market.”
Other seminars include: “Ten Steps
to Success for Family-Owned Businesses by Dr. Cindy Iannarelli
of Business Cents; “What’s My Business Worth?
— A Practical Approach” by George Richardson of New
South Business Brokers, LTD; and “Update on the
Alternatives — New Solvents and Methodology” by Dr.
Manfred Wentz of North Carolina State University.
Lisa Taber, project manager for the North
Carolina Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup program, will present a
report on the “Status and Potential Pitfalls of the DSCA
Program” and Jim Cripe, president of IFI, will deliver a
keynote address.
A seminar on “Environmental
Compliance: Issues and Answers” is also tentatively
scheduled.
Rooms will be available to attendees at
the Atlantic Beach Sheraton at a rate of $132 per night.
For more information, contact the NCALC
office by calling (336) 389-9011.
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