Hyderabad: Consumer panel asks Tumbledry to pay ₹7,000 for damaging sports shoes
The commission ordered the centre to pay ₹5,000 as compensation and ₹2,000 towards litigation costs.
By - Sistla Dakshina Murthy
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Hyderabad: Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission–II has directed Tumbledry Solutions Private Limited, dry-cleaning centre to pay ₹7,000 to a customer after her expensive shoes were damaged due to negligent use of chemicals.
The commission ordered the centre to pay ₹5,000 as compensation and ₹2,000 towards litigation costs.
Complaint against dry-cleaning centre
The case was filed against Tumbledry, dry-cleaning centre, which allegedly damaged a pair of sports shoes belonging to Pallavi, a resident of Road No. 13, Banjara Hills.
According to the complaint, Pallavi had given eight items, including three pairs of shoes and two long dresses, for dry cleaning on December 14, 2024. The total bill for the service was ₹1,377.
Shoes damaged due to chemical error
Three days later, an employee of the dry-cleaning centre informed Pallavi that the sports shoes were damaged due to an error in using the appropriate chemicals during the cleaning process.
The employee reportedly told the customer that he feared losing his job and offered ₹15,000 from his own pocket, along with ₹3,500 from the centre as compensation. However, Pallavi rejected the offer, stating that the damaged shoes were worth nearly ₹50,000.
Consumer Commission approached
Following the incident, Pallavi filed a complaint before the consumer commission on March 7, 2025, seeking compensation. She demanded ₹50,000 towards the value of the shoes and an additional ₹80,000 for mental agony, financial loss, and litigation expenses, totalling ₹1.3 lakh.
Commission’s verdict
After examining the evidence, the commission noted that the complainant had submitted proof showing that the shoes were purchased abroad.
Taking the circumstances into account, the commission ruled that ₹5,000 as compensation, along with ₹2,000 towards case expenses, would be reasonable.
The commission also warned that if the amount is not paid within 45 days, the dry-cleaning centre will have to pay the amount with 12% annual interest.
