Billed for damages on linen rental!?

[yotaflame]

Hi guys,

Even in a off-topic forum, this is a super reach.

Anyway here is my dilemma. Couple of weeks ago I got married. We rented tablecloth linens for the wedding reception for one night. Apparently food and drink got spilled onto the linens (not totally far fetched right?). Now the linen company is charging for replacement of a few linens that developed mildew. The linens are not torn, not ripped; they just have a few spots of mildew on them. They are charging us $400 for replacement. We spent close to $2,000 on renting them!

Do they expect the tablecloths to not be soiled with food and drink? We used them in a reasonable and expected manner, not negligent with it's use.

The company delivered the linens on Saturday, Sunday morning I returned to pick up stuff I left there. The linens were still there at the venue at 10:30AM. My argument is that since the linen company was responsible for delivery and pick up, if the linens were not picked up and laundered in time to prevent mildew damage from normal use, it is not my responsibility for the damage as it occurred after my use.

What recourse do I have, they will not drop the bill. I feel I did not cause the damage. How do I fight this? I am worried about this going into debt collection and on my credit report. How can I argue my case before that happens. Any legal recourse I can take? Thank you so much.

 

[Bigshankhank]

What is written in your rental agreement? Start there to determine if you have legal recourse. From where I sit, it sounds like the linen company allowed the tablecloths to sit too long thus they grew mildew and were ruined. That is not your fault. But then again, we are only getting your side of things...

Really though, review your rental agreement and figure out if there were any specifications for condition of the linens upon pickup; were they to be dry and free of food remnants? Folded and stacked upon the tables? Something else, reach out to the manager of the venue/facility where you held your ceremony and ask them about this company, they may have had complaints against them before and be in a position to "straighten them out" for fear of loosing a referral. Also see if they made note of what time the linens were picked up. Sooner the better as they may only have their memories to serve them if they didn't write it down or have to go through a security gate (timestamp). Be wary, I know where I was married the venue had relationships with a number of "preferred" vendors and if there is some collusion to scrape a bit off of your security deposit they may be in on it. I cannot prove it but I think this happened to me with the alcohol vendor (lots of booze leftover when we left, nothing left the next day when we cleared out). That would seriously suck, edit your Yelp! review accordingly.
Good luck.

 

[yotaflame]

What is written in your rental agreement? Start there to determine if you have legal recourse. From where I sit, it sounds like the linen company allowed the tablecloths to sit too long thus they grew mildew and were ruined. That is not your fault. But then again, we are only getting your side of things...

Really though, review your rental agreement and figure out if there were any specifications for condition of the linens upon pickup; were they to be dry and free of food remnants? Folded and stacked upon the tables? Something else, reach out to the manager of the venue/facility where you held your ceremony and ask them about this company, they may have had complaints against them before and be in a position to "straighten them out" for fear of loosing a referral. Also see if they made note of what time the linens were picked up. Sooner the better as they may only have their memories to serve them if they didn't write it down or have to go through a security gate (timestamp). Be wary, I know where I was married the venue had relationships with a number of "preferred" vendors and if there is some collusion to scrape a bit off of your security deposit they may be in on it. I cannot prove it but I think this happened to me with the alcohol vendor (lots of booze leftover when we left, nothing left the next day when we cleared out). That would seriously suck, edit your Yelp! review accordingly.
Good luck.

There is no rental agreement form. There was no stipulations as to how the linens were to be stored or any other guidelines or rules. We were told they will deliver and pick them up after our event. No specifics, did not tell us how to store it, when they were to pick up, nothing.

The only thing in writing was our bill. On the bottom it read "client responsible for linen damage" before the signature line where we signed.

That is it. If I was negligent and damaged them I understand I would be responsible. But I do not feel like we caused the mildew damage; soiled and dirtied the linens, yes.

As for the reception venue, they too took our damage deposit. They said there was excessive cleaning to do (one trash can not emptied) and one liquid spill! You may be on to something with the collusion as the cost to clean those items would be way less then the damage deposit they will not return.

 

[NewguyNY]

I wouldn't pay them. If they take you to small claims court then so be it. You should be fine.

 

[yotaflame]

I wouldn't pay them. If they take you to small claims court then so be it. You should be fine.

I am fine with going to small claims court to argue my case. However, I do not want this to negatively affect my credit. Doesn't it go to debt collectors and reported to the credit agency prior to it going before court?

 

[RunninInGA]

I am fine with going to small claims court to argue my case. However, I do not want this to negatively affect my credit. Doesn't it go to debt collectors and reported to credit agency before it goes before court?

I'm doubting a linen rental company reports to credit bureaus - do they have your SSN for identity verification?

 

[yotaflame]

I'm doubting a linen rental company reports to credit bureaus - do they have your SSN for identity verification?

They do not have my SSN. I did however pay with my credit card.

 

[NewguyNY]

They do not have my SSN. I did however pay with my credit card.

I'd let the credit card company know what's going on and not to allow any charges on the card from them. Any further action from them and I'd consult an attorney.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

i used to work for a business that did party rental items and for us the linens didn't need to be clean, but rips, tears, or "irreparable damage" which did include mold would violate the rental agreement, which was a paper document and ended up in the customer being charged for the damages pieces, just how it worked where i was.

 

[cb1111]

File a complaint with the consumer affairs division of your state's Attorney General's office. If in NC then here is the link. File a complaint with the BBB as well.

I also suppose that one of your local news sites would be interested.

Mildew doesn't start overnight and shouldn't be an issue if laundered promptly.

That said, it sounds like you had a hell of a party - congrats.

 

[GirJisker]

File a complaint with the consumer affairs division of your state's Attorney General's office. If in NC then here is the link. File a complaint with the BBB as well.

I also suppose that one of your local news sites would be interested.

Mildew doesn't start overnight and shouldn't be an issue if laundered promptly.

That said, it sounds like you had a hell of a party - congrats.

I think if you approach this issue correctly, especially as quickly as possible, it will be resolved in your favor.

 

[RedSled]

Take it to Judge Judy............or any other small claims court.

 

[T4R2014]

I bet the mildew issue has been dealt with in the five years since posting.

 

[The G-Man]

Not surprised. Wedding industry is full of things like this to nickel and dime people at a time where they are supposed to be happiest and therefore just accept the charges.

My wife and I ended up buying linens instead and selling them after. We also joked about starting a table renting company because the prices they charge have to be in the black after like 2 rentals and any damage you just pass to the last customer.


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