Even if you don’t believe it, there are still some in Caracas dry cleaners ready to meet your clothing-related needs.
Our specialists have the necessary skills to ensure that your outfit is appropriate and impeccable for any event, whether it be a graduation, wedding, baptism, 15th birthday or baby shower.
In 2001, we reviewed some of these stores so that our readers can choose the option that best suits their needs and budgets.
Likewise, the challenges and adversities that those who are dedicated to the business of the dry cleaners.
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How do dry cleaners work today?
One of the dry cleaners addressed was the “Uslar Dry Cleaners”, located in the basement level of the Uslar Shopping Center at Montalbán 1.
2001 spoke with the business manager, Juan Carlos Martínez, who explained that they offer laundry, dry cleaning, sewing and clothing dyeing services.
The laundry costs $7 per washer, around 15 or 20 items of clothing.
“It is washing and drying,” Martinez said, while the service per piece varies. Shirts can cost $5 and pants $4.
Shoes can also be cleaned for $4 and sewing services start at $5, such as repairs to zippers or hemming pants.
For the ironing service, customers can pay between 3 and 4 dollars, although the price varies depending on the quality or material of the fabric. “And the full service costs 5 dollars,” said the manager.
Payment methods are through point of sale, at the BCV rate, and they also accept dollars. “Most people prefer to pay by card,” he said.
It is worth noting that they do not deliver clothes without an invoice and currently do not have a delivery service or any promotions.
According to Martinez, her clients often request that their bed linen be washed.
“Mostly they are duvets that cannot be washed at home, as they are too big to fit in a home washing machine. They also ask for tablecloths that need ironing.”
On the other hand, Venezuelans can contact the telephone number 0212-4423840.
As for the pace of work of the dry cleaners Martinez believes that it is “very slow”, unlike 10 or 20 years ago.
“It has dropped by about 80% of what it was before, the amount of clothing coming in is no longer the same as before.”
Fashion has had a great influence on the use of services. “Many people used to come here wearing shirts and ties, so now everything is much more informal. Many banks have also closed, so the way of working is no longer the same as before.”
Likewise, consider that the dry cleaners They have also been affected by the diaspora. “A lot of people have left here and many of the country houses used to come here, but they are no longer here.”
In addition, the cost of laundry supplies and rent have also gone up a lot.
“Tintorería Uslar” has been in the market for approximately 30 years. Previously, they used to receive orders for 200 shirts a day and the same number for trousers.
“Nowadays, 10-20 shirts a day is a lot. We are mostly dealing with the laundry part, but the dry cleaning service, as before, is not the same.”
Martinez said they are looking to promote themselves through social media in order to attract a larger target audience.
“Before, this had a union and the union practically disappeared because many people who worked in the sector have now disappeared because many businesses have closed or could not find employment in this section of the dry cleaners”.
More references
In 2001, she also visited “La Tintorería de Lujo: La villa”, located at Montalbán 2. It is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, while on Saturdays it is open until 2:00 pm.
It is worth mentioning that the store does not currently offer delivery, reported José Fortunato, main manager and director of the business.
Payment methods are point of sale, dollars and mobile payment (0412-3329392) at the BCV rate.
On Mondays and Tuesdays they have a “Three pieces for two” offer. “For example, three pieces, at $6, would cost $18, but with this promotion you only pay $12.”
Carpets, bedspreads (from 15 to 21 dollars, depending on the blanket), stuffed animals,
($5 to $15). On the other hand, washing a flu can cost $12, while flu for children costs $8. The shirt and pants cost $6.
Dresses can start at $12-$25, graduation gowns can start at $12, quinceanera dresses can start at $15, and wedding dresses can start at $30.
Fortunato explained that people usually request laundry services for sheets, tablecloths, towels (between $3 and $7) and casual clothing.
Washing a flannel shirt usually costs $4 and rubber shoes usually cost $10.
Fortunato claims that nowadays Venezuelans do not go to the dry cleaners due to costs.
“It’s down 80% from what they had, the situation, the prices, everything is very expensive. We’re trying to see if this improves, maintaining the business to see if we can increase sales.”
He noted that they have been in business for 40 years, however, the number of customers has decreased significantly in recent years.
“Previously we had 45 workers, now there are daily employees who work two or three days a week and are paid by the day. Nowadays it is more of a family business, I work with my wife and son-in-law who comes to help me from time to time.”
She said that they used to work from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, as there was a lot of demand, receiving more than 100 items. “Currently, five or three suits, trousers or bedspreads come in.”
The merchant believes that the dry cleaning business can be revived through the use of social media, such as Instagram, and the incorporation of delivery services.
Straight
Finally, the last stop on our tour of the dry cleanerswas at “Cleaning Press”, which is managed by Sandro Fina and is located in Capuchinos.
Their service consists of receiving the piece, then removing stains and finally washing it. “We then see if it merits dry cleaning. Then it is ironed, bagged and delivered on a hook.”
Colored shirts and pants have a variable price, which starts at $3, as do T-shirts.
White shirts and flannels cost $4, while flus start at $10.
Dresses range from $10 to $20, depending on the type and quality of the outfit.
Graduation gowns cost $10 to maintain, and duvets start at $10. “Up to $15 for a king, which is the largest.”
According to Fina, customers are more likely to request the stain removal service, which costs $3 or more. “Before, people brought their clothes because they didn’t wash them at home, but now people bring them when they are very stained or when they washed them at home and they got stained.”
I clarify that removing stains from white shirts can be a little more expensive, given that this color requires more work.
“White is always a little more expensive because of a product called perborate, which is an imported product and is more expensive.”
The business does not currently have any promotions, as the facilities are being remodeled. “When we finish, we will analyze what plan to offer.”
It does not have a delivery service either.
Sandro Fina explained that the business is about 20 years old, although it used to belong to his father. “He had been in the market for 40 years and if you add up the two generations, it gives an average of 60 years of activity.”
Regarding the debacle that the sector has suffered, Fina believes that it began during the post-pandemic and also due to the economic circumstances of the country.
“This includes low purchasing power and, in addition to the post-Covid-19 pandemic, work decreased by between 60% and 70%.”
The pace of work was strong, as service was provided from Monday to Saturday, and by 2020, around 2,500 pieces were received.
“The garments have an estimated time of two to three days to be shipped, and on Friday, the last day of work, you have to complete all the pieces received during the week. Before the pandemic, we would get to Saturday and not all the pieces would be shipped because the volume was high.”
Today, they usually receive between 200 and 300 pieces a week.
As a business, Cleaning Press aims to resume the industrial service that was supported by the city’s clinics and hospitals.
“We worked with Centro Médico Caracas, for example, and we provided them with dry cleaning services. So we want to follow that line again, to see if it goes back to how it was before.”
Finally, consider that with promotions and advertising on social networks, dry cleaning businesses can be revived.
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2024-08-21 01:44:32
