I went to Martha's dry cleaning with some items to be dry cleaned. Martha asked me if I had been…read morethere before, and I said yes. She asked for my phone number and entered it into her computer. I guess my information wasn't in the system. She told me that I had not been there before. I reminded her that I had been there before and that she shortened the sleeves on my daughter's coat a couple of years ago. She did not respond.
Martha abruptly placed a post-it and pen on the counter in front of me, without instruction. I asked what did she want me to write down. She stated, "name and number." So I did. I then placed my clothing items on the counter. One item was cotton, lined with a thin faux leather trim. Martha inspected it with a disgusted look on her face and stated multiple times, "This is fake leather. This is fake." Feeling a little embarrassed, I said oh ok. I was glad no one else was in the store to see my face turn red from embarrassment. She told me if she cleaned it the trim would possibly crack. I asked if there were any alternative ways to clean it. She said no. I said ok I'll take a chance. She then inspected another knee-length custom-made dress. She begrudgingly stated, "There's no tag". I said I know, it's handmade. She tossed it back on the counter.
In total, I wanted six items dry-cleaned. Martha proceeded to input information about my articles of clothing and then placed an invoice on the counter and slid it over to me. The invoice amount was $128. Martha then stated, "You're going to have to put down a 50% deposit since it's over $90." I was shocked. I said, umm, ok, I'll take some items off. I took back three items, which made the price under $90. I told Martha to just dry-clean the remaining three items. Martha responded, "You still have to pay a 50% deposit." I asked her why since the total was now under $90. She responded, "Because I don't know if you're not going to come back and pay."
As an African-American woman, I suddenly sensed that I was experiencing racism, and felt a sickening injustice feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I felt so small. As a Special Education educator with over 17 years of experience, with a Master's degree from a notable MA university and holder of three educational licenses, I felt like a little girl and just wanted to crawl into a hole and cry. I was, however, grateful my elementary-aged son was in the car reading, and did not have to witness this injustice towards his mother. I was glad I didn't have to explain why, I STILL had to pay a 50% deposit even though the price was now under $90.
After Martha's on-the-spot policy change and her insistence that I STILL pay a 50% deposit, I picked up my clothing and simply walked out. Martha did not even say, bye.
