My wife and I had a regrettable experience with elder Melba Rakow, the owner of Sew N Sew Alterations. We took four garments in for an estimate on Friday, August 2, 2024, but the process quickly turned sour.
During our visit, Maria, the tailor, informed my wife that altering sleeves would cost an additional $20 to $25, which my wife declined. She was measured for waist alterations but did not request an estimate at that time. Not until September 3rd was my wife able to return to Sew N Sew to obtain an estimate, Maria asked her to provide her name and number for the owner, indicating that Melba would call.
On September 5, 2024, we received a voicemail from Melba, stating an estimate of $95 for the four garments. Here's the voicemail in full:
"Yes, hi this is Sew-n-Sew Alterations, and this message is for Karissa. Um, I was looking at your items, and the stripe blouse, the green blouse, and the brown blouse, are all gonna be right around twenty-five each. The top with the sides in is around twenty if she doesn't have to cut into the binding. Um, you never know so that could work up to twenty-five or more too, but I don't think she's going to be, you know, doing that. So, that's the only difference that I see, but the total of it would be right around ninety-five, and if that other thing changes, it might be more, or if it's quicker and smooth going, then it might be less. So, um it's around ninety-five anyway. Give us a call if you want us to continue. Thank you."
This voicemail highlights the lack of clarity regarding approval. Melba's message indicates that the estimate is approximately $95, but phrases like "right around" and "might be more" convey uncertainty.
The phrase "Give us a call if you want us to continue" clearly implies that no work would commence without further communication and explicit approval from my wife. At no point did Melba confirm that my wife approved the alterations.
It wasn't until September 12 that my wife was able to call and decline the alterations. So, we were completely shocked to receive another voicemail the next day stating that the items are ready for pickup, because again my wife never approved the alterations. In fact, she declined them.
[It's important to note that we've never met Melba, and at no point does Melba ever identify herself by name during the voicemails. I only know that Melba is the owner of Sew N Sew because various websites indicate that she is.]
Then, on October 4, Melba left a message addressing the bill but failed to acknowledge that the alterations had never been approved.
So, I called Melba to discuss this situation, she insisted that my wife was aware of the costs, ignoring the fact that approval was never given. Despite my proposal to settle for half the bill, she refused and even threatened to donate our clothes to a thrift store.
Elder Melba Rakow, you have disrespected us, dishonored us, and treated us unethically. If you do not contact us within 48 hours from October 5, 2024, to return my wife's garments, we will escalate this matter to the Nevada Attorney General's Office, the Nevada Division of Consumer Protection, and the Nevada Consumer Affairs Office. read more
