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Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Jay W (16th Feb 2013 - 19:59:35) I occasionally use the Liphook Launderette for dry cleaning and washing of larger items. Had the misfortune to use it today to wash a duvet and noticed particularly how run-down it is looking these days. Said duvet required a "wool wash". We duly waited for a machine that had such a cycle (a number were labelled "hot and warm washes only"), we paid our dues and off we went. On opening the door at the end of the cycle it was clear the machine had not spun the duvet at all - in fact it didn't even seemed to have drained it. Extremely helpful (not) attendant said it was because we had used the wool cycle and all the machines worked on the warm or hot cycles only. She then pointed to an extremely small and partially worn out label which neither my husband nor I had seen. Our only option (according to the attendant) was to pay again and put the duvet through a warm wash (hoping not to shrink the duvet) because the owner would not give a refund and we obviously could not take a dripping duvet home. She eventually gave us the owner's number so that we could ring him and let him know we were not happy but the number she gave me was incorrect (on purpose?). She then said his number was on a board at the front of the shop - it isn't - or maybe part of it is but there is no code etc. In any event, according to the attendant the owner works at the Post Office and will only be available in the morning so as it was after mid-day there was no point ringing him. Use local services and shops??? Really? Not ever again so far as the launderette is concerned with attitudes and service like that. No investment in premises or customer service that I could see. As my helpful husband pointed out, it wouldn't have cost much more to go and buy a new duvet out of the village!

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - thea (17th Feb 2013 - 18:58:59) I have always found the laundry lady very helpful and she does my service washes very speedily with the non-biological washing powder that my kids need because of eczema. I think the problem is that laundries like this are holding on by a thread - there is so little money to be made that there is no incentive to invest. While the machines can keep going, the laundry will keep going. And then it will be over. The laundrette will close and you will have to get your laundry done at Liphook Drycleaning where they send it away and won't use non-biological powder because it is all done together. I think that those of us who benefit from the laundry should use it while we still can and I would hate it to close prematurely because of complaints like the one above - however strongly you feel about your single unhappy experience.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Janet (16th Jan 2014 - 12:17:03) Unfortunately, I totally concur with the first person. The laundrette is very rundown and half of the machines were out of order. We are new to this area but quite frankly I would rather drive to Guildford, where we used to live, than use these dirty dirty premises. Very disappointing.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Eb (16th Jan 2014 - 13:11:52) The owner is at the post office in hindhead it's a garage as well next to the small parade of shops. I stopped doing my duvets there as the machines were always dirty.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Sarah (16th Jan 2014 - 13:44:52) I've used the launderette on a few occassions, and also found it to be run down. The last time I went was close to closing time and the owner was there and we had a chat about it... in essence, I think that the second poster is right... there is so little revenue in it there is little incentive to invest. I have used other launderettes including the one in Farncombe (which is lovely) and Southsea (which has a pool table and small cafe!) so have seen how they can work... its a shame because it is a service that is fast becoming redundant (although not everyone has the space for a washing machine!).

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - ED (23rd Feb 2015 - 09:15:16) I used this laundrette on Friday 20th Feb 2015, it was not a good experience, despite the owner being helpful and allowing me to stay there until after closing time to get my washing done, I found that it was expensive £4 a wash in the bigger machines one of which failed to extract the water at the end of the cycle leaving me with soaking wet clothes and no choice but to re-wash them in another machine. £4 wasted! The driers at £1 a go took ages to dry my clothes and one of them left my clothes smelling pretty dank so much so that I put them into another drier and went to Sainsburys for some laundry sheets to try and make them smell a bit better. Thankfully it worked! I left a note for the owner telling him of the fault with his machine and asking for a refund of my £4, gave him my number to contact me, surprise, surprise it's now Monday and I have not heard from him. There is no number displayed in the launderette to contact him in case of an emergency or something going wrong which is surely not legal?

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Alison (18th May 2015 - 06:45:38) Is the launderette really that bad? I have a duvet to clean so would be grateful if anyone can recommend somewhere?

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Allison (18th May 2015 - 12:58:35) I have always used the dry cleaners on Station Road for duvets and been very happy. Can't remember how much it was last year. Hope this helps.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Paula (18th May 2015 - 23:28:35) Unfortunately, the owner will not spend any money on the equipment, repairing items himself. The number to reach him on is 01428 605001 but I know he won't give refunds. If only someone would invest, it would be a benefit to the village and people would travel to use it.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Lucy (19th May 2015 - 07:29:48) You're Lucky you even had an attendant! Last time I went in there one of the machines overflowed, covering the floor and we had nothing to clean it up with.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Chris (1st Jul 2015 - 10:30:57) Have read through all the comments above which are all very useful. Was going to take 3 duvets along today for washing but will now take elsewhere. Thanks for the comments!

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - paul (2nd Jul 2015 - 20:30:44) Hi, Try the one at Farncombe. A first class laundrette, clean, very good machines and not a far drive with the Hindhead tunnel. Good luck.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - phill (4th Jul 2015 - 13:43:39) It would appear there clearly is a market out there for a launderette in Liphook. Yes, some investment needed and a bit of imagination to enhance the service (and income) by adding value to the visit- pool table, refreshments, music...any entrepreneurs out there willing to talk to the owner? Station Road is thriving at the moment and it would be a shame to lose one of its longstanding services.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Donna (5th Jul 2015 - 07:18:56) After a "run in" with the owner, as the machine I was using swallowed my money then would not open, I wouldn't use this facility. It's dirty, the floor is always wet/damp and generally, half the machines are out of order I use the one in Alton, there is a lovely lady there, who is really helpful!

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Helen (5th Jul 2015 - 10:02:51) I do not think there would be room for a pool table in the lauderette, the majority of people using it when I have been there have been women, in a majority of 6-1. Just ask home alone Bob!

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Terry (1st Oct 2015 - 17:07:46) Hi. We have used Grayshott Dry Cleaners a couple of times lately to wash duvets & can recommend them for a excellent service. Only cost £13.00 for any double duvet. Very polite & courteous

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Freya (1st Oct 2015 - 17:39:29) It's cheaper to just buy a new duvet and a lot less hassle by the sounds of it.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Richard Knight (6th Jul 2016 - 14:42:01) I just started a new thread - but in case anyone has tracked through all of this - an update. The premises have not been updated, the machines are still mostly broken and only one drier of the 4 that worked could actually dry anything - avoid this until they have upgraded it. We used the Farnham laundrette - it was staffed and the machines all worked.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Emma (31st Dec 2016 - 15:39:17) I used the launderette yesterday and was astounded at the appalling state of it. None of the washing machines actually spin the washing properly and you can physically wring water out of them still. A woman at the same time washed a single blanket and it was as actually dripping water when she removed it!! The machines are all filthy and antiquated as is the entire shop. The tumble dryers can't manage even half a load of washing at a time and don't actually dry the clothes.... they get hot and manage to burn wet clothes!! This is a money making scam failing to provide the service and costing a small fortune! The owner doesn't answer the phone and appeared at 6pm to 'clean up' which consisted of putting the chairs on the machines and emptying the bin and also removed a warning notice a customer had placed on one of the tumble dryers that had started to catch fire! Clearly not concerned about health and safety or burning customers clothes! Anyone would be well advised to find an alternative to this very poor excuse for a launderette!!

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Lorac (2nd Jan 2017 - 12:05:00) Replying to Jay`s piece re Liphook Laundry, we had occasion to use it for a duvet back in the summer, and I`ve never been so appalled at the shabby, dirty presentation of this outlet, and we vowed we`d never use it again. There were very few if any clear instructions on the machines, several were out of use. the soap dispenser was almost unusable and gave scant amounts.Phoning for assistance would have been useless as the time help would be available was just a short window in the day. My god I thought my duvet was going to be ruined or come out more in need of a clean than when it went in!! We resorted to buying a small carton of soap from Sainsbury`s. I think if Health and Safety were asked to assess this business the`d be closed down pronto! Is the proprietor too mean to spend some money to improve it? I`d say "yes, he/she is"

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Dawn Hoskins (2nd Jan 2017 - 16:21:20) A report to Trading Standards is probably the only way forward. If you are paying for a service which you are not receiving then you can ask the owner for your money back and damages if your items are ruined.

Re: Liphook Launderette - Disappointing Service and Shabby - Jay W (2nd Jan 2017 - 18:33:02) My original post was in 2013 - I'm amazed it's managed to keep going in the same style for so long. Such a shame there doesn't appear to have been any further investment in the business. We've never been back since.

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