Home > Life News > Dry cleaner in Ankara faces pressure for charging low prices: 'Why are you charging so little?'

Dry cleaner in Ankara faces pressure for charging low prices: 'Why are you charging so little?'

A dry cleaner working in Ankara was reported by other tradespeople for charging one-third of the price set by his professional chamber. He also stated that he was called by the chamber president.

İHA

İlhami Altun, a dry cleaning shop owner in Ankara, defied inflation and, stating that he was thinking of the public, began charging 130 TL per suit instead of the 400 TL set by the Ankara Chamber of Dry Cleaners, Laundry, General Cleaning, and Carpet Washers. However, tradesman İlhami Altun, who says he has been subjected to mobbing by fellow tradespeople in the region for working at a low rate and has been reported to the chamber many times, rebelled by saying, “My friend, it covers my costs, it's a free economy.”

'A SUIT IS 130 TL AT MY SHOP, THE PRICE SET BY OUR ASSOCIATION AND CHAMBER IS 400 TL'

Setting a price far below the one determined by the chamber he is affiliated with, İlhami Altun said, “So far, there hasn't been the slightest complaint about anything lost, discolored, damaged, or torn. A suit is 130 TL at my shop, the price set by our association and chamber is 400 TL. I do it for one-third of the price, and I earn through volume. I do at least 5-6 machines a day. 1 machine takes at least 25-30 pieces. At 130 TL, it comes to 65 TL per piece. That makes nearly 1350 TL. I deduct 350 TL of this for my electricity and chemicals, and 1000 TL remains per machine. 5 machines at 1000 TL is 5 thousand TL. Some fellow tradespeople ask where I find the work for 5-6 machines. You can show them my shop, friends. I've reached the point where I'm practically walking over the clothes. I am doing top-quality work. If one customer comes out and says, ‘I gave it to you, I didn't like it, it's washed out,’ I am ready to close this shop starting tomorrow,” he stated.

'MY COLLEAGUES ARE REACTING TO ME'

Stating that his chemicals and machines are of high quality, Altun said, “Now my colleagues are reacting to me. If you charge exorbitant prices, of course you can't get business, my friend. The price set by our chamber is 400 lira. If I were to charge 401 TL or 450 TL, which is above the 400 lira, it would mean I am deceiving my public. If I charge below 400 TL, my public supports me. They should appreciate me, they should thank me. My fellow tradesman, you are going even above 400. I am doing it below 400 and I am not left without work. I even work the night shift just to serve my public,” he added.

'OUR CHAMBER PRESIDENT ASKS, 'WHY ARE YOU CHARGING SO LITTLE?''

Stating that the president of the Ankara Chamber of Dry Cleaners, Laundry, General Cleaning, and Carpet Washers criticized him for his low prices, Altun said, “My chamber should be providing me with training, they should be showing me something I don't know. Because I am your member. Or rather, I am your student. Our chamber president calls me and says, ‘İlhami Bey, you are charging cheaply, why are you charging so little?’ My friend, it covers my costs, it's a free economy. What does it have to do with you? Do you collect dues from me? You do. Is there a complaint about me? Is there anything damaged? Is there anyone complaining about me to my public, to my customers? No. What did the fellow tradesman complain about? He complained that I charge cheaply. You should appreciate me, you should give me a plaque. You should be encouraging me,” he said.