Christchurch dress hire businesses are facing a surge in gowns returned heavily soiled, stained, or damaged as the party and school ball season winds down, according to a report published by thepress.co.nz. Operators across the city report that ruined garments are disrupting operations, forcing price increases, and leaving subsequent customers without their booked outfits.
Stains, Mud, and Rips Strain Christchurch Rental Inventories
Storm Benson, owner of Renting with SB, has operated her rental company for eight years. She recently spoke out after noticing a sharp increase in damaged and dirty returned garments. When dresses come back heavily soiled or torn, some pieces can no longer be hired, while others require extensive cleaning and repairs before going back out. Benson told thepress.co.nz that she has had to increase her prices to continue operating.
Benson is also implementing a blacklist for customers who repeatedly return items damaged or fail to take responsibility for the condition of the dresses. Larger rental companies typically offer a damage waiver option at checkout. Benson noted that these waivers cover minor, repairable issues such as small food and drink stains, deodorant or fake tan marks, minor tears, broken straps, and busted zips. However, severe damage bypasses these protections and threatens inventory availability for upcoming events like Cup Week and the races.
Other business owners share similar experiences. Emma Elliman, owner of Love It Loan It, stated that damaged rentals are definitely becoming more common. Elliman shared examples on Instagram, including a reel that surpassed 1 million views. She detailed receiving abusive messages and threats after seeking compensation for ruined clothing, noting that she has removed her phone number from public listings due to spam calls and intimidation. One dress returned to Love It Loan It was completely covered in mud.
Scale of the Damage Across Local Operations
Izzy Shearer, who runs the Christchurch-based business Rent With Iz, manages between 100 and 150 dress hires each week. On a typical week, she might receive one or two dresses back in an extremely dirty state. During peak periods, however, that number can jump to 20 garments returned with heavily soiled hems or significant marks. Shearer recalled that the Christchurch races held the previous year featured wet, difficult weather, including hail, which resulted in a high volume of mud-stained dresses. Despite these challenges, Shearer emphasized that the vast majority of customers treat her inventory with care and respect, acknowledging that accidental damage does happen.
Why rising costs drive up Christchurch dress hire prices
Why are Christchurch dress hire businesses increasing their prices?
Operators like Storm Benson of Renting with SB state that price increases are necessary to cover the rising costs of intensive cleaning, repairs, and stock replacement caused by heavily soiled and damaged returns.
What does a standard dress hire damage waiver cover?
Damage waivers offered by larger rental companies typically cover minor, repairable issues such as small food and drink marks, fake tan or deodorant stains, small rips, broken straps, and busted zips.
How many dresses do local rental businesses handle weekly?
Izzy Shearer of Rent With Iz reports handling between 100 and 150 dress hires on average each week, with up to 20 items occasionally returned with significant marks or heavily soiled hems.
What measures are owners taking against repeat offenders?
Storm Benson has instituted a customer blacklist for individuals who repeatedly return rentals damaged or fail to take responsibility for garment condition, while other owners have removed their phone numbers from public listings due to abusive calls.
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