One Reason I Am Hesitant To Use Coat Check ...

[JGalanos]

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/292790.html

 

[Worker 11811]

That's too bad!

 

But, generally speaking, one who offers a service such as coat check are bound by a duty of reasonable care.

 

There are certain limits to liability that a business or public place can be made to live up to but, if they don't take care of the customer's property in the manner they promised they CAN be on the hook!

 

They took the customer's coat. Everybody knows or SHOULD know that fur coats are valuable. They implicitly promised that somebody would be nearby to watch out for peoples' coats. They also promised that, if somebody couldn't be nearby, the coat room would be secured. If they charge a fee or take tips, the customer has a right to expect that his money will encourage the coat check person to take extra care of their coats.

 

Coat check rooms are supposed to be secured or gated off so the public can't get in. The coat check person is supposed to be on duty at all times or else lock the coat room and take the key with him. Coat check rooms have numbered hangers that must be matched with the correct coat check ticket before giving them back. Coat check personnel are supposed to be trained what to do in the event of a disagreement over which items belong to what person. These are standard things that almost all coat check rooms do. When a person brings his coat to a coat room, he has the right to expect his coat will be there when he gets back.

 

Disclaimers and signs don't have much meaning. Surely a business that offers coat check shouldn't be held liable for every single, little thing that can happen. It isn't right to expect a business to be liable for disasters and acts of God, etc. On the other hand, people have the right to expect a basic level of care when they give their coats to somebody else to take care of while they watch a show. It doesn't matter WHAT is written on that piece of paper.

 

Now... If this was a self-service coat room or if the customer somehow broke the rules. (For instance, by hanging up his own coat when the checker wasn't looking.) If he lost his tag and didn't have other proof that the coat was his, (Monogram, etc.) the business would be off the hook. If there was a fire or a flood or some other kind of unforeseeable accident, they would be off the hook too.

 

All this having been said, I think the final word STILL lies with the customer. Even if you could PROVE that the business or the employee was 100% at fault and you took them to court and won 100% of your claimed damages, wouldn't there still be a "hassle factor" to deal with?

 

I think, if you go to a theater or a restaurant or a club that has a coat room, you should take a few seconds to look around. If the place doesn't look secure or if the coat checker doesn't look like she's "On the Ball" don't give her your coat.

 

There have been some places that have coat check that I wouldn't even drop a cheapo, Wal-Mart windbreaker off at!

 

But, on the other hand, if you go to a nice theater or restaurant, etc., you have the right to expect your things will be there when you get back!

[ReFur]

When you own something that is very valuable, whether a diamond, fur or car, you must consider where you take it, not only for its safety but yours! When I travel I bring only the very basic of jewelry, not for theft reasons - but for safety.

 

On the other-side-of-the-coin, liability is why many establishments will not allow furs to be checked.

 

Another concern, when there is drink and food being served, is to have something dumped on you. Years ago when pubic smoking was acceptable having someone bump the lit cigarette into you was very likely. At least that risk doesn't usually occur any longer.

 

Linda