Barbara Ann’s Alterations and Dry Cleaning

I have used Barbra Ann’s for over 20 years for alterations and mending, and the work has always been excellent and I think the price is more than fair. I recently brought in two things that needed mending and they were finished right away and the price was great. You may need to wait a few days to get something done but it will be done right and well worth the wait.

Twice I have come here (once for alterations and once for cleaning) she is rude and acts like she doesn’t want my business. The first time I came in with my dad so he could get alterations on a shirt. She instantly got an attitude when he was explaining what he needed done. At first, I thought she was just having a bad day, but after my second experience, I think there’s more to it than that.
I cam in the second time on a Saturday morning for a dry cleaning. She told me that I wouldn’t get my item back until Tuesday afternoon «at the earliest». When I asked if there was any way I could get it earlier (I needed my item Monday night), she got angry and barked back, «I only have only two other items and I’m not running my machine unless I have a full load.» Then she said condescendingly, «You should have brought it in earlier.»
I will not bring any more business to this place, nor recommend anyone to her. Her customer service skills just plain suck.

I have gone here since I was in high school. She did my prom dress, wedding dress and everything in between!!! Best work I have ever seen!

I really wanted to give them more stars, I had heard such good things. The alterations are so far, so good. However, I am still waiting on a dress that was supposed to be done almost 2 weeks ago. I know they are busy with proms and wedding season, and I am trying to be considerate of that, however, I am a paying customer who paid up front and was told my items would be finished almost 2 weeks ago. I am still waiting…
I could have gone elsewhere for a quicker turnaround for most likely the same quality.

I usually go to another seamstress. But, she was sick and out for an indefinite time. My daughter needed a dress for a play altered so I called Barbara Ann’s and was told they could get it done in time, no problem It wasn’t a rush job, she had a week to complete the work. I knew the dress needed to be taken in at the bust and shoulders. We’ve had this done on other dresses by the other seamstress and it runs around $ 15. We had a formal gown for a wedding altered by the other seamstress several months back and it was only $ 15 for these very minor alterations.
I took my daughter in to be fitted at Barbara Ann’s and started to explain to the lady that I was the one that called about the costume. She immediately, very rudely, interrupted me and said that she gets tons of calls so there is no way she could possibly remember me. That’s fine but, it was such a rude response. And, I didn’t expect her to remember me, I was just letting her know that we had called about getting the costume altered and that we needed it by a certain time and just wanted to make sure she could still accommodate that.
So, my daughter tries the dress on and, as expected, all that needed to be done were minor alterations — the dress is sleeveless so the shoulders just needed to be taken up a bit and the bust was a bit big but already had darts so the darts just needed to be taken in a bit. I was quoted $ 30! $ 30 for very minor alterations. Unfortunately, we were on a deadline so I didn’t have a choice but, just to see if I was maybe wrong and the price was in the range of normal, I did call a few other alteration places who felt that was very expensive. The all quoted me between $ 12 — $ 18.
So, I went to pick up the dress and she’s on the phone — a personal phone call — and doesn’t bother hanging up or putting the phone down while I’m there. Again, just sort of rude and off putting.
The quality of the work seems fine but, her rude, off putting nature and the face that she’s incredibly expensive means that I won’t be back.

I needed a clean and pressed shirt for a presentation and brought it over to this dry cleaner. I brought it in in the early afternoon and needed it by 6 PM. Although I don’t believe they offer same-​day service, let alone few hours service, they were completely accommodating and courteous.

I’m really curious about these 1 star reviews.
For example, why would one reviewer go «a few times» to a business where she was (a) treated rudely (b) made to wait longer than quoted and © the work isn’t good?
And this other reviewer has a very vague critique… If you’re going to write a bad review, being more specific would help other people.
Barbara Ann’s has been in business for decades. DECADES. Please take the bad reviews with a grain of salt. Even if they’re 100% true, you’ve got to know a business cannot stay open for that long if they really stink.
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My review
Since moving to Mesa about a year and a half ago I’ve gone to Barbara Ann’s Alterations on 4 different occasions. Never used the laundry services, just the repairs and such. I’ve had a couple of long pants hemmed and then 2 pairs of blue jeans repaired (one of which was over 13 months ago and they’re holding up perfectly) and most recently she is sewing some patches on something for us (dropped off 2 days ago and got a call that they’re ready this afternoon — so I can only attest to the price and speed, though I have no doubt it’s a fine job.)
The repairs were all done even more quickly than I needed them. For example, the patches (there are 15) were done in 2 days and she said «a few days.»
The repairs have all been good, great even. My favorite jeans ripped on the seam in the thigh area like a month after getting them. I guess not well made… but they’ve hung in there just fine since August of 2013 when Barbara Ann repaired them. Neither of the hems have ever come undone.
But I’ll tell you what. This is a nice lady. I’m genuinely shocked that both of these reviewers say she was rude. I don’t know that she has anyone else that works there as the owner is the only one I’ve ever dealt with. She’s welcoming. And chatty. Every single time I’ve been there I always end up talking with her for a minimum of 5 minutes past when our business is done.
Prices are markedly cheaper than any other tailor I’ve used.
She speaks fluent English. (I just thought I’d mention it, For some it matters.)
The alterations shop is very clean.
Easy location and enough parking, though there’s still road construction on
Southern that’s eventually got to end, despite the fact that it seems like that
will never ever ever happen.

I’ve been here a few times and each time, my alterations have taken longer than quoted and without notice, and the service I have gotten is more-​or-​less rude. I have also had things measured on me there ahead of time which still did not fit properly after being altered.

I love Barbara Ann, she is a very funny and a nice honest person. She is the only one I trust to work on my alterations or dry cleaning. She does all the work along side her husband! They are both very honest nice people. I highly recommend Barbara Ann’s to everyone that asks me if I know anyone who does dry cleaning and or alterations! I’ve never had to take back any of my clothes for her to fix up! She does such a great job! I will never use anyone else but these people!

I have been using them for years! Wonderful work and great attention to detail.