RAVE FabriCARE is not a “value priced” or “competitively priced” cleaner. We do not run daily, weekly and monthly specials. We do not coupon. We do not offer volume discounts.
At RAVE FabriCARE, we deliver extraordinary care for fine garments, household textiles and accessories.
And we price our services accordingly.
As the leader in true quality care for fine garments, household textiles and accessories in Arizona, our prices are set at a level which affords us the opportunity to concentrate solely on the quality of our work and to sustain that quality over the long term.
By contrast, the focus of the vast majority of ordinary cleaners can be summed up in two words: quantity and speed.
Essentially, this means pushing more and more garments (quantity) faster and faster (speed) through their “production system.” They’re in by 11:00 and out by 5:00; picked up on day 1 and delivered on day 3.
At ordinary cleaners, production efficiency is the holy grail of their entire operation.
Of course, no ordinary cleaner will admit to this.
So they continue to promote the idea that they deliver
But given their consistently lower price structure, it’s clear that the long-term economic viability of their enterprise depends solely on quantity and speed.
Not quality of work.
Which is fine if you’re manufacturing standardized widgets. But absolute heresy when you’ve been entrusted with the custom cleaning and finishing of a client’s fine garments, household textiles and accessories. Especially their fine bespoke, made-to-measure, designer, high fashion, specialty and couture garments.
The bottom line?
Low price is the last refuge of dry cleaners who don’t care enough to deliver a garment, household textile or accessory actually worth paying for.
In your experience, how often is the cheaper or cheapest choice the best choice?
It’s for this reason that we always tell our clients that it’s important to know what you’re paying. But it’s even more important to know what you’re paying FOR.
And what are you paying for? Take our 5 minute Grade Your Cleaner test.
Garment care at the bespoke, made-to-measure, designer, high-fashion, specialty and couture level involves specialized procedures, processes, equipment and facilities. And lots and lots of technically skilled labor.
If you encounter low to moderate prices at the bespoke, made-to-measure, designer, high-fashion, specialty and couture level of garment care, you can be absolutely assured that they’re cutting costs by cutting corners.
In every facet of their operation – from cleaning and finishing to inspection and packaging.
All this, despite the fact that that their slogans include “The relentless pursuit of textile perfection”, “The art of clean” and “We deliver the exquisite”.
Low to moderate prices in the metro Phoenix area would be $10.00 to $25.00 for a 2 piece suit (dry cleaning), $5.00 to $12.50 for a trouser/slacks (dry cleaned) and $2.50 to $10.00 for a dress shirt (laundered).
It’s a simple concept…
The Four Seasons and The Ritz Carlton cannot consistently provide a first class hotel room for the price of a Sheraton or Holiday Inn while maintaining their existing quality standards.
Morton’s and Ruth’s Chris cannot consistently serve a prime quality steak for the price of a Sizzler or Lone Star while maintaining their existing quality standards.
And BMW and Mercedes won’t ever be able to deliver a vehicle for the price of a Kia while maintaining their existing quality standards.
True quality cleaning is no different.
Unlike ordinary cleaners, we do not have a single price for a specific category of garment, say slacks/trousers, blouses/shirts, blazers/sport coats or suits.
Prices will vary according to factors such as fabric, construction, color, trim, soiling, cleaning process to be used, labor time invested, and the like.
For example, there will be a significant variance in price between a Tommy Bahama black long sleeve silk blouse and a Chanel black long sleeve silk blouse with white collar and cuffs, signature buttons, and pleated front bib.
We’re always happy to provide you with a specific price quote upon physical inspection of your garment, household textile or accessory. Please be patient as this pricing step may take a few minutes, particularly if the order involves multiple pieces.
When we do provide a specific price or a specific price range quote, we will always note that price quote on the ticket provided to you when you drop off your cleaning.
Some ordinary dry cleaners have, in recent years, grasped onto the notion that they can generate additional revenue with almost no additional effort by offering two or three “levels of quality” – each with their own corresponding pricing structure.
Typically, these ordinary cleaners identify their multi-level quality/pricing structures with a special names such as their “everyday service”, their “expert service” and their “couture” service. Or their diamond, platinum and gold service. Or their classic, deluxe and signature service. Or their basic, classic and artisan service.
Fundamental to this idea is the ludicrous notion that it’s possible to serve every market segment simultaneously using the exact same personnel, procedures, processes, technologies, equipment and facilities.
The marketing implication, of course, is that there is something fundamentally different in the quality of the product they produce for each different price level.
Truth is, if you eliminated the different packaging associated with each “level of quality”, there’s practically no difference in the quality of the product amongst those different price levels.
Same product. Different packaging. Different prices.
The problem with offering multiple levels of quality is that multiple levels of quality requires multiple sets of skills – a different set of skills for each “level of quality” offered.
So the big question is this: Is it possible for a dry cleaner to employ multiple skill sets across all areas of operations – from cleaning to finishing to inspection to repairs to packaging – within the same facility?
And the answer?
It’s not possible.
It’s impossibly cost prohibitive.
Why?
Because multiple levels of quality is a slippery slope. Once you start, you can’t stop.
After a while, all three “levels of quality” merge into one and the only true level of quality produced is the lowest level of quality.
Quite frankly, the very idea is absurd.
If we told you that Morton’s, Denny’s and McDonald’s had jointly decided that they would henceforth operate from a single building with three separate seating areas, but that they would share the same kitchen, share the same chefs, share the same servers and share the same food suppliers you would tell us that that was the most idiotic idea you’d ever heard of.
Well, that’s exactly what these ordinary cleaners are telling you.
And many customers buy that irrational and non-executable idea hook, line and sinker.
At RAVE FabriCARE, we have always offered only one level of quality of product and one price structure.
We’d never, ever consider offering multiple levels of quality.
We’d never, ever compromise or short cut our commitment to extraordinary care.
We’d sooner lock the doors, throw away the keys and move to the Coast.
Here’s a fairly typical call we receive: “How much do you charge to clean a dress?” “How much do you charge for shirts?” “What’s the price of a comforter?” “What about a handbag?”
Unfortunately, there’s no way to accurately answer such questions other than to say that “it all depends” – it all depends on many different factors, including, but not limited to fabric, animal skin, construction, color, trim, soiling, cleaning process to be used, labor time invested, and the like.
The problem with providing price quotes over the phone is simple: If we provided a a specific price quote or a specific price range based on a client’s best attempt to describe the item and it’s associated problems over the phone, someone will drop off a garment, household textile or accessory and, upon picking up that item, inform us that he/she was told that the price would be $X.
How was that price determined?
No one knows.
Who provided that price?
No one knows.
As a result, we do not provide specific price quotes or price ranges over the telephone.
In this regard, a true quality dry cleaner is much like your dentist. Your dentist cannot provide a price quote over the telephone without first examining your mouth to determine the extent of the work to be performed.
That being said, if you brought in or mailed in a garment, household textile or accessory to our facility and we had the opportunity to access the item and estimate the labor associated with cleaning and/or restoring the item, we should be able to provide you with a specific quote, or, at the very least, a specific price range.
In every instance where a specific price or price range is provided, we will note that price or price range on your receipt when you drop off the item.
Accordingly, we do not honor any “price quotes” of the “someone-told-me-it-would-cost-$X” variety.
We don’t follow the industry practice of adding an environmental tax, fee or surcharge of 3% to 6% to each invoice.
That’s because we view compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations as just another business expense, not an additional revenue source.
Unfortunately, the term “environmental tax, surcharge or fee” is misleading and has led many consumers to believe that this “price adjustment” is a tax of some sort that must be collected by cleaners and forwarded to a federal, state or local agency.
Truth is, there’s no such tax in Arizona. It’s merely a sham device designed to generate additional revenue.
Adding an environmental surcharge to your cleaning bill is like a bar or restaurant charging for the use of the restroom.
From time to time, every business must make adjustments to their price structure in response to changes in business operating conditions. Accordingly, RAVE FabriCARE reserves the right to adjust our minimum, average and maximum prices for any garment, household textile or accessory, with or without prior written notice.
Any changes in price structure will affect all clients equally as our prices for in-store service, pickup and delivery service and nationwide clean by mail service are identical.
At RAVE FabriCARE, setting prices is the easy part.
Consistently delivering on our commitment to extraordinary care – every item, every order – now that’s the complicated part.
And that’s the difference between true quality fabricare and ordinary cleaning.
We trust you will find our prices commensurate with the extraordinary care we deliver.
“I've been bringing my business attire and designer clothing here for over 10 years. Nobody comes close to RAVE and they have the awards and reputation to prove it. People ship their clothing from all around the world here and once you've seen and felt the difference you'll know why. The owner, Stu, is an absolute encyclopedia of knowledge. Yes, it's complicated but, if you have a question, he's got the answer. Sure it costs a lot but it's not a place you would bring off the rack clothes. I've had dress shirts that are tailored last as long as I've been coming here. They still look new after 10 years! Would you rather pay $50-$75 for a white dress shirt and have it fall apart after 2 years of use after taking it to a corner dry cleaner, or pay $500-$750 for a tailored shirt that looks great, that you can use and keep looking new for over a decade? The break even is about 4.8 years if you're buying a tailored shirt and bringing it here to have cleaned. You can look cheap and pay for a cheaper cleaner, or you can dress to impress, pay the same amount over time and have your amazing clothes last! Thank you RAVE. You've never let me down!!”yelp.com
“I can't thank RAVE enough for their service. I got oil on my best suit and was recommended to RAVE by the store I got my suit. I was certain my suit would be damaged since I naively tried wiping the oil away with a wet napkin. The suit came back from RAVE better than ever. They even take the time to remove all of the buttons and reapply them. Although the prices are high relative to other cleaners, you can tell the pride they take in their service and it was worth every penny to have my suit looking better than new. Thank you RAVE!”yelp.com
“I send all my custom bespoke suits once a year to freshen them up. One 100% wool suit had accidentally been put into a washing machine (blasphemy!) and they managed to restore it to the point that my tailor could not tell it had been wet-washed until she inspected the inner lining. They make magic at this place. Pricey, but worth it.”google.com
“The clothes come out looking like new and, in some cases, better than new. Antique Italian silk dresses are beautifully cleaned and renewed. Worth every penny spent here! Handbag repair is excellent also.”google.com
“Previously, I used cleaners who were close and convenient, figuring they all used basically the same process. My last service before RAVE sent back my dress shirts with yellowish collars. Figuring the shirts were just old and worn out, I planned to throw them out but decided to try RAVE. RAVE is incredible. I wear my shirts now for 3, sometimes 4 days and they always come back perfect. Visit them and have the owner explain his process for cleaning shirts. It is different. I'm careful with money, shop deals and drive an old Honda. But looking professional is part of my career, and I wear Canali suits and ties every day. My clothes will last much longer now that I use RAVE. Pricy but absolutely worth it.”google.com
“I wear higher-end men's clothing: Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece, Grieves & Hawkes, and similar marks. When my clothing needs to be cleaned, I ship it to RAVE FabriCARE. Yes, they charge more, and transit adds time and cost, but they are simply the best. I am a very satisfied customer.”yelp.com
“I use RAVE only for “special” items because they are SO expensive. I fully recognize that they do the very BEST job of any cleaner, anywhere. They don't use any harmful chemicals that will (eventually) ruin your things, make white things dull, etc. To my knowledge there is no other “master cleaner” here in the Valley, so they can afford to charge the prices they charge. But you could almost buy a new item after having it cleaned several times, for the price you will pay. My suggestion: Save them for those very, very special things and pay the price – happily.”yelp.com
“OK... let's start with the obvious...they aren't cheap. But if you have high quality clothes, they are the only place in town to take them. I have over 20 dress shirts, each over $250 and there's no way I'd take them to a discount cleaners. They also do a great job getting stains out. If I'm going to spend $2,500 on a suit, I've got no problem spending a little more to make sure it gets cleaned properly.”yelp.com
“I sent these folks a beautiful sweater that had been attacked by moths before I even got a chance to wear it. They did an amazing job of repairing the holes. Even in the smooth fabric, it's nearly impossible to spot the holes. They cleaned it and sent it back to me beautifully packaged, so that it arrived without a single wrinkle. Absolutely first rate service. Worth every penny of their very reasonable charges.”yelp.com
“RAVE was recommended several years ago while we were visiting Scottsdale by a fashion industry professional. My wife and I enjoy collecting fashion items and found that RAVE can restore vintage designer pieces with great success. Stu's knowledge of fabric manufacture and cleaning techniques allow him to evaluate the best method of restoring a garment. They remove buttons prior to cleaning, which is worth the cost when the buttons are irreplaceable. We have been sending dress shirts, suits and dresses to RAVE several times a year. They are not your neighborhood cleaners and they are not priced as such. For clothing that matters they are the only place I would recommend.”yelp.com
“I received my clothing on Monday and I want you to know that I think you do amazing work. My tan suit has been effectively “reborn” and has earned a spot back in my rotation of summer suits. The navy suit is as crisp as I have ever seen it. There remains one spot on the front of the left shoulder (I thought it was my wife's makeup) that I assume was not amenable to you magic but the overall appearance of the suit is still greatly improved. I will readily admit that I thought your prices were just as breathtaking as the quality of our work, but, even still, I feel that you deliver solid value for the money. Thanks again for working your magic on my beloved clothing! I now know first hand why you are so highly regarded on the A Suitable Wardrobe blog!!”
“…most dry cleaners are really harsh on suits. If you don't mind paying the extra money, I recommend using RAVE FabriCARE instead. They'll be a bit more expensive – especially with the shipping back and forth – but they're one of the few dry cleaners in the country who really know how to take care of tailored clothing (and most everything else). Possibly worth it if you have something exceptionally well-made and is special to you.”putthison.com
“Have you tried RAVE FabriCARE? Mail it to them in AZ and they will ship back to your home. Pricey but they do a great job. They definitely know how to sew a shank and iron a great lapel. They remove all jacket buttons before pressing and then re-sew them.”styleforum.net
“Had a nice BB Country Club shirt that got some dark blue dye on the sleeve (no idea where it was from – looked like I washed it with a pair of denim). I tried every home remedy to remove the dye to literally no effect. Took it to my regular dry cleaner to have it laundered to similarly imperceptible results. Having heard of RAVE from Put This On, I figured I'd rather be out the $15 to clean the shirt than be out the price of the shirt itself. When I brought it in, they acted like the dye transfer was no big deal and said they'd probably get it out through a “whitening treatment.” Picked the shirt up today and not only was the dye completely removed, the shirt is whiter than it was when it was new. To be honest, it felt a little magical. I also had some similar-looking indigo transfer on some dress chinos – they got that out similarly. Spent $40 to save what had otherwise been unsalvageable damage to some really nice clothes. Felt like old money for once in my life. RAVE lives up to their reputation as expert cleaners.”styleforum.net
“RAVE FabriCARE in Scottsdale is probably the best cleaner in the country. I use their Nationwide Clean By Mail program. More expensive though.”styleforum.net
“Non-billionaires may not be able to afford sending everything to RAVE every time, but for suits and jackets the added expense is worth the peace of mind. Your garment will come back spotless, professionally pressed, and often seemingly in better condition than it was upon being shipped to them in the first place. Contrast this with just about any neighborhood cleaner in the United States, in which you stand a roughly 50:50 chance of having a suit machine-pressed into unrecognizable shape. It's cheaper, but is saving a few bucks worth a complete dice roll on the longevity of your item?”styleforum.net
“As soon as you enter, you realize this is no ordinary dry cleaner. If you have a chance to chat with the owner, Stu Bloom, you realize this man is passionate about dry cleaning. I've been going to RAVE for the past year, and hands down, they are the best cleaners I have ever used. There knowledge and expertise regarding the cleaning process and their attention to detail is extraordinary. My garments look better than new when I pick them up. You will pay more than your average cleaner here, but if you're a stickler for quality, it's worth it.”yelp.com
“This is simply the best cleaner in the nation. Those looking for an inexpensive cleaner, be warned. RAVE is pricy, but worth every dollar spent. I wear suits and sport coats on a daily basis and have had horrible experiences with different cleaners. Issues from cracked buttons, to them not pressing the jacket correctly, I was fed up. I met Stu at my place of employment (they offer free pick up and delivery at my place of employment) and told me about his establishment. I decided to give him a try. Well, a week later I spilled expresso on my trousers. I tried my local cleaners but they were unable to get a simple coffee stain out. I finally tried RAVE and sent my whole suit to be cleaned, and it came back a week later looking like new. The lapels are hand pressed giving it that rolled factor (there is nothing worse than a suit with lapels that have no life). For those that have had a suit made, bespoke or MTM, you understand the importance of a lapel brimmed with life. I've also had a wonderful 3 button roll sport coat (3 button coat that looks like a 2 button) cleaned and was pleased when it came back pressed to accommodate the roll. I love the fact that RAVE will take the buttons off and have your coat cleaned and then sew them back on. No more cracked horn buttons!! Yes!! Lastly RAVE is a miracle worker when it comes to white shirts. The shirt RAVE cleaned was my first custom shirt ever by Zegna. It had obvious signs of wear, many launderings, and god awful yellow armpit stains. RAVE was able to make the shirt look brand new! In conclusion, if you're looking for a "cheap" cleaner, RAVE is not the cleaner for you. But remember, you get what you pay for. RAVE FabriCARE is worth every penny. And on a final note, RAVE is used by Saville Row tailors. If the best suit makers in the world use RAVE, then you know RAVE is simply the best.”yelp.com
“Stu at RAVE is an old school artisan who understands stains and cloth. His business is quality hand cleaning of garments, not tubs of shirts at $2.49 on a hanger. I priced out Jeeves in NYC for some Hermes scarves that needed help. Stu did a better job at half the price. I do not live in Arizona so our transaction took place completely thru email and UPS. The scarves were returned on a tissue covered board - a real presentation. Just perfect. He saved one I thought was lost and brightened the color a good bit. I can only imagine how dresses come out. I am about to try an ochre silk covered with breading from the 40s. If you have good clothing this is a way to help them last longer. If you have an ugly spot, he can probably find something to remove it and not hurt the cloth. A fine place all round.”yelp.com