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American Valet Service
Categories: Local Services Dry Cleaning & Laundry Local Services Shoe Repair Dry Cleaning & Laundry, Shoe Repair [Edit]
4519 Wisconsin Ave NW(between N Albemarle St & N Murdock Mill Rd)
Washington, DC 20016
Neighborhood: Tenleytown
(202) 364-9440
- Nearest Transit:
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Tenleytown Metro Station (Red)
27 reviews for American Valet Service
27 reviews in English
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Review from John M.
Washington, DC
1/12/2012
I have been going to this place for almost 30 years. The dry cleaning is excellent. Occasionally, no matter how good you are, mistakes happen. One of my shirts got damaged while being dry-cleaned. I showed it to the owner (Joe), not knowing what to expect. His response? He pulled out his checkbook and asked me how much it cost. I told him, and he immediately wrote me a check. How rare is that? I've also taken things there to be altered, and shoes to be repaired. I've always been pleased with the work. I'm really shocked to read the negative comments. After having taken my things here for 28 years, I've NEVER had a problem. I'm guessing the bad experiences were due to misunderstandings. I know that Joe stand's behind his work. John M. (a very satisfied customer)
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Review from DC Dad M.
Washington D.C., DC
10/2/2011
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Taken to the Cleaners?" It was inspired by this place. My wife and I had a comforter cleaned and they charged us $30 more than what we were told over the phone. The curly haired owner in his fifties or sixties eventually relented but it was like pulling teeth to get him to do the right thing.
Before the comforter, I brought in my suit, a bunch of shirts and a few ties and it was around $50! If you have to go here, be sure you know the prices AHEAD of time. -
Review from L C.
Washington D.C., DC
2/19/2012
I had several large items laundered here after a particularly stressful personal ordeal, and I cannot speak highly enough of the customer service that Joe provided. When I picked up my belongings, they were exceptionally clean. More importantly, Joe was willing to listen to the details of my story and helped me carry my rather voluminous belongings out of the building, allowing me to actually see where I was going and not collapse under the weight of all my stuff. This was my first experience with American Valet, and will certainly not be my last.
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Review from Alicia G.
4/9/2008
Two of my favorite pairs of black shoes were in serious need of repair. One pair needed to be completely re-soled and the other just needed new heels. A friend had recommended American Valet so I decided to try them out. I also had some dry cleaning to be done so I figured I'd just drop everything off here and see how it turned out.
I stopped in with my stuff on Saturday and I just re-collected my shoes and shirts yesterday. I was so pleased to find my shoes in a wearable state again! They were kind of expensive - but I figured it was still cheaper than going out and buying ONE pair for the same price when I can just fix TWO pairs that I already love. As the guy kept bringing my things to the counter, he knocked down the prices of my shoes and shirts because he saw how expensive it was getting. I think in all, he took $15 off of my total bill which I am ever so grateful for!
I definitely recommend AV if you need your shoes repaired - they will get the job done and it won't cost you your arm AND your leg.Listed in: Van Ness!
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Review from Caroline M.
Washington, DC
11/21/2008
I have been a loyal customer of American Valet for about 6 years now. Seriously, I swear by them. They've done everything from significantly altering dresses to hemming my pants; pressing shirts to dry cleaning my cashmere; it's always done well, and more importantly, done on time.
I've also used their shoe repair service to reheel about 8-10 paids of my most favorite pumps. Typically, their repairs last longer than the heels did the first time they came around.
Bonus Points: who doesn't love the little root beer candies in a bowl as a perk of service?!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Ann L.
5/28/2009
The shoe repair was great and fairly reasonably priced at $11 a pair (something about the way I walk makes sidewalks eat my heels).
However, these people are not magicians and my heels certainly do not look brand new.
Had the person working the desk not given off the vibe that I was completely inconveniencing his viewing of "Family Feud" and had he not almost given me the wrong shoes (make sure you open that bag to check!), they would have received four stars. Too bad, so sad, do your job.Listed in: self-indulgent
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Review from Meg M.
Washington, DC
10/14/2010
I've been here multiple times for shoe repair and have yet to be disappointed; they do a quality job with a decent turnaround time (usually 2-3 days) and for a reasonable price. I've also found their staff to be pretty friendly. For heels I generally pay around $11 for the repair; I was charged $25 for a particularly messed-up pair of fashion boots.
The massive caveat to my review is that this is the only shoe repair place I've ever used (I literally did not wear heels often enough to warrant one until I moved here), so I don't have anything to compare it to. That said, I've never been dissatisfied with my experience. -
Review from Nicole F.
Brooklyn, NY
11/29/2008
This is the only valet in upper NW that I trust for cleaning businesswear. They do an impeccable job, if a bit pricier than other places, and that's important when you invest in your wardrobe. They do a great job on men's shirts, getting the collars and cuffs clean and never leaving extra creases, etc. in the shirt.
They also do a great job on cobbling shoes- I've taken in several kinds of repairs and the work is done quickly and cheaply, and usually you can't tell that the shoe was ever damaged when you get it back.
I would not, however, bring any future alterations here. My boyfriend brought 2 pair of pants to them recently and the seams look pretty bad, and make the one pair hang strangely at the bottom. Additionally, they ruined his $1200 suit by shortening the pant leg when he asked for it to be lengthened. They are now about 3 inches above his shoe and it looks ridiculous. They may be able to be salvaged, but it doesn't look like there is enough fabric left.
So, bring your clothes and shoes here to be cleaned, but take them to a real tailor for alterations! -
Review from Emily C.
Washington, DC
6/8/2011
Do not patronize American Valet. They have done some quality shoe repair for me in the past, but they permanently lost my business tonight after returning a leather bag to me that I had them clean.
The bag was quite dirty, and I did not have high expectations for it being perfectly cleaned, just improved. However, what I received was a bag that was slightly cleaner but also had:
-numerous new stains on it;
-bleach spots on the leather;
-damaged hardware;
-small nicks & cuts all over the bag, including a few that went all the way through.
This bag is ruined! I wish that I did not have it cleaned by them because it is now useless. They did not tell me that this was a risk, they just said "we'll do our best." I was hoping for "do no harm," but instead, they ruined my bag.
In addition to ruining my bag, the owner yelled at me repeatedly, insisted that the tears in the bag were there before, and told me that "the customer is not always right". I will never have any work done there again. -
Review from Candace H.
Washington, DC
11/10/2005
It looks a little dingy or sketchy from the outside, but I LOVE this place. I haven't brought my clothes here to be dry cleaned, but instead I've brought my shoes in to be fixed- three times. The man who works there is awesome and gives discounts to AU students. He's added new tips to my heels and talked to me about bringing my shoes in to get them taken care of for other reasons - keeping my pumps looking great long after I thought I was due to shell out for another pair.
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Review from Amelia S.
Washington, DC
9/25/2006
This is a great place to take your shoes to be repaired, but don't take your drycleaning here! I just had a lightweight trenchcoat, two short skirts, and a shell cleaned and they charged me -- get this -- forty bucks. That is absolutely, positively ridiculous.
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Review from Colleen N.
Washington, DC
12/16/2007
Amazing. I have only taken my shoes here but I am in love. I have had my heels fixed as well as the tips on my shoes. They are usually done in 2 days and look great. The second pair I brought were pretty beat up, 2 days and only $25 later I was ready to go. There hours during week work well for me 7:30am - 6:30pm. I usually just drop off and pick up on my way from work as they are located a few steps from the Tenleytown Metro.
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Review from Ben J.
Washington D.C., DC
2/5/2011
I can't speak to their ability as a cleaner, but the shoe repair is top notch. A battered old pair of Weejuns came out looking better than brand new. An old pair of LL Bean casual shoes, the type not meant to be resoled, were worn right through. They should have seen the bottom side of a trashcan but the leather was broken in so comfortably... Anyway, new soles and a new round of life for them.
To top it all of, the cobbler they have on the premises always has a huge, warm smile on his face.
I'll be sure an make the commute to visit them with all my shoe repair needs in the future. -
Review from Gertrude S.
New York, NY
8/31/2010
If you don't mind shoddy work such a glue left all over your shoes and uneven soles, then American Valet is for you.
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Review from Melissa J.
Washington, DC
6/19/2008
Ive used American Valet twice--and I've been really satisfied with the work they did on my shoes both times. The first time, i wanted them to reinforce the toes on the soles and the heel tips on my heels, and the second time, the elastic had gone out of my sling backs (all of them black). Both times I was happy with their work: it was fast, well done, and not too expensive. They even polished them up to boot!
Their shoe repair saved me a bundle--some of the pairs were so beat up, I thought I was going to have to throw them out. I can't speak to their dry cleaning service, but I highly recommend their shoe repair! -
Review from Carrie K.
Washington, DC
1/10/2011
As far as dry cleaners, the seamstress and overall customer service, it doesn't get better than the crew at American Valet. I stain EVERYTHING and only once or twice in 5 years have they met a stain they couldn't eradicate.
I drive all the way from SE DC to take my cleaning to American Valet!!! When I moved I tried a local cleaner and it was a disaster.
At AV, the owners really care about their customers - really! They stand by their work and will re-do anything if you are not happy.
You do need to be careful about being clear with the seamstress (she is sooo sweet!) - she will sometimes raise a hem a little higher on pants than I like - so I make sure I bring the shoes and always make them a tad lower than she suggests.
I can't say enough about everyone at AV - they always greet you with a smile. I love supporting family businesses - especially when they care about their customers, employees and their community. -
Review from Cindy C.
Washington, DC
1/4/2009
I brought a pair of jeans to be altered by Margaret. The hem turned out fine, and I also asked to have the waist brought in. I was kind of annoyed by the fact that she put in two obvious darts in the back of the jeans, instead of creating one dart and hiding it behind the belt loop like my previous tailor did. The jeans aren't ruined or anything, but I'll probably bring my next pair to someone else. I haven't use them for cleaning or shoe repair so I can't comment on that.
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Review from Jessie D.
Washington, DC
10/22/2008
Tailoring by Margaret:
Top notch tailor. She has adjusted pants, skirts, blouses, long dresses...you name it, she makes it fit me correctly. She has an excellent eye to see how a garment fits and where to adjust. Margaret has taken items in for me that were a size or two too big and made them fit perfectly. Because of her expert tailoring, I can now purchase items on the looser side and adjusted to have a more tailored appearance.
In the review by Faye, she said she could never catch the seamstress - call in advance and see what time she is coming in that day. Margaret works very hard and isn't there non-stop hunched over a sewing machine. She works in the back of the cleaners for a several hours usually in the afternoons. I've never had a problem catching her at a reasonable time of day. Margaret's work is worth going in for if you want a quality tailor who will adjust your clothing to fit you perfectly. She's friendly, sweet, and very personable.
Dry cleaning and shoe repair: Also are top notch. I've had many shoes fixed on the spot with excellent results. All of my dry cleaning comes out perfect and they are great with stubborn stains.
The owner and his team are fantastic. They appreciate repeat business, will get to know your name, and always accommodate anything to ensure they offer excellent customer service. They are a family owned business that cleans the items on site. Your clothing or shoes won't go off-site to someone you have never met. They care about their work.
You can park in the Whole Foods behind them and they'll validate your parking ticket or you can park in their driveway in the back. It's ok to enter through the back door. -
Review from D F.
Washington, DC
11/22/2010
I was very disappointed in repair work done on a pair of jeans. The material had thinned at the thigh and I brought them in to have patches sewn on the inside of both legs at that area. When I got them home, I saw that large patches had been plunked on the area, and scattered stitches applied - the patch was half sewn on, and would have come off at first wear. I could have done a better job myself, and I don't even know how to professionally sew.
One cotton dress, one cotton sweater, one linen blouse, one pair of jeans to patch in two places - and the bill was $65. For THREE items to clean and one to patch shoddily? I don't think so.
Daisy -
Review from Andrew H.
7/11/2009
this place is fairly pricey, but i've generally been satisfied with their outcomes. i've gotten some alternations done there and haven't had any complaints.
if you can find a cheaper and more convenient place...i'd suggest doing that. -
Review from faye b.
Washington, DC
10/14/2008
First, I went by this place after work one day to have some pants tailored. They told me that the seamstress leaves in the early afternoon so there was no one there to pin my pants. Then, I came back one day in the middle of the day and the owner was there. He said that the girls can usually pin the pants and the seamstress can take care of it next time she comes in, but at that time that no one was there at the time to even pin my pants. Then, today I went back in the morning around 8 and again, there was no one there to pin my pants. They told me the seamstress told them not to do the pinning for her anymore.
So, if you want tailoring, don't go to this place in the morning, afternoon or evening. Just go somewhere else. -
Review from Andrea P.
Washington, DC
3/31/2009
In terms of shoe repair, American Valet is the best. I went in with two pairs of shoes to get fixed that day before vacation. The shoe man was apparently out. The head guy that is always there, put a few stitches in one shoe to make them last for my four-day vacation, and as for the other shoes, he was like no worries, they will last four days no problem and just bring them back later. And he didn't charge me for the first repair. Later when i brought them back i got both pairs fixed for $12.75, great deal. I would definitely recommend this place as a great place to get your shoes repaired, definitely what we all need in these financially stressful times.
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Review from Aya D.
Silver Spring, MD
5/8/2010
I have taking my clothes to get cleaned here for over a year now and they always do a fantastic job! They are conveniently located near the Tenleytown/AU Metro so if you don't have a car its not too far; just across the street. I have also taken my shoes to get fixed there. They were done in only a couple of days and the results were great!
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Review from Irina D.
Washington, DC
5/8/2009
While I think this place is pricey in general, I am very satisfied with the results of my shoe repairs. The only downside is that I do not like the idea of a down payment. There is a place a block away that does not have such a silly requirement and they do a decent shoe repair job as well.
I have brought in my pants (both dress and jeans) to be altered here: the dress pants job was very poorly done. I think they came undone after a few washes and I had to have my mom redo them when I went home for the the holidays. However, they did a great job on the jeans. S -
Review from Craig A.
Bethesda, MD
12/18/2010
I have brought three different pairs of shoes here for new soles and refurbishment during the past five years. They resoled and refurbished two of my shoes twice. They have done a great job each time in making my heavily used shoes almost new. I have never used these guys for dry cleaning. But they do excellent shoe repairs.
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Review from Mel B.
Washington, DC
5/20/2007
I love this place! I have had some HORRENDOUS experiences with drycleaners close to me in Woodley Park (see my Yelp review on Debonair Cleaners for more information on that) so I went back to my roots- bringing my drycleaning back to where I brought it when I was in college at AU: American Valet next to Guapos in Tenleytown. They have been there for 50 years so they really know their stuff and take great pride in it- you can't be a crappy service provider in DC, especially messing around with suits and work clothes in this city. The seamstress is my favorite part- I take all my pants to her to get taken in and she is VERY good at what she does and makes my pants fit flawlessly without any mistakes. They can be a little pricey I guess, but I am super happy with them and their work, they are proud of what they do, good well-established business people. The owner knows people when they walk in and calls them by name and they have a great bowl of assorted hard candies all the time which makes your visit that much more pleasant. It has a small-town feel in a busy city. I give it 4 stars probably because I haven't experienced all their services like shoe repair, but they definitely have a lifelong customer out of me as long as I live in DC.
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Review from Sunny D.
Washington, DC
2/2/2010
(this review is for shoe repair only.)
got my boot repaired here and was very pleased with the results. i'll admit that after my experience at cleveland park valet, almost anything would've pleased me, but still, i'll give AVS 4 stars. they were fast - even though when i arrived it was completely crowded with customers, i got to the front of the line quickly. they were friendly and honest, telling me they couldn't fix my boots to look exactly the same, but could close the hole and get it as close to the seam as possible (the rip was right next to the seamline). and the price of $15 was reasonable to me (considering what i'd paid for the boots originally). when i returned to p/u the boot, they opened the bag and showed it to me to inspect and to make sure they were giving me the correct shoe. it looked great, and i don't think anyone could tell i had them repaired or that there was ever a tear unless i had my feet in their face!
i see that there are a few bad reviews for their tailoring services, and i'm kind of bummed about that b/c i was planning to go back with a coat that i just ripped, but i'd rather not take the risk. i'll go back for shoes though. i already have 2 pair by the door, ready to go.
