COMPLAINT: Matt Borden, Evanston, Ill.

"I brought in a tie to be cleaned at Kely Discount Cleaners. It had a small stain, which I pointed out. I returned a few days later to pick it up, and noticed the stain was still there. They said they would try again.

"A week later I went back and the original stain was there, plus new stains and some damage to the material. I was horrified. I discussed this with the person at the counter and she admitted the tie didn't look like that when I first brought it in.

"I asked to speak to the owner or manager, but I was told he'd be in later and call me. The call never came. I called back over several days, always leaving messages and always retelling the story. The owner or manager never returned my calls.

"Finally I went back and he looked at my tie. He said he didn't know what it looked like before, and he couldn't know if it was already damaged. I asked for my money back, $2.25, and received it.

"I pointed to the 'satisfaction guaranteed' sign hanging in the store, which promises $25 to $50 for damaged articles and asked for compensation. He refused.

"He never called again, never returned any messages and never took responsibility for ruining my nice tie."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I seek the maximum monetary amount as stated in their policy for damaged articles."

STATUS: Penalty Box