I was initially very happy with my experience at Hillside - no wait, clothes were ready when promised, not too expensive for the area - but when I took my dress off the hanger yesterday I changed my mind. The dress had a thin ribbon sash when I sent it to the cleaners. It no longer has said sash. This pretty much makes the dress unwearable, which negates the whole "good prices" aspect of this cleaners. Based on their attitude when I just went in there to inquire as to if the sash was misplaced/if I might be able to get it back, I am not hopeful for its return. I would think they would be more helpful and conciliatory considering that they made my dress unwearable, but they more or less gave me the brush-off. Time to go buy a new dress and find a new dry cleaners... read more

Slow, expensive... They try, but really need to improve!

I brought two pairs of pants for hemming on a Monday afternoon, and was told they would be ready Thursday after 5. I stopped by Thursday afternoon, and was told the pants weren't ready yet. It was before 5, so I admitted error, and left. I went back after 5, and the pants weren't ready. The seamstress, with a great sigh, took off her coat, and started trying to find my pants, in a pile of wrinkled clothes. She then proceeded to hem both pairs, while I waited. And then charged me $13 each for the pleasure. No apologies for the wait. I am giving the second star because, at least, the hemming seems to have been adequately done, but the service was truly abysmal. read more

I had to use this dry-cleaning service as it was the service my building used. However, if I had my choice I would have quickly switched to another service. The first problem I ran into was the fact that they lost a pair of my dress pants. Normally my pants were returned quickly (within 3 days), but after two weeks they had not come back. I decided to call and the management tried to blame everything on the doorman at my building or the delivery man, not Hillside. My doorman is trustworthy and said they were not delivered. Finally after several more calls to Hillside the pants magically reappeared a month later (kind of as if they found them somewhere and just tried to act like everything was fine). These type of instances were not uncommon when dealing with this company. Additionally, there was an error on my bill one month where Hillside charged me $30 for the drycleaning of a blanket that was not only not mine, but it didn't even come from my building. I called again (took several calls to finally talk to the manager) and was able to convince them to give me a $30 credit back onto my credit card. I was pretty happy that they would do this for me. However, it is now 6 months later and no credit has been given. I have called back multiple times to remind them and each time the manager tells me she will make sure it happens this time. It still hasn't and I have lost faith that it will. Thankfully I moved away from Boston, so I never have to deal with this disorganized company again. Maybe my situation was just terribly unlucky, but I would use this company with caution. read more

-Rude service (towards me and other customers). I felt uncomfortable the entire time I was in the shop. (Let me tell you from watching them deal with others, that the customer is not given the benefit of the doubt). -RUINED my jeans with a very simple hole patch--she sewed the hole on my dark blue jeans with bright, light blue thread. When I asked her why she chose the color, she said it was impossible to find a color that matched jeans. -Simple jeans hem and hole patch was not completed after I gave them 5 business days. When I came in the seamstress told me she would do it in 5 minutes, which lead to the above mistake. If I do not feel comfortable and cannot trust a tailor shop with basic jeans alterations, I would never trust them with more fragile or expensive garments. This is disappointing because they are the closest shop, but I will notwaste my money there again. read more

The Ladies who run this Cleaners, Very nice. Great service, I use them for all my work shirts and everything else..They are professional and nice read more

Not helpful. Not friendly. Returned only part of the clothes that I dropped off. Not a big deal - I just went back to get them. When I returned to ask for the missing items, the ladies behind the counter acted as if I was an idiot. Yet, after a little searching, they found that there was another ticket that they had failed to return. Somehow they still managed to act as if my request was a nuisance. Some of my items were not well pressed. Won't use them again. read more

Would emphatically not recommend. I took a formal and an expensive 100% silk shirt to be laundered here back on May 11th. When I came back, one of the items was missing and the other was not yet ready. When I returned again a few days later, the missing item had turned up, and my shirt had been laundered, but it now had palm-sized discolorations underneath each armpit that had not been there when I dropped it off. I spoke with the manager, who told me that the damage was probably due to a defect in the material (100% silk) and that I should instead speak with Ann Taylor, the manufacturer, about a refund. After many more back and forths between me and Hillside, they agreed to pay for the damaged item. However, that was months ago. It is now mid-October, and despite literally over half a dozen calls and multiple promises of "oh! I'm so sorry...the check will get there next week" I still have not been reimbursed for my damaged item. read more

THEY RUINED MY WEDDING DRESS. This was a simple dress and should not have been difficult to clean (no stains, and it was cotton). First it came back with stains and then they took it back to fix it. After weeks of saying they were still working on it, the truth came out - it was in the basement and they had water damage and the dress was completely moldy and ruined. And they had been lying about it for weeks. I had to threaten a lawsuit to get a full reimbursement. They actually tried to argue that they shouldn't owe me the full price of the dress because it was "used". They were completely unprofessional and ridiculous and I would recommend that NOBODY risk bringing their clothes here. read more

Send your coat to a more professional cleaner. My coat got wrinkled and missed small compartments first time for dry cleaning. And came back with a hole the second time. Nobody takes responsibility for it. Very frustrating experience. read more

I have had two alterations done here in the past. Both were done competently, but neither was ready on the day they said they would be. Nevertheless I took in some pants which needed a new zip a few days ago, and to my surprise I was told they would be ready in two days. I said I'd phone before coming just to be sure. I did telephone on the afternoon of the day, and was told they would be ready at 5:00. When I came they were not done. In fact they were in the middle of a heap of clothes awaiting the attention of the alterationist. No one there appeared to know how it was I was told to come at 5:00. Moreover the alterationist, a Russian lady with rather Soviet behavior, was completely unapologetic and in fact downright rude. She said she did not need the work. Consequently I took my pants back and will have the zip replaced by someone polite as well as competent. read more

Hillside is a reliable place for dry cleaning, but I absolutely cannot recommend it for alterations. The week before Thanksgiving, I brought in a jacket that only needed its zipper replaced. I was told it would be finished in one week. Well, it was finally finished the weekend before Christmas (and the only reason it was done even then was that I was standing in the shop, firmly telling them that I needed it before leaving town for the holidays). Every time I came to pick it up I'd hear a different excuse as to why it wasn't finished, such as the seamstress had "left early" for the day, or "yeah, it isn't done, but it will be tomorrow...". When all was said and done, the staff did seem sorry and apologized for the delay and that's the only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one. read more

Solid. If you don't mind dealing with some cranky ladies and waiting a few days longer than you expect for your clothes, their alterations are just fine, and probably the least expensive in the Square. read more

I've been taking all my dry cleaning here for years, even when I lived nowhere near the place. They are the only place I trust my clothing with (after moving a bit further afield over the years and trying dry cleaners in whichever neighborhood I might be living- *and* getting shirts shredded or buttons popped off- one place in Brookline actually ironed out all the pleats on a pleated skirt!) ... and I have never once been disappointed! They carefully access each piece of clothing to determine the best method of cleaning. I've even brought in some super delicate vintage stuff that has come back in better condition than I bought it! I've had a couple of things altered here. Their tailor is really good- quick, careful, and the price is much cheaper than that other tailor in H. Square! I can't believe anyone disses the service here. Everyone is always so friendly... and they remember my name and details about my life...I think the service there is one of the key reasons Hillside is such a great business (gosh, they'll even keep an eye peeled for those evil parking-ticket-writers when I've double parked to dash in and pick up my dry cleaning- *tha's service*!). read more

Wow! Arrived first thing this morning with two bags of laundry my son accumulated over ten days of travel. Plus a hopelessly wrinkled shirt and pair of slacks he needed to wear tomorrow. And another week of travel ahead. Somehow, it was all beautifully washed and folded--AND delivered by the time we returned from dinner! Remarkable service at a fraction of the cost of hotel laundry, and super nice lady. Highly recommend! read more

Rude and cranky service is the norm here from the woman behind the counter, and I think my clothes have been ready on time only once; another time, I had to bring something back to be re-done because the stitching was unraveling. If you want dependable, on-time alterations in Cambridge, along with polite service, try Elegant Tailor and Cleaners on Mass Ave. read more

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Hillside is dishonest, provides poor work and treats customers like dirt. Don't go there unless you want your clothes to come back smelling like an ashtray. - Took 2 shirts in to have the sleeves shortened. - Came back the day after they were due and the shirts were not ready. I said OK, but please call me next time if the clothes weren't done as planned to save me the trip/time. I was told, "we got busy, what can you do", and the shirts would be ready the next day. - I had to go out of town so I want back a week later when certainly the shirts would be ready. Nope, not done. Now I am getting a bit upset, more because my time has been wasted than the shirts not being done. I'm told they will be done that evening. - I'm busy, so a week later I stroll back into Hillside. Shocker! The shirts aren't done. I ask for my shirts back and I will take my business elsewhere. I'm told they have been started but not finished, so I ask to see the shirts. Uncomfortable scurrying around...they are not there and I'm told the woman who does alterations sometimes works at home, but they shirts will be done this very day! - The next day I pick the shirts up. No apology, no thanks for your business, no discount. I suggested a discount was the least they could do since the shirts were 3 weeks late, and am told I already got $2 off the normal price. The employee then got nasty and began making gestures and comments. I just paid for the shirts and left as it's not worth the stress. To top it all off when I get home and try my shirts on the REEK OF SMOKE! Apparently the tailor must smoke when she "works at home". What a disgrace! This is probably my worst customer service experience in years. I think I will discuss with Amex. Please don't patronize this place! read more

Clothes came out fine, but you can't say same day on your door and not deliver. I'll look around for a more honest option.

Vicki at Hillside--one of the best tailors in Boston! Trained in Greece, she can work on anything--even double-faced wool!

When I first moved to Harvard Square I tried Hillside and one other dry cleaner located closer to me on Mass Ave. Hillside is definitely the better choice. Not only were they about a dollar or so cheaper than the other dry cleaner, they guarantee next day service (as long as you drop off your items by 5pm). Less expensive, good quality cleaning, and quick? Why would you go anywhere else? read more

So nice & efficient in here. The main woman calls everyone "hun" and the clothes always come back clean as a whistle!

This place is horrible. It's supposedly convenient because the dry clean will be ready the following day by 5 pm but at a cost. A new white coat I had worn only once came back with a stain. I had to take it back to have them take the stain out. My favorite black coat that I wear a lot came back with the button broken in half. I took a dress for alteration and went to pick it up when they told me to. Because they were too busy trying to locate someone else's 'lost' dry clean, it took them 20 minutes to tell me the seamstress hasn't even touched my dress. I picked up the dress unaltered, which was a total waste of my time and energy. Not to mention, the customer service is so bad. Everyone must have missed their customer service 101 training. And why would anyone want to continue going to that!?! I wouldn't recommend it at all!!! read more

This place lost a piece to my favorite dress. They said would send a check but never did. I followed-up about 30 times over the last 6 months and I've finally given up. read more

Have had several poor experiences here, and will not be returning. Dry cleaned shirts often come out with wrinkles or stains that were not there in the past, and my suit jacket just came back with a lapel completely mis-creased. Had a shirt altered there a few months ago and it was unwearable. read more

Definitely the best drycleaners in Harvard square - great customer service, competitively priced and very good quality cleaning!

I needed a three layer chiffon dress taken in at the sides and hemmed on the bottom. I only wanted it hemmed on the bottom enough so that the fabric wasn't dragging on the floor. I was quoted $55, which I thought was quite high given that another bridesmaid in my wedding party was getting the same alterations done on her dress and only paid $20 to a tailor in NYC. Anyway I asked if she could bring the price down to $50, an easy to remember number and she agreed. I was told to come back next Friday to pick it up. When I came back next Friday, I was told the dress was not ready and to come back again the next Friday. I was annoyed because it would have been nice if they called me to let me know not to come in because my dress wasn't ready instead of letting me waste my time traveling there for no reason. There is a sign on the door that promises to have garments ready on the date they promise, that is a lie. When I came back the dress was taken in at the sides fine but she didn't hem a sash that dragged on the floor and hemmed the bottom too much. The bottom looks funny because the sash is longer than the bottom of the dress. Minor problem that can be fixed by my mother but if I am going to be paying almost triple the amount of a tailor in NYC, I expect quality service. When I went to pay I was told to pay $55. When I said that I was told it would cost $50 the tailor proceeded to yell at me as if I was a child and said that she quoted me $65 but brought it down to $55 when I asked which is a lie because I wrote $50 in my calendar book after dropping the dress off and noted when to pick it up. The tailor at Hillside ended up getting paid for the price she originally quoted. I find it highly unprofessional to quote one price and charge another AND to yell at a customer when I was speaking in a normal tone. Rather than fight over $5, I paid the price but will never do business with this place again. While yelling at me she complained that it was a complicated dress to hem because of the 3 layers and it took her 2 hours. Essentially she was paid $27.50 per hour for the work. I think she was more than compensated so she should stop complaining and if she didn't want to charge me $50 she should not have agreed to it in the first place. I should have just waited and taken it to the tailor in NYC for a better price, customer service, and quality of work. You should never yell at a customer. I was not raising my voice with her and simply asked a question because I was quoted a lower price. I felt like the tailor bullied me. Take your business elsewhere. This place is overpriced, they promise prices and dates that your garment will be ready and don't live up to it, and they are rude with absolutely no customer service. read more

I was very excited about this place when I first went in. The people working there were very friendly and told me that my outfit would be ready within a couple of days. She asked if I would like to have it dry cleaned and I said yes. I then went back a couple of days after the day it was meant to be ready and they did not have it finished. They asked for me to come back. When I came back a couple of days later they told me that it was being sent out to be pressed so it wasn't ready. Then I returned the next day, paid and left already quite unhappy by the four day delay but when I take a look at the outfit, there was a stain on it that was not there before the cleaning. I returned and they offered to have it cleaned again but I was unhappy with how long they took and I decided I just wanted my money refunded. They only gave me the refund when I asked for it. I needed the dress for an occasion later that week. I did not appreciate that they did not apologize for the delay in the first place. I felt as though they made no sincere attempts at righting the inconveniences caused. read more

If you could award negative stars, I would! I dropped off a pair of pants for alteration 3 weeks ago and was told to come back in 4days...showed up as instructed and was told to return close of business...showed up the next day (just to make sure it would be ready) and was told it still was not. told to come back the following weekend...showed up as instructed and was told to come back in another 3 days. This comedy repeated itself until I showed up today and simply requested my pants without the alteration!...and what would you know- it wasnt done!! I can take bad service but dishonesty is a different scenario altogether. While I was picking up my pants, another lady showed up for two pairs of jeans she had dropped off for alteration was was told they were ready. She waits for 5 minutes before being told that only one was ready if she could come back in another 15 minutes!! This will be really funny if it was not so sad. Use these guys at your own peril. read more

I have been going to hillside for just over 2 years and while the place is great with my dry cleaning the "seamstress" I will never use again!!! I brought in a bridesmaids dress that I wanted the hem to be sewn even the style of the dress was longer in the back then the hem in the front, I was told come back in a week. When I came back the following week not only was my dress not done but she hadn't even started working on it yet. She told me give her 2 days so I agreed telling her I need it in the two days completed due to the fact I was getting on a plane to go to the wedding. I go back an the woman is sitting at her sewing machine eating another costumer was in front of me waiting to speak to her and what I witnessed was just awful, the seamstress shortened this woman's pants and they were crooked and two different lengths. The seamstress had the nerve to yell at this customer and proceeded to tell her it was her fault because she wanted them back the next day. When I originally came in 10 days prior the woman who I later found out was the manager clearly asked when my dress would be ready so how is it everyone elses fault this woman doesn't do her work on time??? Needless to say I was irate by the time I got to deal with this woman and she actually fought and yelled at me as well I took my dress which smelled from sitting in her bucket of cloths and wont be back!!! read more