The Power of Proper Complaints

feywon

feywon

Well-known Member
Location
Rural North Central NM
i'm not a big complainer, i'm very aware most people will complain quicker than they compliment or thank, and often they fuss at those least responsible for the problem. If i talk to store managers/owners or random strangers it is usually a positive communication. i make a point of telling 'bosses' when their employees have done a good job and/or go 'the extra mile' for me or i witness them doing it for someone who doesn't even say thank you (common when go to city, here in my village most people practice common courtesy even with service people). If i see a child doing something good and can make out who the parent is, i'll complement them on raising mannerly, helpful child as well thanking the child if they helped me. If i see a parent struggling with something i try to give encouragement.

However, there are times, especially in recent years when a well documented and thought out complaint was necessary. Tho my first real success was in 5th grade and in the early 70's i successfully fought 'Ma Bell' in NYC when they were still a monopoly. Also fought US embassy in Guyana S. America successfully.

More recently, i've had some success with 2 major companies. In one case they merely needed to inform their IT people that on last 'upgrade' of site crucial info was missing from where it had been for years on the OTC shopping page. (Humana gives many customers a Quarterly allowance which can be spent online, free shipping--some quarters i buy things that have long shelf lives to use as much of it as possible tho every quarter i'm getting my vitamins and supplements thru them also. For years one's remaining balance was displayed at top of that shopping page. Suddenly it was gone after an upgrade/update. i had to work my way thru the AI Chatbot and two live ones that might as well have been AI's attending only to key words not to qualifiers to understand my issue, before i got one that understood my issue, she promised to 'send a ticket' to IT about the problem.

In the other case, because i dropped part of what i was getting from them months ago i finished with my payment plan earlier than originally expected. But i did that months ago and they did not update the info until i took them to task about not having procedures in place to rework the numbers if the service changes. i made clear i'd worked in offices and with computers enough to know most types of businesses these days have specialized software that makes such reworking agreements easier and faster if only they have the proper processes in place to assure someone makes the corrections. i also mentioned that part of the problem might be the over compartmentalization this firm practices with few people that seem to have an overview of all of processes and that's how such things get overlooked till a customer complains. Finally got someone with some authority on the 7th, tho their first responses were incomplete. i thanked him for additional info but pointed out what was missing. Didn't even check the email i use for business communications or their 'portal' yesterday, was trying to be patient. But when i got online this morning not only did i get an email stating the info i wanted unequivocally but an overpayment of $156 had been returned to my bank account.

When you do it right it works and you don't have to feel bad about 'losing it' like some 'Karen' if you stay calm, lay out your issue and what you want of them. While it's true pitching a tantrum sometimes works (especially in a crowded place with other customers in ear shot, but i prefer staying calm and organized. i only used the raised voice threats method once with VW dealership but that's another story,

Anyone else have stories about getting action on company errors? They can be interesting, and instructive.
 

I once got some chicken tenders from Walmart which were hard as a rock. I even let my dogs chew on them. I emailed the store manager, said "Someone left these in the heat too long, my dogs did enjoy their new chew toys"

The manager called, apologized and then said "Please come to customer service" I did, a $20 gift card with an actual written apology for bad food was written. I nearly passed out from the shock.

Got two roasted chickens, Mac and cheese, green beans and had dinner with my mother. Being accurate, polite and direct does usually work. On occasion, yes I threw a fit, sometimes it worked.
 
feywon said:
Anyone else have stories about getting action on company errors?
Click to expand...
Yup

Wrote a very nice letter to the manager of a local hardware store (well known chain) about their lack of service
It was rather lengthy
Not mean
No cuss words
Just pointed observations

He wrote back
Told me he read the entire letter at his monthly company meeting

At another well-known building supply (Home Depot) I wrote my observations to regional

They invited me to speak at their next quarterly get together
Pay for plane/hotel/food

I turned it down, but know a well thought out letter (not a tirade) does get noticed
 
Disgustedman said:
The manager called, apologized and then said "Please come to customer service" I did, a $20 gift card with an actual written apology for bad food was written. I nearly passed out from the shock.

Got two roasted chickens, Mac and cheese, green beans and had dinner with my mother. Being accurate, polite and direct does usually work. On occasion, yes I threw a fit, sometimes it worked.
Click to expand...
How wonderful of them! I've always wondered which old saying works best since they're polar opposites.... "you catch more flies with honey" or "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." I think each situation needs to be evaluated to see which would work better. @Disgustedman
 
Disgustedman said:
I once got some chicken tenders from Walmart which were hard as a rock. I even let my dogs chew on them. I emailed the store manager, said "Someone left these in the heat too long, my dogs did enjoy their new chew toys"

The manager called, apologized and then said "Please come to customer service" I did, a $20 gift card with an actual written apology for bad food was written. I nearly passed out from the shock.

Got two roasted chickens, Mac and cheese, green beans and had dinner with my mother. Being accurate, polite and direct does usually work. On occasion, yes I threw a fit, sometimes it worked.
Click to expand...
The trick is knowing what tactic best for what situation.

In the Mid 70's i owned a used VW hatchback. Started having problems with the ignition-i actually had a callus on right thumb from having to repeatedly turn the key with just right pressure to get ignition. When i took to dealership and told them the problem they insisted on doing full diagnostic on the electrical ignition system, told me my solenoid or alternator was out replaced that charging parts, labor and the FULL diagnostic. First time i stopped car after leaving--it gave me same problem again.

Back i went. Asked for the manager. When they tried to put me off i asked if they wanted me to talk loudly in front of other customers about how they 1) assumed being a woman i didn't know what i was talking about 2) charged me for a full electrical diagnostic but clearly hadn't or the problem with the actual ignition on steering column would have shown up and also charged me for a part i may not have really needed. i got a manager. i told him i wanted the problem i actually had fixed ASAP and the bill should reflect a credit for the test that was clearly incomplete which could then be applied to the actual part and labor time to fix the actual problem. that is what i got--so long ago i can't remember the details of any addititional cost--but i'm sure i would remember if i felt they'd continued to try and rip me off.
i haven't had much faith in dealerships since and try to find smaller mechanic shops if not a mechanic i know.
 
Last edited:
Disgustedman said:
The manager called, apologized and then said "Please come to customer service" I did, a $20 gift card with an actual written apology for bad food was written. I nearly passed out from the shock.
Click to expand...
I would have suspected a trap. As I wrote on another thread, I wrote a letter of complaint about a bad haircut at an expensive salon. I was invited to come and speak to the owner. All he did was insult my knowledge and my "attitude" about hair, etc.
 
I am always honest, it I receive a good product or service, I am ready to spread the good word.

Likewise, if the product is bad, the service is bad, I will also spread my opinion. Now if I am insulted to the point my blood boils over the fact that I am a senior or a woman, hell has no fury compared to me. There will be no relief for years, I will go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and every where.
 
I was going to start a complaining topic, but couldn't figure out how to start a new topic. (Anyone>?) But that doesn't mean I won't complain. I am a major complainer, I've been told; I think I just say what most people won't. So here goes, my day thus far: first of all I've had a cold all week; instead of getting better it gets worse every day. Elsewhere I've complained how I hate this time of year--dark, cold, everybody crazy plus I despise Xmas.

My son has round-the-clock care from a great agency in CA, and every year my daughter and I give them each a gift--there are 9 individuals. I told my daughter I'd go out and get them, since she already has way too much on her plate, a kid with Chron's disease which involves problems and time in ERs.

Because of my cold, and a pouring rain, I ordered a lyft to get there (I have no car and the bus stop is half a mile away). I typed in the library across from the store as my destination. The driver pulls up in front of a cafe, and when I tell him I wanted to go to the library, 2 blocks ahead, he insists I typed in Dimond Cafe. We went back and forth, and finally he yelled at me, and said I was "rude," (though I swear I was not, just really wanted to get my point across) so I got out and walked in the rain.

After the library I went into Safeway and selected MasterCard gift cards. My hands were full, so I turned around to look for a basket, there weren't any, then when I tried to go back to the card display, a woman had her basket positioned in such a way that I couldn't get past. I asked her to please let me thru, and she said, nastily, "There's no place for me to go."

All she had to do was take 2 steps back, but when I suggested this (nicely) she said, "NO Karen!" (she was black). I knew what she meant but said, "My name isn't Karen," and she said, "Well you acting like one, run-in' your mouth with all your entitlement." And people say this is a season of good cheer! Gimme a break!

I get to the checkout line and for the first time I notice that underneath the amount of the gift card it says "+$5.99 purchase fee." Mind you, I'm buying 9 cards. So when I get to the cashier I ask her if this is for real. Indeed it is. Imagine silly me, expecting credit card companies not to charge fees whenever and how ever they can! I asked her if they were all like that and she said, only the credit card ones.

So I went back to see about getting something else, but all they had was crappy fast food places like Domino's and Panda Express. I called my daughter and she said she thought we could buy them online. I was ready to scream but she said she couldn't deal with it and we hung up. I'm home now. It actually feels good to vent all this stupid shit.
 
Marcy Sheiner said:
I was going to start a complaining topic, but couldn't figure out how to start a new topic. (Anyone>?) But that doesn't mean I won't complain. I am a major complainer, I've been told; I think I just say what most people won't. So here goes, my day thus far: first of all I've had a cold all week; instead of getting better it gets worse every day. Elsewhere I've complained how I hate this time of year--dark, cold, everybody crazy plus I despise Xmas.

My son has round-the-clock care from a great agency in CA, and every year my daughter and I give them each a gift--there are 9 individuals. I told my daughter I'd go out and get them, since she already has way too much on her plate, a kid with Chron's disease which involves problems and time in ERs.

Because of my cold, and a pouring rain, I ordered a lyft to get there (I have no car and the bus stop is half a mile away). I typed in the library across from the store as my destination. The driver pulls up in front of a cafe, and when I tell him I wanted to go to the library, 2 blocks ahead, he insists I typed in Dimond Cafe. We went back and forth, and finally he yelled at me, and said I was "rude," (though I swear I was not, just really wanted to get my point across) so I got out and walked in the rain.

After the library I went into Safeway and selected MasterCard gift cards. My hands were full, so I turned around to look for a basket, there weren't any, then when I tried to go back to the card display, a woman had her basket positioned in such a way that I couldn't get past. I asked her to please let me thru, and she said, nastily, "There's no place for me to go."

All she had to do was take 2 steps back, but when I suggested this (nicely) she said, "NO Karen!" (she was black). I knew what she meant but said, "My name isn't Karen," and she said, "Well you acting like one, run-in' your mouth with all your entitlement." And people say this is a season of good cheer! Gimme a break!

I get to the checkout line and for the first time I notice that underneath the amount of the gift card it says "+$5.99 purchase fee." Mind you, I'm buying 9 cards. So when I get to the cashier I ask her if this is for real. Indeed it is. Imagine silly me, expecting credit card companies not to charge fees whenever and how ever they can! I asked her if they were all like that and she said, only the credit card ones.

So I went back to see about getting something else, but all they had was crappy fast food places like Domino's and Panda Express. I called my daughter and she said she thought we could buy them online. I was ready to scream but she said she couldn't deal with it and we hung up. I'm home now. It actually feels good to vent all this stupid shit.
Click to expand...
I've had days like that when it seems everything went wrong from the time I got up until the time I went to bed. Maybe it helped to get it off your chest. I bet tomorrow will be better. Let's hope so!
 
hollydolly said:
To start a new topic. Go to the relevant forum..ie general discussions... or current news etc.. then the very first box at the top will ask you to write a meaningful title- mimimum 4 words, then once you've done that ..under that in the main box...just type whatever it is you want to say... (y)
Click to expand...
Ok, it was kind of you, hollydolly, to give me concise instructions--however, after I type in the box, how do I finalize it, ie, post it as a new topic??
 
Marcy Sheiner said:
I was going to start a complaining topic, but couldn't figure out how to start a new topic. (Anyone>?) But that doesn't mean I won't complain. I am a major complainer, I've been told; I think I just say what most people won't. So here goes, my day thus far: first of all I've had a cold all week; instead of getting better it gets worse every day. Elsewhere I've complained how I hate this time of year--dark, cold, everybody crazy plus I despise Xmas.

My son has round-the-clock care from a great agency in CA, and every year my daughter and I give them each a gift--there are 9 individuals. I told my daughter I'd go out and get them, since she already has way too much on her plate, a kid with Chron's disease which involves problems and time in ERs.

Because of my cold, and a pouring rain, I ordered a lyft to get there (I have no car and the bus stop is half a mile away). I typed in the library across from the store as my destination. The driver pulls up in front of a cafe, and when I tell him I wanted to go to the library, 2 blocks ahead, he insists I typed in Dimond Cafe. We went back and forth, and finally he yelled at me, and said I was "rude," (though I swear I was not, just really wanted to get my point across) so I got out and walked in the rain.

After the library I went into Safeway and selected MasterCard gift cards. My hands were full, so I turned around to look for a basket, there weren't any, then when I tried to go back to the card display, a woman had her basket positioned in such a way that I couldn't get past. I asked her to please let me thru, and she said, nastily, "There's no place for me to go."

All she had to do was take 2 steps back, but when I suggested this (nicely) she said, "NO Karen!" (she was black). I knew what she meant but said, "My name isn't Karen," and she said, "Well you acting like one, run-in' your mouth with all your entitlement." And people say this is a season of good cheer! Gimme a break!

I get to the checkout line and for the first time I notice that underneath the amount of the gift card it says "+$5.99 purchase fee." Mind you, I'm buying 9 cards. So when I get to the cashier I ask her if this is for real. Indeed it is. Imagine silly me, expecting credit card companies not to charge fees whenever and how ever they can! I asked her if they were all like that and she said, only the credit card ones.

So I went back to see about getting something else, but all they had was crappy fast food places like Domino's and Panda Express. I called my daughter and she said she thought we could buy them online. I was ready to scream but she said she couldn't deal with it and we hung up. I'm home now. It actually feels good to vent all this stupid shit.
Click to expand...
So many people call those of us who complain and voice our disapproval, Grumpy old so and so's.
I say, "There is a lot to grump about." :D
 
Trish said:
Absolutely.

I dislike how the name Karen has been used to denigrate women who have the audacity to complain :(
Click to expand...
yes I agree.. and i remember being anoyed on behalf of my friend ''Gay'' when her name was hi-jacked to mean homosexual, she had to start using her middle name ... it was terrible and remains so for anyone with that name

When you think of how many words can be invented in the English language using any variety of letters.. why are common words so often hi-jacked to mean something completely different
 
I almost fainted after I took the new gummy, to replace the regular gummy I take. This new one is advertised to be the same thing, but in the fine print ( that I could barely make out with a magnifying glass ) it says it contains melatonin. I am allergic to melatonin. My blood pressure dropped very low and I had to lie down with my feet up for hours.

Important complication: Cannabis products have doubled in price. I have chronic pain, and already take 1800mg of Gabapentin a day. I also take an anti-depressant. These are what you get now for chronic pain. I need more relief than what they provide. I do not want to go UP on the RX meds so I micro dose cannabis products. They help a lot. Now they are getting too expensive. I have to shop 5 dispensaries online to find the "specials". There are 3 million products now. It is nuts!!!!!! I just want THC! I find a great deal, look it over the best I can, make a decision to buy it. This time it almost killed me.

I will return these melatonin infused gummies to the store, and try to exchange them for something I can use. I will tell them that they are very close to false advertising, ( the only mention of melatonin is on their website picture, and I missed it because it is so small. Then the actual packaging doesn't mention it at all when you buy it!

dsfdaf.JPG

$80 for 6 packages of #10. GREAT DEAL I will exchange it for 2 for #10. If they will let me. It is like I have to go back to college and get a degree in "How to survive in a shrinking world with a tsunami of information and choices."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top