The most important thing when complaining is to stay calm. No one responds well to be screamed or cursed at. You will get much further with someone if you treat them with the same respect and dignity that you want to be treated with.

The most effective thing you can do is be prepared. Here are some tips that will help you to get your complaint across and get the results you want.

1. Know what you want. If you want late fees reversed, say that. If you want a full refund say that. Just complaining complain will get you know where. You need to know what will resolve the issue for you. Also realize you may not be able to get exactly what it is you want.

2. Most customer service reps do not have the authority to handle all requests, don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor.Keep going up the chain of command until you get the person that can actually help you.

3. Be prepared with facts. Times, dates, people you talked to in the past. Keep a log of these things and in the long run it will pay off for you.

4. Don't allow yourself to be put off. You are a customer that should be important to the company. make sure they follow through with their promises.

5. Don't use scare tactics. Threatening to stop shopping there, bad mouthing the company etc will get your nowhere. Know what your legal rights are and be sure to let the customer service reps know that you are willing to go the next step if you have to. You can report them to the Better Business Bureau, or the governing body they report to. But these should be last ditch efforts. A good company will not want you to go to those measures.

Be clear about what you want from the customer service rep and present yourself in a calm rational manner and you should be able to come to an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties.

Learn more about this author, Beth Oliver.
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