A complaint to customer service is a communication no different than any other type of communication. Any communication colored by emotion is likely to be misunderstood, or dismissed as an emotional outburst instead of a valid complaint. Complaining to anyone about any particular thing can be more effective by following a few simple guidelines.

The most important aspect to complaining is to keep the emotions out of the equation. Acting upon emotion usually results in mounting an attack, which results in a defensive position by whomever is receiving your complaint. From a defensive stance, your complaint will probably fall upon deaf ears.

Surprisingly, many people who have a valid complaint get lost in the telling of the story as to what happened. It is important to have the elements of what has happened organized into a short, and to-the-point statement as to what has happened to occasion your complaint. Being brief, and objective increases the potential for cooperation by those involved in the issue.

As opposed to attacking the company, individual, or product which has caused your dissatisfaction, seek redress regarding the end affect of the situation. Mistakes happen all of the time, but the issue should be how you have been affected by the situation. Make your remedy regarding the situation easy to understand. If your only desire is to rant, and rave, little will be accomplished. Should you want a refund, make that the purpose of your complaint.

As someone with a valid complaint to any customer service agent, do not try to punish someone for their inefficiency. The store's management will take care of discipline within their own company, while defending their employee's inefficiency to your face. Make sure to remember that your concern is you, and nothing else. .

The ultimate victory in filing a complaint is to do so in a manner that makes you the winner in every respect. If you have had your complaint resolved in your favor, and not had to fight with anyone, you win. That knowledge will help eliminate the memory of an unpleasant experience, and replace it with a positive dose of confidence that you do not permit others to not live up to their responsibilities. Feeling like a winner is a good thing!

Learn more about this author, Bob Schmidt.
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