12 Ways to Complain Without Being Rude

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Chances are good that at some point, youll want to complain about something. It could be a cold meal, a faulty touch-screen or a holiday from hell. Whatever the reason, theres no point in doing it unless youre going to win. Weve put together these tips to show you how.



Follow these tips to give yourself the best chance of scoring a win with your complaint.



1. Consider your argument to ensure its logical, not emotional



Play devils advocate and think about your part in the incident. If the majority of the blame lies with the other party, then you know your complaint is justified.



2. Collect as much supporting proof as possible.



Put together all the documents, correspondence and photographic evidence you can find to present your side.



3. Have a clear idea of what you want from the complaint.



Narrow down your desired end result to give your complaint direction. Are you looking for an apology, a replacement, a full refund, or compensation?



4. Identify the appropriate person or department to contact.



The US Consumer Affairs Department recommends approaching the most relevant manager in charge, business department or local seller. You can also file through the Better Business Bureau.



5. Find the best channel for delivering your complaint.



A survey from Microsofts State of Global Customer Service report found that 85% of shoppers who used social media to complain received a reply. Determine which platform the organization engages on most before proceeding.



6. Keep a record of everyone you speak to.



Maintain a diary of information you were given, promises made and any costs youve incurred. It will strengthen your case and make it easier to check details down the line.



7. Stay calm and respectful.



According to physician and author Andrew Weil, breathing is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system. Focus on your breathing to avoid going from irate to irrational in an upsetting situation.



8. Make your complaint appealing.



Author Guy Winch recommends making a complaint sandwich by delivering the issue between two positives. For example, I had a wonderful evening, but service was slow. If the food arrived sooner I would definitely be a regular.



9. Escalate the issue up the chain of command.



Less than 5% of people escalate their complaint. If the person youre dealing with is unhelpful or doesnt have the appropriate authority, ask to speak to someone more senior to get things resolved.



10. Investigate your legal rights.



If your legal entitlements to a replacement or refund were denied or you feel you were intentionally misled, you may have grounds for a legal case. Find out more from the Federal Trade Commission or Better Business Bureau.



11. Use Facebook and Twitter to entice a response.



If the response you get isnt satisfactory, screenshot the correspondence, add some background info and post it to the companys Facebook or Twitter account.



12. Use review sites to inform others and get the company to hear you out. 84% of consumers say they trust online reviews on sites like TripAdvisor or Yelp as much as a personal recommendation.



There are always going to be things to complain about. Dont let the size of the task in front of you prevent you from fighting for whats right. Prepare your complaint thoughtfully, deliver it accurately and if they dont listen, dont be afraid to bring in the big guns.



To read more tips and tricks for successful complaining, visit https://www.netcredit.com/blog/12-ways-complain-without-rude/