Kiplinger

How to Complain and Get Results

Taking a complaint to customer service can be maddening. No one wants to deal with endless phone trees, outsourced representatives working from inflexible scripts, automated responses or chatbots. "Despite saying they provide more ways than ever to contact them, companies are building fortresses around themselves so that no one has to interact with you," says Christopher Elliott, of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit consumer group.

To breach the walls and successfully resolve your complaint, says Elliott, you must use the three p's: patience, persistence and politeness. Don't expect an instant fix, and give the company's complaint process time to work. Be prepared to tell your tale repeatedly, taking your complaint up the chain of command if necessary. And

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Kiplinger

Kiplinger5 min read
What You Need to Know About Life Insurance Settlements
Your life insurance monthly premium can start looking less and less appealing once you’ve retired. It’s a scenario Dan Simon, a retirement planning adviser with Daniel A. White & Associates in Middletown, Del., has seen quite often, even with his own
Kiplinger4 min read
This New Sustainable ETF’s Pitch? Give Back Profits.
Feel like society and the environment are beginning to break down? There’s an ETF for that. Newday Impact’s Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDGS) delivers a growth-oriented product that promotes dual impact, promising to advocate for environmental
Kiplinger12 min read
The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Whether you travel often or just take the occasional vacation, a travel rewards credit card can be an excellent companion. With every purchase, you can use a good travel card to collect points or miles that are redeemable for flights, hotels or other

Related Books & Audiobooks