ugacrew

I highly recommend going to http://www.consumerist.com. That site is loaded with tips on how to get the best customer service, important big-wig contact information for you to use, consumer resources on where to lodge a complaint, AND most importantly a place to write any anecdotes of poor customer service to warn the rest of the consumers out there. It's an awesome site and excellent resource to boot.

britex01

I've bookmarked that URL for when I head back to the US! ...

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jurassic

In this little town,it not what you know but WHO,old boys club is going strong here,course I dont know any one.

mayhemuk

In the UK if you paid for something with a Credit Card the Card issuer and the retailer are jointly liable. So you can get a refund from the card company.
Does the same carry over here?

ugacrew

You can challenge purchases made on your credit card in the same way if you did not receive proper service from the merchant. For instance, you received a crappy product and the store won't refund your purchase. Stuff like that.

Pony

I miss the ability to get some sense of fair play, like I had in the UK.
Typical example:
Wife forgets to move her car on street cleaning day - OK fair cop - our mistake. BUT the parking official claims she did not have a license plate on the front of the vehicle - and issues TWO fines. Her front license plate if slightly recessed in the bumper (factory specifications). So I take a picture and send it to them with a cover letter (I pay the parking fine online - uncontested). I receive a GENERIC letter back that does not answer my question. I write 3 letters, but each one gets a generic letter back from them (identical) all telling me why not having a front license plate is wrong - I keep telling them we had one and providing the proof. Finally I get a warning of court proceedings! I pay the fine online immediately and write yet another letter. This time they write back claiming I was tough out of luck! Apparently I should have paid the fine with 14 days, and then contested it!
WTF, where is the justice in that? Los Angeles parking bureau robbed me, plain and simple!

augigi

Why would you pay it if you were correct and they were incorrect? Just take your evidence to court.

Titchski

I usually start off very politely, which gets me nowhere. Then I make "The Offer":

"You can either deal with me, or you can deal with my wife. Trust me, resolving this now will be to the benefit of your hearing in later life"

Every time, without fail, my bluff has been called.

Every time, Mrs Titchski has got results.

It's uncanny

lisag8070

With me its a case of I take my OH along, he's built like a brick shit house and can do the 'evil glare' and that kind of motivates them into action.

I only use this as a last resort but sometimes they leave you no other choice...

Scouse Express

Tell them to deal with the issue to your satisfaction, or........you will fart in their general direction

Jim.

ugacrew

Youuuu silly French person!

tamms_1965

From what I see, the answer is "Frequently."

im9907620

Now that must have been cringe worthy

Bob

http://www.freeadvice.com/

That's another site that might be worth taking a peak at...

Redlippie

I always get hold of corporate office. Most companies have customer service people who actually have the clout and know how on how to deal with complaints. Never had a problem.