Having a problem with a product or service can be frustrating. When you’re trying to resolve a problem with a company, the first step should be to discuss your concerns with a representative of the business. If a phone call or email doesn’t resolve the problem, consider writing a complaint letter.
A letter is important. It puts your complaint on record with the company, helps preserve any legal rights you may have in the situation, and lets the company know you’re serious about pursuing the complaint.
Use this sample letter and these tips to write an effective complaint:
- Be clear and concise. Describe the item or service you bought and the problem. Include serial or model numbers, and the name and location of the seller. If you’re following up on a conversation, be sure to say who you spoke with and confirm the details of your discussion.
- State exactly what you want done and how long you’re willing to wait for a response. Be reasonable.
- Don’t write an angry, sarcastic, or threatening letter. The person reading your letter probably isn’t responsible for the problem, but may be very helpful in resolving it.
- Include copies of relevant documents, like receipts, work orders, and warranties. You also may want to send copies of emails and notes from conversations you’ve had with the seller about the problem. Keep your originals.
- Include your name and contact information. If an account is involved, be sure to include the account number.
You may want to send your letter by certified mail and request a return receipt. That way, you’ll have proof that the company got your letter and who signed for it.
If your letter doesn’t do the trick, you may want to get outside help and look at other options. For more information, see Resolving Consumer Problems.
It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.
The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.
In reply to thanks by ocakabosco4
In reply to Thank you for the advice. I by MATT
Hi Matt, I'm going through a situation that sounds similar to yours.
was charged a fee for not returning my defective cell on time, after getting it replaced through my Extended Warr. I've been going in circles with theym for the past 3 months. I started looking at their dispute resolution process, which involved Arbitration or small claims. The Arbit agreement actually seemed pretty good.
I began putting together my case and made it clear to the customer care folks that a formal notificaion of the dispute was coming. Then last web a manager type called me, reviewed everything, and then said she was going to refund the late fee and everything related to it.
My advice, inform them of your intent to sue or go to arbit, whatever's outlined in the your agreement. They don't want to
In reply to AM LOOKING FOR A BUSINESS by larrymercy
In reply to Of what value are you if I by Tabetha
You can report violations of the Do Not Call registry to donotcall.gov. The information you provide will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
Blog complaints don't go into the database.
In reply to I have contacted ftc for by swarms10
If you reported a complaint to the FTC and want to add more information, you can call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357.
In reply to I met a man online applying by peanut911
If you gave your bank account number to the man you met online, he can take money from your account. Contact your bank and ask how to protect your money.
These are useful details for a complaint. Please report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give goes into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to I met a man online applying by peanut911
Did anyone has terminate landline service with Birch Communication in real experience? How to file a complaint with FCC and FTC on Birth Communication who is(formerly called "Covista Communication")with their illegal charge a huge amount of termination fee without fully disclose in their service agreement which has not been agreed by most their customer and/or disclosed and signed by prior to the transition period from Covista to Birch Communication years ago.
Birch Communication took over the business from Covista Communication. In facts, the landline phone is not the same as or similarly to the Cellular Wireless Services Contract. The FCC should eliminating this kind of non-signature approved by the consumer/user's false service contract provided by Birch Communication. A class of Action by the attorney should have more interest on this type of activates. We are wondering the same illegal practice still exist without any legal consequences of the Birth Communication after many years of the complaints from the public, who are they? A group of scammer above the law or being protected by the Congress? Substantial complaints already shown in the internet as well as our experiences.
It seems to us, there is no result in legal action against or can stop Birch Communication illegally imposing their so-called early-termination fees to their account user. Hoping there is someone who can answer this question within the FTC forum. Our complaint is real, also it is our rights in standing with yours. The audio/TV/internet or bundle up services in the communication industry should be heavily regulated. Consumers would like to see this happen in the near future.
In reply to SIR.RELIANCE.AGENT.MAKING by darsshah07
You can tell the FTC about fraud.
Go to ftc.gov/complaint to report fraud.
Or call 1-877-382-4357 to talk to a FTC representative,
l purchased a couple of things from a company in China. They were not what l thought and do not fit. I can find no way to speak to them and there is no receipt in the package. The item numbers are C-P85-B1-119,C-P53-B2-104 AND E-A11-B2-105.. I don't not know how much l paid because there is no receipt. The company's name is Dresslilly. l ordered online. When all else failed in knowing how to contact them l looked them up on Facebook. The complaints about how unhappy people were with them was endless. l still did not know how to reach them. l did complain on their facebook page but was told to contact them......there is no such number. The address of the company on the bag is : LI CHUNYUN BUILDING C-4C-5 GLP PARK NO.88 XIANDAI AVENUE SIP YUANQU SUZHOLU JIANGSU 215121 PHONE : 1111111 That is all l have. l hope it is helpful for you and everyone else on Facebook who are not happy...... Genevieve
In reply to l purchased a couple of by stilleto1963
Thank you for sharing your experiences. We can't address complaints that come through the blog comments. Please go to ftc.gov/complaint to report this.
In reply to I paid Divine Tech. Services by lat283
Please report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
Blog comments don't go into the database.
In reply to A Duffy realtor salesperson by arlene j
You can contact the company directly and explain that you weren't satisfied with the service. If you signed a contract with the company, you can read that to see what your rights are. If you think a business did not live up to its advertising, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission, your state Attorney General’s office and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
In reply to Look I did not bother to by tradewinds
You can contact a company directly and explain that you weren't satisfied with its service.
If you signed a contract with a company, you can read it to see what your rights are when a product or service doesn't work as advertised.
If you think a business did not live up to its advertising, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission, your state Attorney General’s office and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
In reply to I ordered a beauty product at by Anastasia EU
If you’ve done business with an overseas company that hasn’t lived up to its end of the deal, you can file a report at econsumer.gov.
Learn more by reading our post, Reporting International Scams.
In reply to I purchased a product (custom by RP1234
If you can’t resolve a problem with a company, you may be able to try an alternative dispute resolution program. These programs — including mediation or arbitration — can be quicker, cheaper, and less stressful than going to court. Learn more by reading our brochure, Alternative Dispute Resolution.
In reply to If you can’t resolve a by ctressler
Skin Complex RX Noticed two charges on 07.21.16 for Skin Complex totaling approximately $158.00. Contacted Skin RX and informed that this was not my purchase. Customer service representative told me I should have read disclosure on web site. Explained again I did not order and will dispute. CS rep told me they win 100% of all disputes. Explained bottles not open obvious mistake, I see no term period and charge was not authorized by me. Customer service representative rude as a consumer found this company and there representatives to be rude and less than honest. I did receive product and do not dispute that but I did not order nor did anyone in my home. Looking for Skin complex RX to be a responsible corporation and take their product back.
In reply to I wrote a nonexistent address by Ken
If your letter didn't do the trick, you may want to get outside help and look at other options. For more information, see Resolving Consumer Problems.
on 4/7/16.purchased a used truckfrom a dealership,received a loan,,the next day I noticed the moter did not sound right,took it to his mechanic hes said it needs timing chain,,tokk it back to salemen ,he gave me a warrenty ccontract to fix the engine,,that was on 4/29.Idropped truck off at shop May5 2016..ive only received lies from salesmen,mechainic and know the loan company wont answer my calls ....
today is9/25/16..almost forgot..didn't get a loner until june 26th.have had 3 diffterent loners the one I'm driving know is not insepected and has a dealer plate that expires oct.16..plus I was told not to call the shop.only to talk with salemen...Ive been paying on time my payment plus full coverage..it cost me $20 a day to get back in forth to work,and my son who has autisumto school and to my nanny..i live in Jonesboro maine there is no bus..ive talked to the att general they said I should tslk woth the ftcis this right..in fear of being stranded...
In reply to on 4/7/16.purchased a used by troeann
It sounds like you took a loan for a truck, but you haven't been able to use the truck for a long time. And, you're making loan payments on a truck that the dealer is holding.
You may need to have a lawyer look at the contract you signed with the dealer, and maybe your loan paperwork. Pine Tree Legal Assistance helps Maine residents with legal problems. They have offices all across the state. This page in the Pine Tree website tells you more about finding help.
You can also call the the attorney general's office again, and find out how to report a complaint in writing. You could see if there are other state and local consumer protection agencies to help. This FTC article has other ideas about how to fix consumer problems.
I have not owned a vehicle for five years no car accidents no tickets no nothing I finally get a truck from a will that my dad left me. I did not have much money so I decided to get the cheapest insurance paid for my tax,tag & title I waited the next month or two until I could afford better insurance so I got the better insurance and three weeks after I got the what I thought was amazing insurance someone had hit my truck and took off while it was parked.
I did not find out until the next day because my truck was on the side of the road after running out of gas nobody left any information I did not call the police because there was no damage to anybody's property and ovielsey nobody was injured. It specifically says on my insurance that I can call to make a report/claim to Progressive they did an investigation and wanted a picture of truck in-between the time of my vehicle before I added the basic insurance and the better insurance and before the date of accident (Who takes pictures of there car everyday) They also wanted a picture of the truck within the time of my cheap insurance showing no damage which I provided and when I added the new ( When there was no damage, So they had proof that my truck was hit within that time frame!
I provided everything they asked Then they wanted proof that it rained because when I called I told them it was slippery and muddy soneone could of slid into it,They pulled up there records of weather and it didn't show enough rain and I specifically remember it raining because I walked home from running out of gas and leaving the truck. Then they wanted my phone records to see my location I provided that. They spoke with my neighbors Which didn't even know about the accident, I live in a very rural area and there are barely any houses. They took a statement from my a relative whom was the one who actually saw the truck hit before I did Because I called him to bring me gas and he drove by it. I was told when I purchased the additional coverage it Anything that could happen would be covered 12:01 that night well the accident happend 1-3 weeks after .
So they did a month investigation and, I finally was told they can not prove when the accident happend. So my what was a perfect truck now looks like crap and costs 4,500 to fix. I not only have a crappy looking truck that is getting worse by the day I have just got served with another my fathers home being forclosed on while He had Multiple types of morgage insurance. I have 20 days to respond to the morgage company whom already knows that it should of been paid off soon after his passing because the insurance is included with his morgage payments. York
In reply to I have not owned a vehicle by 2much2handle
You may want to contact the insurance commissioner's office of your state. You could find the contact information online by searching for "insurance commission" and your state name.
You can report problems with a mortgage company to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
In reply to Hi - I have purchased a by Jocelyne
You could use this sample letter and these tips to write a complaint letter to send to the business or contact your local consumer protection office. If the business has a license to operate, you could contact the government agency that oversees licensing.
I was trying to login into my face book account. I was offed a way to login with my phone with a pop up.. I told them the type phone i have they sid it would make it all EASIER.I was help trough the process for 18 hours.
NOT AND HOUR LATER , AFTER I WAS SEEING IT DIDNT WORK I GOT A POP UP THAT MY PH. WONT WORK.. THEY ACCESSED MY PH AND MORE WITH OUT MY PERMISSION. THEY CHANGED MY EMAILS WITH OUT PERMISSION. THEY MISSPELLED MY NAME ON BOTH MY AND MY WIFES EMAIL STILL WITHOUT PERMISSION..TO CHANGE EITHER. MY WIFE WAS SLEEPING. I WENT TO COMPLAIN AND THEY HAD THOUSANDS OF THE SAME POSTED AS IF PROUD THE ARE SCREW UPS.
THEY AGAIN WENT INTO MY COMPUTER WITH OUT PERMISSION ITS MESSED UP BAD.THEY SAID IT WOULD FIX IT. THEY REMOVED NY WINDOWS AND ADDED THEIRS WITH OUT PERMISSION.THEY ILLEGALLY BROKE INTO MY COMPUTER. THEY ILLEGALLY MADE ME USE THEIR SERVICES. THEY ILLEGALLY HAVE ACCESS TO MY PH AND DEVICES. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN MY SAME BOAT. I WANT THEM OUT OF MY STUFF. I WANT MY COMPUTER FIXED AS WAS. I WANT TO BE CONFISCATED FOR MY TIME AND TROUBLE. I WANT TO PROSECUTED THEM FOR THEIR FTA VIOLATIONS AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES, THRE IS NO ROOM FOR LL THEY DID.
In reply to I was trying to login into my by markspaypal
This FTC article about malware might have some ideas to help you recover your phone and email service.
In reply to Hi, I have been trying to by 109RTC203
You may want to contact the business directly, or contact your state Attorney General and ask if they help you get this resolved.
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