If you are not happy with the quality of service or product, it’s important to speak to the business directly. You can start the conversation with a manager or the business owner in person or you can write a letter. In this post, we’re going to show you how to write an effective complaint letter.
Format:
- If possible, type up your complaint letter. If you don’t have a computer, stop by your local library – oftentimes they’ll have public access computers for members to use. If you handwrite your letter, make sure your printing is neat and easy to read.
- On your letter, include your full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address and the date.
Content:
- Stick to the facts and be concise. Give a summary of what happened (in a timeline format, if appropriate) and note any verbal promises or guarantees made to you by the seller.
- Be constructive: state what you think a fair, realistic and satisfactory resolution would look like.
- Tell the business when you expect a response back (give them a reasonable amount of time, such as two or three weeks).
Sending it out:
- Make sure you send out your letter in such a way that you can prove the business received it. (If you’re mailing out a hardcopy letter, send it via registered mail and keep the receipt; if you’re emailing out an electronic letter, require a read receipt).
Reminders:
- Be polite, professional and non-threatening.
- Include photocopies of all your supporting documents (such as receipts, contracts, warranties and guarantees). Always hold on to the originals!
ADDITIONAL READING:
Excuse me, there’s a fly in my soup
How to request a refund from your credit card provider
How to write a letter to your MLA
require a read receipt via email is the most useless advice you can give. Most email clients by default are set not to send one. And most web based services don’t even allow you to request that option let alone send one. Should advise not using email or avoiding it.
Hi Brian, thanks for the feedback. How your email functions is definitely something to consider.
I was informed by my friend that she went to a a Fruiticana in Richmond British Columbia, Canada today. She was going to pick up 2 items for my family along with hers only to find out that…
ONE 4 L milk carton was priced at 15 dollars and the flour to make chapaatis was priced up to 25 dollars a bag when it is usually 14 dollars a bag.
Could you please look into this?It is very heartbreaking to think that a time such as our climate is at the moment that businesses would take advantage of fellow canadians!
Please let me know if you will be following up with this and how soon I will hear about this potential illegal price gauging.
Hi Charnjit, thank you for letting us know. The Competition Bureau is a federal organization that oversees this kind of issue. Here’s the link to their website. Please note that as of now, they are not taking phone calls but they are responding to email inquiries. They may take a little longer to respond but hopefully, they can get back to you on this.