Putting meaning into ranting

With the recent unfortunate experience of mordsith regarding customer service and the way the situation unfolded (her writing a letter to the company, and the company writing back, apologizing), I couldn’t help but think of the lack of “art of ranting” here in our country. When we experience poor service or encounter a defective product, our first instinct is to rant to our friends and to whoever might be listening. After that, no more.

Ranting to our friends about the way food was served or that we bought a defetive product is a great way to get that irritation off your chest. Yes, great. But filing a complaint and writing to the company are important steps. Why?

1. Ranting will not get your complaint anywhere. Writing a complaint can result in better products and better services.
   
2. Writing a letter will put your complaint on record with the company.
3. Letting the company know of their shortcomings will give them the opportunity to be aware of the mistake [it is possible that they are not aware of it] and explain their side of the story. This will also be a learning experience for them and will give them the chance to apply the necessary corrective actions.
4. It is the right thing to do! It would also be fair to hear what the other party has to say.
   

But how do we go on with filing a complaint? Well, first and foremost, and most importantly, make sure that you have a legitimate reason to complain. For example, do not write to Orovo complaining that their diet pills don’t work when you stuff yourself with junk everyday and do not even have a minute of exercise in your daily routine! You wouldn’t want to look a fool and to fall flat on your face when it turns out your complaint has no basis at all. After ascertaining that you do have a legitimate reason, here are some important points :

• Make your letter short and brief. Get to the point. The letter should contain all the important facts about your complaint: the product or service [including serial numbers if applicable], the time of purchase, the location of the store, and other appropriate information.
• Put your emotions aside when writing. Do not be disrespectful, threatening, or angry. Write in a positive tone and remain diplomatic and courteous. You could write your complaint when your emotions are down and your mind has cooled down. Write in a formal and objective manner.
• Ask them for a reply ASAP. Let them know that you mean business. You may even ask for a refund or replacement.
• Write your full name and contact information. This was a lesson I learned when I was younger, when I wrote somewhat of a complaint letter and was told that “It would be fair for you and the one you’re writing to to write your name in full, no matter the tone of the letter” because I was too afraid to write my whole name and information.
• Keep a copy of your letter.

Writing a complaint letter can be empowering. Knowing that you have aired your side and that you may have contributed to the improvement of a product or service is certainly better than simply telling everybody else except the concerned party of the shortcoming! Taking action is better than simply playing an angry, dissatisfied customer and harboring that bitterness because of a poor service or low-quality product.

Moreover, writing a complaint letter is one way of getting freebies! Yehey!

Postscript: There are great sites, like howtocomplain.com, that offer tips and templates for complaint letters. Have fun complianing! he! he!