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Hi,
I have had a couple of things happen to me this weekend which have resulted in me having to complain. The first was a dodgy haircut, the second was my relatively new front door lock failed and the company don't want to honour the gaurentee. Anyway the reason I have started this thread is because I have realised I am rubish at complaining. I am a mouse when I should be a man....if you get what I mean!
What are your experiences of complaining? I need the strength and encouragement to follow this through.
On the whole I'm a mouse!
I do have surprising moments though and have been known to stand my ground and complain - but rarely, sadly. I tend to go down the lette route (as some on here will know 
) as I find that can be more direct while being polite. The letter often works.
I will follow it up with a call though, as then I can take points from the letter.
Here's my theory: in England people like to moan, but not complain. I complain when I don't get good service/faulty goods/etc. My children hate it! :-)
I agree, Hopeful, you can hear people grumbling but not often taking action. Many of you know that I often "do a Victor" and complain. Actually, Victor Meldrew rants and raves and seldom gets anywhere whereas I find polite but firm is the best. With big companies, once I have been through the official channels, I find a good ploy is to get old of the CEO's email address (on the net) and send an assertive email, of course it is dealt with by a person who is not the CEO but it is someone higher up and it tends to work.
It helps to know your consumer rights. Click here to see a guide
Thanks everyone,
I have contacted the hairdressers and they have been very helpful, I have an appointment to see their 'executive stylist' on thursday. The thing that made me smile was when I rang them I started the call by appologising for complaining...which was what caused me to start this thread.
The lock company is another matter. I initially contacted them by email to find out how I went about getting the gaurentee honoured, however their response was to tell me that my door had obviously been attacked and therefore was not covered. I emalied them back pointing out that no one had tried to break in or 'attack' my door therefore I needed to know how I went about getting the lock replaced. Their response was the same, that they did not replace locks when they had been attacked. I then decided I needed to talk to someone on the phone as email was getting me nowhere but no one was available to take my call, so I'm now waiting for someone to call me back. I am now really angry as I feel they are calling me a liar.
Sally, I shall remember your tip when I eventually get to talk to someone.
Another top tip is to stand up, put your hands on your hips (makes you feel more empowered) and take a deep breath before you answer the phone.
Good luck and let us know how it goes. If you don't hear from them, call them back soone rather than later.
Louise, please would you have the name of the CEO or similar (email even better) of NHS Bursaries?
I've not received any bursary since September and they are saying it's because they've not got an application for 2012/2013 when I am looking at their letter saying "Thank you for completing your Bursary application form for the academic year 2012 / 2013'.
I am absolutely fuming!!!
Hi Hopeful, it is understandable that you are feeling furious. Have you rung the complaints helpline on 0300 330 1345 and/or sent an email to bursarycomplaint@nhspa.gov.uk?
I have just been in touch with them and they are going to get back to me with what to do next if you are not happy with the response you have received from them.
Aw Anna, thank you! I have no idea how many times I have rung them and how many emails I have sent. But (!!!) today I think I have had a breakthroug - I spoke to the 'Helpline Manager' and - I must have repeated myself at least half a dozen times - got her to agree to look at the letter I have, so I was going to send off a copy. Ten minutes later she phoned me back and miraculously she had found my application form. Somebody had scanned it in with last year's (I did actually suggest that to everybody I spoke to!). So hopefully it's all resolved now.
Hi Hopeful that is great news! I have just received an email from them too, that I shall forward to you privately, although it sounds as though you have got it all sorted now! Well done for persevering (although I guess you had no choice on this matter! )
Glad you've got it sorted hopeful.
My issues with the lock shop continue. As I guessed, no one from the customer care dept rang me back so I rang them again. They are still insistant that the door was 'attacked' and are not willing to listen to my reasons as to why it couldn't have been 'attacked'. They've tried to fob me off with a story about how its not their decision and have told me to ring the customer care dept of the company who make the locks! I now feel totally frustrated, so......I've found the name of the managing director and his address and I have written to him directly....lets see what that brings?
Oh well done pancakequeen, very assertive of you. Fingers crossed.
You're doing well pq
Well done PQ!
I had a phonecall today telling me I will have a very substantial sum of money in my account next Friday. Mentioning the RCN was probably a good move..... :-)
How exciting hopeful. Can you spend some of the money on a nice treat or is it earmarked for other things?
What a relief for you hopeful. I'm so glad you've been able to sort that.
Excellent new Hopeful!
That's a big relief, Hopeful.
Great stuff, pq, let us know how you get on. The telephone number for the Master Locksmiths Association is 0800 783 1498 and if you don't get any joy from the company it would be worth giving them a call.
Thanks louise, I'm hoping it won't come to that but I will make a note of the number just in case.
I had my haircut, again, yesterday. They agreed that my hair hadn't been cut well, she restyled it, however she had to cut it quite short so I'm feeling a bit bare!
Hi pq, glad that the hairdressers were in agreement with you, I hope you get used to it soon, I'm sure you look fab 
I'm liking your new thread PQ, it can be so difficult getting the balance right. It was observing friends that made me realise that there are techniques to successful complaining, i'm still trying to master it as i'm not much of a complainer either, but i feel that it is mostly about being assertive and continually stating the problem and your rights, like a broken record, and keep asking to speak with the manager or someone higher like the owner etc, as a last resort i have on occassion threatened to go to some omnibudsman or trading standards etc, but this would be dependant on what your complaining about.