Hi all, I saw this great post from the Cardoffers.Com discussion board with a link to the original source - the April 2002 issue PC World. It's good food for thought! Of course, CreditNetters have elevated this an art form! http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,81997,pg,6,00.asp __________________________ 1. READ THE FINE PRINT. Is your problem really covered by that warranty? (For credit cards read that as "CardHolder Agreement") Make sure you're in the right before you start a fight. 2. ONE WORD: ESCALATE. Don't assume that the first person you reach is your last resort. Ask to speak to a manager. Keep going until you find someone who can fix what's wrong. 3. CREATE A PAPER TRAIL. Keep everything - receipts, emails, shipping confirmations, a phone log - and be ready to produce these documents when they're needed. 4. KEEP IT CLEAN. Hurling insults and sarcasm may be cathartic, but it'll get your complaint tossed in the circular file. Stick to the facts of your case, and you'll better your odds. 5. DON'T GET MAD, GET HELP. Is the company a member of the Better Business Bureau or a trade organization? Look for a logo or a link on the company's site. Many such groups can intervene effectively. 6. SAY WHAT YOU WANT. Do you want a refund? A replacement product? A handwritten apology from the CEO? Most companies say they'll be happy to make you happy, if your request is reasonable. So tell them up front. 7. CALL IN THE FEDS. If nothing else works, contact the authorities. If the business is legit, you'll certainly get its attention. And if it's not, you might help bring it down.
