As Webmaster of a number of popular writing help destination sites, I am often asked to assist people with writing their complaint letters. In fact, “complaint letter” info and samples are among the most popular subjects of searches on my Web sites.

Personally, I enjoy writing complaint letters because, if one is done properly, nine times out of ten it will receive a favorable response. So there is usually a reward involved. You might not always get everything you’re looking for, but it’s rare that a well-crafted complaint letter won’t get you some serious action.

This is a revised and updated version of an article I wrote a couple of years ago that will tell you exactly how to approach and write a complaint letter:

Complaint Letters WILL Get You Action…

Complaint letters aren’t always fun, but sometimes they need to be written. In many cases, if people don’t complain, the problem agency at fault (i.e. company or government) won’t even know that the problem you and others may have experienced even exists.

Ultimately, legitimate complaints, by even a few people, can (and often do) result in better service for everybody. Not only that; writing them can be personally beneficial too!

That’s right. Writing complaint letters can be an empowering and therapeutic experience! It allows one to take action instead of playing the role of a victim and “nursing” an ongoing resentment towards a company about poor service or treatment received. Once the complaint letter is written and in the mail, one can “let it go” knowing that one has done something tangible and constructive about the situation.

Not only that, but properly written and handled complaint letters get action!

After I started writing complaint letters, I began receiving gracious letters of apology and contrition from senior executives including bank vice-presidents and v.p.s of marketing for giant corporations.

Getting those, felt one heck of a lot better than “polishing” an ongoing resentment and getting even angrier the next time something bad happened. Sometimes I even get discount coupons and free merchandise!

Last year, a one page complaint letter earned me a $2,200 credit from a major credit card company. Another one got a body shop to write-off a $1,000 repair bill.

10 SECRETS THAT WILL GET YOU ACTION

Here are 10 trial-and-error strategies I have learned for writing complaint letters that are guaranteed to get you attention and action.

1. Write To The Senior Person Responsible It is important that you get the name and detailed mailing address of a very senior person responsible for the product or service that you are complaining about. I generally try to write to the V.-P. level. Never go below Director level if you want a serious response. Name and address information can be obtained from the organization’s Web site or by calling the company and asking for the name and title of the senior person to whom you should write.

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