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How to Complain
Tired of complaining about poor service, late trains, cancelled air travel, sub-standard hotels, exorbitant bank charges, unreliable cars ... and getting nowhere?
You are sitting down with family and friends in a supposedly smart restaurant—and the food is disgusting. What do you do when the waiter asks if everything is ok? Like the majority of the population, you probably half-smile and mumble something acquiescent. Wrong! You should always complain and always explain! A complaint without explanation is worthless. Ranting and raving is bad; controlled complaining is good. Don't just walk away, let the people who caused that feeling know why. In all cases you stand to gain a lot more than ranting, or not saying anything at all.
Sports lawyer, Mel Stein, recounts the story of his life-long odyssey against the world of hotel operators, airlines, retailers, manufacturers, banks and insurers ... amongst many others. His personal experiences, sometimes hilarious and always instructive, coupled with actual and precedent letters, gives you the perfect armchair guide to complaining effectively.
Learn that of planning is far more enjoyable and rewarding than litigating, not to mention considerably cheaper!
You are sitting down with family and friends in a supposedly smart restaurant—and the food is disgusting. What do you do when the waiter asks if everything is ok? Like the majority of the population, you probably half-smile and mumble something acquiescent. Wrong! You should always complain and always explain! A complaint without explanation is worthless. Ranting and raving is bad; controlled complaining is good. Don't just walk away, let the people who caused that feeling know why. In all cases you stand to gain a lot more than ranting, or not saying anything at all.
Sports lawyer, Mel Stein, recounts the story of his life-long odyssey against the world of hotel operators, airlines, retailers, manufacturers, banks and insurers ... amongst many others. His personal experiences, sometimes hilarious and always instructive, coupled with actual and precedent letters, gives you the perfect armchair guide to complaining effectively.
Learn that of planning is far more enjoyable and rewarding than litigating, not to mention considerably cheaper!
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 13, 2019
This started off really quite amusing with funny stories and real life examples of Stein approach to being mistreated and left underwhelmed, but it very quickly become rather repetitive with the same problem redone in many different ways. I kind of think this could've been half the length and still proven useful as the message basically is 'know the facts, keep records and keep trying'. Maybe more of a book to dip in and out of as and when.
April 15, 2011
Fed up of expecting a certain service and not receiving it? If yes, then this is the book for you. Stein dedicates each chapter on a particular aspect of public services (theatre, airports, insurance, etc). He tells us about his own experiences and how he dealt with them. He is witty, as well as informing.
This book took me out of the "If I complain, nothing's going to be done so there's no point" frame of mind. What's the point in me complaining about services to people who can't do anything about it (i.e. my friends)? Better to take it all out on the people who deserve it!
More people should complain! Maybe we'll stop getting shop assistants that roll their eyes when you ask for help, and maybe companies will employ more people to handle customer services calls (rather than being on hold for hours at our own expense).
This book took me out of the "If I complain, nothing's going to be done so there's no point" frame of mind. What's the point in me complaining about services to people who can't do anything about it (i.e. my friends)? Better to take it all out on the people who deserve it!
More people should complain! Maybe we'll stop getting shop assistants that roll their eyes when you ask for help, and maybe companies will employ more people to handle customer services calls (rather than being on hold for hours at our own expense).
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews