Why complaining can pay off!

by Rachel Robson on 23 June 2009  |  10 comments
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If something’s got your goat, get complaining! You might be rewarded for your efforts.

Complaining when things go wrong is always a good idea in my book. And I don't just necessarily mean complaining about a financial company - I mean complaining about any service you're not happy with!

Just the other day I wrote a rather stroppy email to Tesco after receiving what I can only call shoddy customer service. I'd ordered some online shopping to be delivered on a Saturday morning, but the delivery van decided to inconveniently break-down on route to my house.

This meant I received a phone call to tell me my shopping would be approximately three to four hours late. In fact, it was even later than that. So, as a result, I spent most of my Saturday hanging around waiting for the delivery. To make matters worse, when my shopping finally did arrive, I didn't even receive an apology from the driver. Charming.

And what did I get as compensation? Just my delivery charge back. That's a lousy £5.50.

So I decided it was time I aired my views to Tesco Customer Services. After all, this wasn't the first time I'd had a bone to pick with Tesco. I wasn't rude, but I got my point across and explained exactly why I was unhappy and what I expected Tesco to do to rectify the situation. 

After waiting a few days, I eventually received an apology from Tesco and a £10 voucher off my next shop (if I bother to use Tesco again, that is - which, against my better judgement, I probably will.)

So needless to say, I felt rather pleased with myself. Ok, so £10 isn't exactly a huge amount, but considering it only took about ten minutes to write my email, I think it was well worth the effort. And it made me feel better anyway!

So my point is that complaining really can pay off. And it really is worth taking the time to sit down and complain if you haven't received satisfactory service. It doesn't have to take long either - just a spare ten minutes in your lunch hour, or after work one evening.

Over the past couple of years I've also secured a £20 voucher after complaining to Next, £50 in my bank account from Halifax after they completely messed up the delivery of my new debit card, and a discounted V Plus digital box with Virgin Media after whinging about the pathetic service I was receiving.

I have to say that almost all of my complaining has paid off in some way or another. The only retailer that's still in my bad books is Curry's after they showed very little interest in my complaint. But then I don't plan to shop in Curry's ever again, so they've lost my custom for good.

So don't delay! If something's got your goat, get complaining! After all, you've got nothing to lose!