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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

complaining is there any point

31 replies

ghostspirit · 09/12/2014 16:34

im just wondering do companys just humour you? ie im sorry this has happend... im sorry this is beyond our control... im sorry it wont happen again... yes there have been other complaints to we are looking in to this matter.... when actually they dont really give a toss.

OP posts:
ILovePud · 09/12/2014 23:09

I work for the NHS and (in my area at least) complaints are taken seriously. I'm often quite pleased when a patient complains (not pleased that they have to complain obviously) because this often leads to action.

AMillionNameChangesLater · 10/12/2014 17:14

Thanks! It was a long conversation

gubbinsy · 11/12/2014 09:18

I answer complaints for the theatre I work in. I don't mind when we've genuinely got something wrong or the complaint is reasonable but man we get some crazy entitled ones. My favourites are when people booked months ago but haven't checked tickets and turn up for the wrong performamce then get apoplectic that it must be our fault, that we should just let them in now to the same seats and they'd like compensation. We even send out a reminder before the show to tell them they have tickets!

NoSundayWorkingPlease · 11/12/2014 10:05

It depends on the nature of your complaint.

I work in the complaints department of a UK bank.

Serious complaints that are factual - mistakes on their account, an error made by a member of staff etc - get treated seriously, rectified and potentially compensated with a credit to the account or a gift hamper.

BUT I'd say about half of the complaints we get aren't actionable.

My loan interest rate is too high. I'm unhappy with my ATM withdrawal limit of £500 p day. I'm unhappy I was charged £20 for going £100 overdrawn. Not happy that i have to provide ID to open a new account, although i already bank with you. All policy - tough titties basically. Of course, to maintain the company image they get a beautifully worded letter back applogising that they're unhappy and explaining our policy reasoning and 'I do hope you can understand. We very much value your business'. But essentially, yes, these complaints are pointless. A waste of time.

Then we get service complaints that are unprovable. X in the local unit looked at me funny and had a rude tone. I spoke to X at the branch who promised me this but it never happened. Some people write pages and pages of their opinion on our service, all general and going back months or years - nothing that can be investigated. These letters get skim read and another grovelling apology. Sometimes a token compo of £20 to make them go away.

'We appreciate your feedback on this matter' - if you ever get this line, roughly translated it means 'There is nothing that can be done and your pointless moaning has wasted your time and ours. We have scanned your complaint letter/comments to our system to that we can tick the box of meeting our legal and regulatory obligations of recording all complaints, but it will never be looked at again'.

Mousefinkle · 11/12/2014 11:19

Depends what the complaint is and who you're complaining to.

DH is manager of a restaurant. They take complaints very, very seriously and are pretty much forced to offer a free meal regardless of whether they believe the customer is telling the truth or not (and yes, some customers know this and take the piss to get free food- "there's a hair in my food!" Etc. Angry). Official complaints go on a record, head office come down so hard on them for any official complaint so they're very quick to try and correct any errors to avoid customers calling head office to whinge. Then they get shouted at for food wastage and all the rest... Can't win.

Since having DC I've noticed I find it easier to complain. I haven't really had an issue with most complaints I've made, they usually refund quickly or offer a replacement. It's often a slower process with smaller businesses IME which is strange because poor feedback will affect them way more than any big corporation.

Sometimes you have to keep bugging them until they get sick of you and give in. Most people CBA understandably or find it degrading so just end up losing out on cash.

DownstairsMixUp · 11/12/2014 11:32

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

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