How to Properly Contact Custumer Service and Resolve a Problem

Have you ever been charged a fee you didn't think you should have been charged on your credit card? Have you ever purchased an item only to have it break 6 months into owning it but beyond the warranty? Here are helpful tips to help you out.

1. Call the Customer Service Number with a clear, concise statement of what's wrong and what you want done. This may sound simple but most people call when they are angry or without a clear idea of what they want to happen as a result of the call. Not that the representative will necessarily want to help you out but at least give them the opportunity. If something is broken, tell them that. Be clear. Don't tell them a story of how you got something and what happened to it. Next, tell the person the result you want. Is it a refund? Is it a repair? A replacement? If you set these straight forward goals for your call, you will at least know whether your call is successful or not at the end.

2. Always ask for the customer service representative identification number so that if you have to make a complaint about that person, you can ID him or her. If he or she won't give it to you, then call back to try to get it. If not, write a letter.

3. Putting things in writing. It's so important to put things in writing. The power of a letter is really amazing. Sometimes, putting your problem down and offering a solution and desired conclusion to your problem for the company in letter form will get you what you want. In the past, I have written companies and have received responses, apologies, and future discounts. I think that most companies recognize that in the end, unhappy customers are not good for business. Furthermore, it's one thing to dial the phone. It's another thing to spend 1/2 and hour writing a 3 page letter. Also, in the event that the matter escalates to a legal one in the future, you will not have documentation that you gave the company notice regarding the issue at hand.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for a manager or the manager of the manager. You paid money for something and should be getting a quality product, whether that be a service or a thing.