February 16th 2025.
I had an epiphany - there was only one way to make things right. As I hung up the phone, a surge of adrenaline coursed through my body. I had just received an apology from a major supermarket chain, along with a £15 voucher. All because I had taken the time to complain about their poor service. And let me tell you, I was ecstatic with the outcome.
It all started that morning when I entered their store, hoping to quickly grab a school shirt for my granddaughter. Unfortunately, the size I needed was not on the shop floor, so I sought out an employee for assistance. After scouring the entire store, I finally found someone about 10 minutes later. By that point, I was feeling quite irritable.
To make matters worse, the employee I encountered was not very helpful at all. They barely made an effort to assist me, only responding with short, unenthusiastic answers. It was clear that they would rather be anywhere else but there. Frustrated, I left the store without the shirt and went elsewhere.
As I walked out, I realized that there was only one way to rectify this situation - I needed to take my complaint further and demand an apology from the company's management. And let me tell you, I am a firm believer in the power of complaining. I couldn't recommend it enough.
To be honest, when I was younger, I never really thought to complain about anything. I always assumed that the customer was always right, so I never saw the need to voice my dissatisfaction. But that all changed when I turned 50. It was around the time of my menopause, and I could feel myself becoming more irritable and easily annoyed. Plus, since I had reduced my work hours, I had more time on my hands to overthink things.
At first, I didn't think that complaining would make a difference, so I continued to keep my thoughts to myself. But one night, while out to dinner with my husband, I finally let it all out. When the waitress asked if we were enjoying our meal, I spoke up and informed her that my husband's dinner was cold. My husband cringed, knowing he would have just suffered through it, but I was fed up and decided to speak my mind.
To my surprise, his meal was quickly replaced, and our drinks were even comped - a huge saving for us, as we do enjoy a good drink. From that moment on, I was hooked. My complaining self was born.
My next complaint was to a hospital, after I witnessed their staff using the prayer room as a staff room. This made me angry because families were unable to use the room for its intended purpose. So I took matters into my own hands and emailed the hospital's management to voice my concerns. And within a day, I received responses assuring me that the room would soon be reserved for those who needed it.
Since then, I've complained about all sorts of things over the years. And let me tell you, it has paid off. I've been given upgraded seats at the theater, and I've even had my hotel room changed four times until I got the one I felt we deserved. I'm sure I'm on many websites and hotel registers now, with an asterisk next to my name warning the staff about me. But if it means they will improve their service, then I have no problem with that.
In fact, I truly believe that complainers like myself hold companies and service sectors accountable. And it's not just for my own benefit - it's for the benefit of all customers. It's no wonder I'm flabbergasted when someone actually goes out of their way to help me. I find myself thanking them profusely, even though they are just doing their job.
But the truth is, the service sector is seriously lacking. It seems like employees just don't care or take pride in their work. So when I do encounter exceptional service, I make sure to show my appreciation. Because in the end, it's all about making a difference and helping companies improve.
Of course, complaining does take time and effort, which is why many people either walk away disgruntled or lack the confidence to speak up about their bad experiences. In fact, a study found that 75% of Brits avoid making complaints altogether, with younger generations being the least likely to take action.
But I know how to complain - and I do it well. My personal tips would be to write down the issues before reaching out to the company. And when explaining your complaint, be clear and polite. But be careful not to raise your voice or become hostile, as that will only harm your case.
So the next time you are disappointed with a meal or service, consider expressing your concerns to the company. In the long run, you are doing us all a favor. That restaurant owner may not be aware of issues within their establishment, and they can't improve if they don't know about them. And for me, complaining is not just about my own satisfaction, but it's about making the world a better place for everyone.
But if you disagree with my approach, don't come complaining to me about it. After all, I am just doing my part to make a difference.
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