At a time when shopping is big as well as returning items, we find items that dont work or live up to our expectations. Rather than just complain, do something about it. It might surprise you. I bought two items that came with a pen and the pen didnt work on either. I wrote the company about it and the company promptly sent me replacements. In another situation, my Microsoft mouse stopped working. Microsofts customer service was easy to reach and will send a replacement as soon as its in stock. On the flip side, I contacted Logitech support to ask questions and it was one of the longest, most tortuous support calls. The Dallas Morning News had an article on the topic and how to best go about product problems. The article included an interview with Tim Duffy, a consumer evangelist who says hes not a fan of sites like Planet Feedback (planetfeedback.com). When something breaks or doesnt work right, here are the steps that work well for me: 1. If the problem occurs within days after buying the item, return it to the store and exchange it or get a refund. 2. If the problem occurs past the return date, go to the companys Web site and search for information on the problem. 3. If the Web site doesnt have the answers, search the Internet for resolutions. This works more than you might think. 4. Call the company if you make it this far. It might lead to a replacement, repair, or some other solution. 5. Let others know about your experience by posting reviews on Amazon, forums, or wherever you like to share your thoughts. Here are the sites referenced in the article. * thesqueakywheel.com * consumervoiceusa.com * mywoes.com * complainbook.com |
