Returning goods or making a complaint

[Alex]

I used to get nervous about doing either, returning goods or making a complaint by phone, email or in person. I'm better now that I have had more experience, but because it's negative it's never something to look forward to, but some people do like it.


I can still get anxious, but I always rehearse what to say and think about what I want as an end result. A refund, exchange, or someone to halt a process. At times you do have to resort to social media to get a result, and that can work, but it's still an unpleasant task.


Do you avoid doing either as it's too much for you, or do psych yourself up? I do the latter because, it's my money, I don't like being wronged, and if I don't do it then the company or person gets away with it and that will make me more anxious with myself.

 

[djanx]

Well, I am uncomfortable bargaining. I mean I am fine with negotiating when it comes to work, but when it comes to personal life, I hate bargaining. Same way, I hate going back or returning things. I mean to me its such a waste of time. Unless something is really broken/defective I don't return it. But, yeah, if at a restaurant or any other place I get bad service, I do return the food or complain.

 

[Choochoo]

I get anxious when planning to make the call, which is usually done a few days later because that's just how I am, because I tend to imagine a lot of the possibilities such as basically not getting what I would like out of the transaction. It isn't extreme anxiety though as much as I just may be worrying a bit too much for such small purchases, but it's kind of in my programming to behave that way so I just try and calm myself down and remind myself that I will find out when I make the call and there's not much sense in torturing myself with worry leading up to it. 

 

[Azelma]

I'm horrible at this too, also bargaining. Even if I know I'm right and I've rehearsed the whole thing, it still feels like too much to overcome. It doesn't really help even if I get to do it over phone or email, I still feel weird about it and like I'm being a nuisance.

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

Shockingly I have never had a problem returning an item, I mean if the place I am going to looks busy I will be cranky and anxious but once inside just go about my business as quick as possible. I get very very anxious if I need to complain though. I can remember various times having dinner with my best friend and on at least 2 occasions my order being wrong and he told me to speak up. I told him I couldn't and I didn't want to get our waitress in trouble and I was going to eat it (though wrong order). So instead when she came back he made the complaint for me both times and my food was corrected. This has happened when ordering fast food before too. That is one thing I just don't care enough about I guess and if I am really anxious about it I try to avoid it. I guess its good my friend spoke up for me, but in that situation I should of tried harder.

 

[Alex]

I don't wish to complain and I hate to return things, but when they are broken then you have to. I always feel as if they think you are trying to pull a fast one as many people do this to make money by returning stolen goods.


Sometimes I intend to complain and then don't as I don't want people to get into trouble. There is a supermarket with a coffee machine where you can buy to go coffee and three times now, they have run out of cups and there is no one restocking them or anyone to ask. It's just a pain, and I was going to complain as it wasn't a one off, but I just think it'd down to poor service.


I had a below standard breakfast today in a supermarket and I may complain. I didn't do it on the spot as I was with dad and we were too hungry to wait for another one to be made. If it was just one thing fine, but all except the beans, mushroom and hash brown were bad. The toast was still bread, the eggs not cooked well, and the sausages were dry and shriveled up.

 

[Panic57]

I will return things if they break or I've bought a warrantee on it.  The more expensive with the goods or service the more likely I am to complain.  I grew up with a business woman for a mom and you don't suffer either quietly becasue you work hard or your money the business you're buying from should too.  Of course I hate to complain but I have my mom's voice in my head telling me that I deserve good service and products as much as the next person. 

 

[explorerX7]

I have  no difficulty in returning goods that are have not met the suitability standard. I know it's my right to do so if I am not satisfied and I will leave no stone unturned to get satisfaction.

 

[vegito12]

I usually do this when it is necessary and also depending on the store you need to go it can be stressful if you are not sure if the team member fo the store can help you or does not know what you mean especially if they have not had experience in dealing with complaints or returns in the past, and also it can take time to think what you are going to say and hope it goes well. I think when I was younger I was more nervous as I was little and also you don't know if the complaint will be dealt with straight away or take time and what sort of person you will be speaking to and also it is something that you hope that someone else is with you so that you feel more confident and not shy when you are talking to the person. I reckon that know that I am older I can do this easier and not worry too much as I have more confidence and also I can speak better and think before going to the store so that I am ready to say what I need to and make sure the item is in the original condition so that I can get a refund or a another item to the same value to what I spent.

 

[amy88]

I find that in situations where I need to complain, I prefer to do it via email/online chat options that the company has, rather than in person or over the phone. To me it's just easier when I have time to think about my response and how to structure it - it's just calming to me when I feel confident in the reply I've put together.


Over the phone or in person I feel like my anxiety comes out ad I end up tripping over my words and stuff - and then I just lose confidence about what I'm complaining about.