I no longer hesitate to complain when I'm disappointed with the quality of a product.
And in the vast majority of cases, I receive a voucher or a check in return, from consumer service.
A few weeks ago, I came home from the supermarket very happy at the idea of the superb beef stew that I was going to prepare for the arrival of my in-laws at home.
I had bought over two kilos of beef and thought I had gotten a great deal.
Except that once denervated, sorted and cooked, it turned out to be hard as wood. I let it simmer for hours and hours, nothing to do, the meat remained shriveled and hard to chew. No stewed beef, so for the meal with step-dad and step-mom, but stuffed tomatoes, made with the meat that I minced finely.
I could have stopped there, but I was so upset with the supermarket that I took my best pen to send a heartfelt letter to customer service, explaining to them why I was not happy. I have attached the receipt, as well as the label that I found on one of the packages, so that they can trace the route of the meat.
A few days later, I received a letter of apology, at the end of which I was invited to go to the reception of the store, to collect "two vouchers for 7 euros each". A commercial gesture that I really appreciated!
Claims should not be made out of the blue. On the other hand, when they are justified, I find that it is normal to turn to the competent department to obtain a refund for the product (or service) which did not conform to what was expected. The consumer service is there for that and must, normally, reimburse you for what you paid.
I have already done it with the SNCF, for a trip in the middle of summer when the air conditioning had broken down, with EDF for an excessively high bill or with La Poste, for a forwarding service not respected. On the food side, I no longer hesitate to complain when I find a pizza that is too salty or a pasty sauce.
Too bad if I come across as a nuisance, I believe it is my right as a consumer to demand the best of products!
In the end, I usually get reimbursed between 15 and 30 euros of poor quality products per month, of different types and brands. Always keeping in mind that my complaint must be justified, and not made solely for the purpose of damaging the brand!
