Do you complain when things don't go your way and expect compensation?

[TLSnell1981]

I will complain, if I feel the problem can or should be rectified. Do I expect compensation? Depends..whether or not the error is particularly egregious and how it is handled. Sometimes, a sincere apology will suffice.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Only if it costs me extra to deal with the issue. Like we had a big problem with a furniture delivery that resulted in taking extra time off work. They offered us a discount for a future purchase and I got them to agree to a discount on the current order.

 

[scoutie]

I've complained two times in my life to companies. The first time was when I had rented a truck from UHAUL, and when I went to pick it up, there were no trucks available. I had to be out of where I was renting at the time that day and I had people to help me move coming. I was told, "Call in an hour" and then "Call in two hours". As the day went on, it became apparent I wasn't going to get a truck. I said, "I need you to be straight with me and to stop jerking me around. Will there be a truck for me today?" the rep said, "No." I complained, and UHAUL gave me a voucher for $20 off the next time I moved....and the voucher expired two months later. I swore I would never used them again. That was 20 years ago, and I haven't.

The other time was when Comcast disconnected my cable a full week before they were suppose to. Same run around, same excuses. Whenever they come to my door to see if I want to switch to them, I tell them in my letter 15 years ago, I told them I would never use them again and I'm sticking with that promise.

 

[Squirlz]

I ordered flowers for my Wife for Valentine's Day. Ordered from Teleflora. The day came and went; not flowers. I tried calling Teleflora, no answer. The next day I get a call from Petra Florist, a local store they were the ones who were supposed to deliver. Turns out the delivery person showed up at 7:30 in the evening while we were at dinner, as people often do on Valentine's Day. Insted of calling my number which was literally on a card sticking out of the arrangement, he decided to just go back to the shop.

So they asked if I wanted them delivered today, the 15th, I said "Sure but I'm not going to pay for them". They delivered and it was a very poor representation of what was shown on the Teleflora site. I finally contacted somebody there and demaned my money back and the rep agreed with a resignation in her voice that told me she'd been doing that all day. I called again after I got the flowers to say I wanted to send them a picture of the mess Petra Florist sent me. This rep said "We'll give you a 20% discount". I said No I won't be ordering from you again. She said the 20% was for THIS order. I laughed and said No, I'm getting all my money back on this.

As I told the Petra place; you NEVER EVER miss a Valentine's Day delivery!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I will complain if I feel I was mistreated for my service. There has to be some fault on the provider, and when I complain, I complain.
Went at it for days with Verizon, they finally gave in but seriously there was a real issue.
Got sent 3 refurbished phones, that kept falting out on my wife(Texting would freeze).
I took one to a official store not reseller, worker said something along the lines of how they know they are sending phones that can't be fixed back out. This made me irate.
Got to the point where I really though about trying to see if there was a way to bring class action lawsuit. The problem was with the texting and with important text (hurricanes, storms, school emergencies, etc) being broadcasted on phones the thought that a carrier might be sending out or allowing their vendor to be sending out faulty equipment pissed me off. Really there should be some accountability especially when devise is used for crucial information, even if not reguklated like TV emergency testing.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

My daughter was quoted one price for a hairstyle when making the appointment over the phone, but then was charged $50 more when it came time to pay the bill after services took place. I was very upset by this and I asked for the manager to call me back. She explained that the hairstyle my daughter wanted took more time for the stylist to do, and that's why it fell into the other category. After she explained it all, she offered to give us a $50 credit to the salon. I said no-thank you because her explanation was enough. I did tell her that stylists should be upfront if there will be any additional charges BEFORE going ahead with the styling. That was all I wanted to see happen because of it (education-and to use it as a learning experience). The manager did a great job of talking to me on the phone and I felt much better.

 

[littleblackegg]

I tend to only complain if there is a major issue. And then, peacefully, politely and discreetly. I just want the issue fixed. I have a friend in my circle who complains constantly. About everything. I rarely eat in restaurants with her because it is so uncomfortable. It seems like she honestly believes companies are out to deprive her of some unattainable "perfect experience." Everything is a fight. Honestly, I think restaurants and other businesses give her gift cards and comped meals just to shut her up.

 

[Dis703]

If I complain it's generally because I want the problem fixed, not because I'm looking to get something. I've certainly never asked for any particular type of compensation but I have had it given to me after making a complaint. One time was when a flight attendant was pretty horrible to us on a return flight from Orlando. We were getting on the plane 2 adults with 3 young kids 5 hours after we had been scheduled to take off and now several hours past bedtime. One child was sick. She offered us "help" and then proceeded to give us major crap and tell us we had too many bags (which we didn't) and tried to force me to check bags that had items that were of medical necessity. We were under the limit which I was well aware, but she was extremely *****y to us and it was entirely unwarranted. My impression was she didn't like to have to deal with families with children on the plane and I think at first she also didn't realize my 3 year olds had their own seat. JetBlue offered us a small credit towards future flights for our trouble, but my goal in complaining was that she was completely out of line with the way she dealt with us and I felt they should know and do something about it.

I also shared some feedback with Disney on one of our prior trips. Some of it was very positive and praising specific CMs, but we also had some issues with dining and food allergies and a billing issue. The food allergy issues I just mentioned to them because while they are fabulous in general we had some struggles trying to find safe foods and spent a great deal of time walking from QS location to QS location trying to find meals my kids could eat. I complained hoping that they might listen to some constructive criticism and make changes that would be helpful to families like ours. And in this case just a couple months later they did make those exact changes we were hoping for when they added the allergy kiosk at AK. The billing issue I was rather upset about and was more trying to figure out what had happened and again let them know so it wouldn't be handled that way again. They ended up refunding me some money. I was shocked, but it was a really awesome thing for them to do.

 

[mdiplacido13]

It all depends on how I am treated. If I am treated with respect and customer service does their best I usually let things slide. The moment you are rude to me I will be speaking to supervisors and demand compensation. When it comes to Disney I hold them to a higher standard, because they pride themselves on CMs being top notch and most of the time they are. I've never had an issue with Disney. Delta airlines now that's a different story...

 

[minniecarousel]

I think the worst was my son, daughter-in-law & their 8 month old baby. Returning to NY from Orlando & their SWA flight had no A/C! No flowing air - how are they allowed to fly like that? They fully intended to file a complaint with the airline but her Grandfather died a few days after they returned home. She just didn't bother, but I wish they had followed through.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Even though you proactively located and offered to switch to a flight back to your originating airport?
.

Sure would. They caused the problem. I'm doing them a favor in helping to solve it by flying to say Indianapolis instead of Cincinnati and driving from there. They'd have to pay for a hotel to put me up for the night anyway if they're going to fly me out the next day so why not pay for the rent a car from a nearby airport to get me back to my destination from there instead? I wouldn't expect a Lambo or anything. A decent midsize would be fine. Either that or give me a voucher for a few bucks off my next flight for my trouble.

 

[Dawnlight]

It really depends. I think it can be overused and abused by some people as a means to get something for nothing. On the other hand, companies need to have accountability over piss poor products and services provided.

I recently contacted a company about a very poor product I received. I had purchased a Groupon to try this service/product out before potentially using it as gifts for family and friends. What I received was not gourmet, as advertised, but really sub par and disgusting. Even my teen boys wanted nothing to do with it (it was food, something they rarely turn down). I emailed the company with my complaint and asked for refund of my shipping costs. They responded almost immediately, refunded my shipping, and replenished my Groupon amount. They also sent another order (I had not requested this) along with a bonus item (set to arrive today). I contacted Groupon, forwarded the company's email, and they credited me the Groupon amount as I have no interest in ordering from this company again. Even if the products arrive today and are satisfactory, I can't feel confident in choosing this company for gift-giving occasions. I'd be embarrassed for the recipient to receive the low quality items I did.

This company does have a satisfaction guarantee, so I believe that they do need to stand by their products and make amends if customers aren't satisfied.

I will say that I was very impressed by the quick resolution to my complaints and that the company seemed truly sorry to have not met standards.

 

[ronandannette]

It all depends on how I am treated. If I am treated with respect and customer service does their best I usually let things slide. The moment you are rude to me I will be speaking to supervisors and demand compensation. When it comes to Disney I hold them to a higher standard, because they pride themselves on CMs being top notch and most of the time they are. I've never had an issue with Disney. Delta airlines now that's a different story...

Virtually all of the complaints I receive about my staff members being "rude" coincidentally involve a customer being told "no" to a demand, oops, request that is outside our policies.

 

[DawnM]

Depends on the complaint.

Sometimes I DO get compensation and expect it. I paid for something and that something was broken, non-working, didn't receive what I ordered, etc.....but I don't expect EXTRA compensation.....if that makes sense, just either a replacement or my money back.

 

[goofyernmost]

Virtually all of the complaints I receive about my staff members being "rude" coincidentally involve a customer being told "no" to a demand, oops, request that is outside our policies.

The worst word in the English language is "rude". No one really knows what it means. Many, as you said, think it means that they were refused something that they were not entitled to have. If someone answers negative to what they want to hear, then the person was rude. I can't tell you how many times I heard that word while in management in a municipal bus company. I was complained about one time after a distraught customer threatened me with the phrase... "You'll be hearing from my lawyer about this". I couldn't help it, I started to laugh a little, I didn't mean too and I stifled it at soon as I could. Here was a person that didn't have a pot to do in nor a window to throw it out of, yet, they had a lawyer. Here I am 68 years old and have never had a lawyer. I must admit that makes me feel like a pretty unimportant person.

Anyway, I do, on occasion complain about stuff, but, I have never expected anything other then the problem be fixed. It really depends on the problem involved and it usually takes a huge problem for me to be upset enough to even mention it to anyone.

 

[crz4mm2]

Depends upon what the circumstances are. I have asked for credit with the phone company. We have FREQUENT outages. When the outage lasts for more than a few hours, I think they should adjust my bill.
I have gotten credit some times.

 

[MainStreetMomma]

I actually kind of have the opposite problem where I don't complain or push the issue even when I probably should.

For instance, in 2011 we were staying at AKL with our 18 month old daughter in a pack-n-play when a cast member entered our room in the middle of the night (about 2 a.m.) without knocking, totally unannounced/ unexpected while we were sleeping. I suddenly woke to find him standing near the first bed in the room, empty handed, and he said he was coming to bring us towels we requested (which of course we had not, we'd been asleep for hours.) I found the whole thing very unsettling and I did report it to the front desk who said they would investigate the matter. My husband called back later that day and even went to the front desk, but no one at AKL gave us any answers other than it was being looked into. All communication regarding the issue was initiated by us. I am not a paranoid person but thinking about what may have happened makes me uncomfortable. I realize it could have been a mistake, too, but I still think I should have been more aggressive in pursuing a resolution because I was completely caught up about it the rest of my time there and got very little sleep. I guess I just feel bad about pushing or complaining or appearing to simply want to get something out of Disney and I realize now that's not a good approach either.

 

[eliza61]

I actually kind of have the opposite problem where I don't complain or push the issue even when I probably should.

For instance, in 2011 we were staying at AKL with our 18 month old daughter in a pack-n-play when a cast member entered our room in the middle of the night (about 2 a.m.) without knocking, totally unannounced/ unexpected while we were sleeping. I suddenly woke to find him standing near the first bed in the room, empty handed, and he said he was coming to bring us towels we requested (which of course we had not, we'd been asleep for hours.) I found the whole thing very unsettling and I did report it to the front desk who said they would investigate the matter. My husband called back later that day and even went to the front desk, but no one at AKL gave us any answers other than it was being looked into. All communication regarding the issue was initiated by us. I am not a paranoid person but thinking about what may have happened makes me uncomfortable. I realize it could have been a mistake, too, but I still think I should have been more aggressive in pursuing a resolution because I was completely caught up about it the rest of my time there and got very little sleep. I guess I just feel bad about pushing or complaining or appearing to simply want to get something out of Disney and I realize now that's not a good approach either.

I think Disney gets away with a bunch of stuff they shouldn't.

1) I think most people don't put up a fuss because they are on vacation and when you've worked 50+ weeks for a vacation you really don't want to use that time fighting.

2) I also think they intentionally have the hotel system set up screwing. the fact that when there is an issue you have to leave your room and travel to the front desk for help is bizarre. and when you do, 9/10 you will get a front desk staff member who is pretty much powerless to make effective change.

 

[Domo]

Stuff you. This thread did not deliver on the promises made by the title. You'll be hearing from my attorney first thing tomorrow.

Peh.

 

[Bree]

It depends on the situation. Sometimes I just want the company to be aware of something that went wrong. Other times, oh yeah i want a refund of some sort.

This past November I took my 76yo MIL on her very first Disney cruise. I rented a Cabana on Castaway Cay which has a $600 price tag. From the moment we stepped off the ship that day it was nothing but issues that continued well into the night that did not get resolved while onboard. Our cabana had rotten fruit, used sunscreen products, a broken shower, 4 extra people charged to the cabana which was charged to my MIL and not me which took 4 trips to guest services to resolve. There was much more that happened, but those are some of the issues. I tried to resolve it onboard, but was pretty much told too bad so sad. I contacted DCL when I got home and they issued me a refund.