Money Fix: How to complain effectively

As many Long Island consumers have found, the troubling economy brought with it an increase in scams, shady deals and shoddy service. A new survey by front-line consumer groups, including the Consumer Federation of America, found the top complaints last year involved vehicles, credit/debit cards and home improvements.

That's why consumers, educators and community organizations might want to check out the free "2010 Consumer Action Handbook" from the Federal Citizen Information Center. The guide can be ordered or downloaded from, ConsumerAction.gov. One section specifically addresses how to file complaints.

Letter: If you speak to the merchant or service provider and get no immediate satisfaction, put your complaint in writing. The handbook includes a format for a sample letter, along with details to include, such as date and place of transaction; product or service; nature of the problem; what you want, i.e. a refund, repair; and a deadline by which you would like a response and resolution. Also, avoid an angry tone.

"The person who'll help you probably is not the person who committed the problem and will be more likely to help if you're calm and polite," says Marietta Jelks, Consumer Action Handbook manager.

Directory: The book also includes listings of state, local and federal consumer agencies and organizations. You'll also find addresses and phone numbers for about 600 companies, direct lines to the customer service and consumer complaint departments.

Prevention: Check out the advice on common scams and ways to avoid them. See also ConsumerFed.org, under consumer information.