Will Writing Complaint Letters Make Me A Better Person?

Last week, we had yet more problems at our favorite local BBQ restaurant. After sitting in the drive-through line for 20 minutes, we were rewarded with a trainee who, for the second time, told us our total(this is after she’d already rang it up, we’d paid with a credit card, signed the receipt, etc.). Then, when the food finally was handed through the window, she simply turned away. No, “Sorry for your wait”, “It Won’t Take This Long Next Time”…not even a simple, “Thank you.” So, because I love the food at this place, I wrote a complaint letter to the management.

Earlier this week, we were dining in another local restaurant. When we walked in, the strong odor of a dirty, soured mop smacked me in the head. This stench isn’t foreign to the location, but this time it was stronger-and it didn’t disipate as we got to our booth. Again, I love the place and want to see the problem fixed. So, I wrote another letter to this company’s management.

Am I usually one to complain like this? No, not really. And I don’t want to become someone who is constantly looking for something to complain about. I do expect a certain level of customer service and when that service or product is below par? I think management should be aware. That is, provided it’s a pretty egregious offense(like, I’m not going to complain if the waitress takes an extra 30 seconds to fill my drink).

So, to keep from becoming a crochety old man, I’ve decided that every time I write a complaint letter, I need to balance that with a complimentary communication when a job is well done. Which brings me to today…

While shopping at my favorite men’s clothier, I was disappointed when the sweater I ordered two weeks ago still hadn’t arrived at the store. The associates got right on it and, later that afternoon, my favorite associate drove 20 miles to the nearest store to make right the mistake. And tonight, I penned a letter to the company talking about his excellent service. Plus, he just gets me. He knows I’m a bargain shopper, gives honest opinions on the items I’m looking at and remembers the past purchases in order to match them with new purchases. THAT is worthy of a letter.

When I have to be negative, I want to counterbalance that with positive insights. I do not want to get into ruts and I think this is a fabulous way for me to keep a positive mindset in the retail arena. Will it work for you? Why not try it?!