If your complaint involves a business in another state, you may be referred to a consumer agency in that state.

Remember to copy and file all letters and forms exchanged with any consumer protection agency.

Keep records of phone calls; who was involved, what was said, and the date and time.

2torial #0762: Learn2 Make a Business Complaint Contact a consumer agency If you didn't receive a response to your letter in time, or the response was lacking in the spirit of cooperation, it's time to bring in the professionals. A host of consumer protection agencies will be glad to hear from you. They range from government to private nonprofits, general to business-specific. Here's a list of possibilities: Your state or local consumer protection office These agencies are the best place to start. They can help arbitrate your dispute or refer you to a more specific agency that might serve you better. In cases that show abusive practices, they can investigate and bring up criminal charges. Call your state or local office before sending any letters or documents, since most will want to mail you a form to file your complaint. Check the government listings in the phone book, or type "(your state's name) consumer protection office" into your Internet browser's search engine. Once you receive and complete the complaint form, you'll need to send it with copies of relevant documents and describe what you've already done to resolve the complaint. Better Business Bureaus Better Business Bureaus are organizations sponsored by local businesses that promote good relations between buyers and sellers. While they don't have the authority to force a business to resolve a complaint, most will at least contact the merchant and try to negotiate a solution. Some bureaus also offer formal arbitration--a third party agreed upon by you and the merchant who will decide on a resolution. Call your local bureau so it can check whether or not your complaint is within its jurisdiction, and, if it is, mail you a complaint form. Check the business white pages in the phone book, or try www.bbb.org on the Internet. Industry trade associations Many merchants, especially those in a service industry, belong to national associations for their trade. The help offered by these associations is usually about the same as what's provided by Better Business Bureaus. Call the merchant to see if he or she is a member of a particular group, then check the business white pages for the local (or national) number. Federal agencies Most federal agencies don't handle individual consumer complaints, but if your complaint involves a defective product that could pose a threat to other consumers (for example, a new automobile, packaged food or a child's toy), check the federal government listings in the phone book and contact the appropriate agency. In most cases, your persistence will pay off and the complaint will be resolved to your liking. After all, no business wants bad word of mouth--once it sees you're willing to go the distance and formally file a complaint, it'll be much more inclined to settle. If things don't go your way, keep in mind that your efforts won't go unnoticed. Your complaint will remain on file with the agencies you contacted, and will serve to warn others who check up on the company themselves. -end- Learn More! or All steps at once (printable version)