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2.1 FURTHER STEPS TO RESOLVING YOUR PROBLEM; HOW TO COMPLAIN AND GET RESULTS

You are not helpless, but be careful. Choose your words carefully about what you will do if they won't help you out.

Never threaten to sue. They will know that it is meaningless. A law suit is costly, takes years, and you can be counter sued.

Local businesses depend on goodwill and word-of-mouth so threatening to tell your friends or to call the local TV station might yield results. Just stick to the facts of your particular situation. Don't go overboard.

There are numerous organizations that may help you resolve complaints. Branches of the Better Business Bureau are locate in most areas, for example. The Attorney General's office in your state can either help you or tell you where to go.

Knowing where to file a complaint can make a big difference. For example, threatening an insurance company with a letter to the federal government will probably get you no where. However, threatening to write your state's insurance commissioner will often get you results, because state officials can put an insurance company out of business in your state.

Computer literate people can post messages on news groups. I have seen hundreds of messages detailing consumer complaints on Internet news groups. This can't be good for business. If you know what you are doing, you can reach hundreds of thousands of people. Again stick only to the facts. Any exaggeration or unsubstantiated statements may get you into trouble.

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