Consumerism: Complaint and Recorded Conversation

On filing your complaint or after-sales concerns over the phone ask first if the conversation is being recorded, regardless what the automated voice response spieled to you while your line is being queued. After you have stated your concerns, ask the phone representative to summarize what you said, including your resolution expectation. Then ask their process and turn-around time. End the call by asking for the service reference number.

Similarly, any complaint or after-sales concerns over the counter, you must ensure it is properly documented. At least one of you should be writing, you can write some bullet points. Ask to be furnished a copy before you leave the establishment or store. If you can't be provided documentation, or if no one will take down notes or give you a copy, give yourself a few minutes to compose a letter of complaint and have them received it and secure a copy of your ticket queue.

Otherwise, whatever promised given to you and all your efforts are doomed.

If you feel there is ineptness or attitude exhibited by the staff, you can immediately demand to speak to the supervisor without blaming anyone, focus on the complaint. This will save all of you time and hassle. And if it looks like the culture is anything but customer oriented and time is of the essence, try to demand this escalated to the direct superior, manager and so on and so forth.

Sometimes, you cannot control the situation, you might get frustrated and irate altogether. You could try to apologize later on and point out at least one good thing you see in what had happened, that both of you learned that similar situation can be avoided by learning from this experience.

Consumerism: Complaint or Demand Letter, and Mediation

Think that salespersons are also human beings, especially the rank and file. Don't fight the pawns. And always be prepared.

There are documents you can utilize when refunding payment for defective products or services.

Complaint letters can save you from arguing to shopkeepers and frontliners - people who are not directly liable for the defective items you bought or services you paid for.

Aside from a complaint letter, a demand letter is also a big help. Demand letters are not just for big companies to utilize to collect from debtors or simple subscribers or even customers, but it can also work against the former.

Both letters should read direct to the point demand and information about the transaction. Companies would tend to take you seriously if a demand letters is signed by a lawyer. I learned that this should be sent first before going for mediation proceedings.

In some mediation proceedings, the complainant and respondent may be asked to sign a paper, a "gag order" in worst sense, for all the parties involved including the mediator. As a result you may experience to be humiliated by the company respondent or representative. You can also be threatened, accused, bullied or name-called during a mediation activity. So, better be prepared and have a lawyer with you if you need to attend one.

Don't fret when you are in the right. And it's best to consult a lawyer before you file a legal suit, even when going for a mediation at DTI or NTC.

Gadget Review: Albite Reader 2.2 and Lenovo P50

My sister gave me a Lenovo P50 cellphone she won in a raffle from one of their company activities abroad. I love reading eBooks so I researched online which reader was compatible for its Java application. I am ecstatic to discover Svetlin Ankov's free Albite Reader 2.2 non-touch version. He has his own website Albite Books.

Among the features I really like for my sensitive eyes include the anti-aliased bitmap font.

Second, the easy free dictionary look up. It's slow and dependent to my cellphone's speed specs, but helpful enough.

Third, there are portable book setting and access storage via micro SD card capability. But it's easier to scroll down and access my eBook files including EPUB and txt files when I store them in their own separate folders by Author.

Fourth, cover images can be seen if they are small enough or compatible.

Last, is the vertical and horizontal scrolling, because one of the downside of Lenovo P50 is its brittle keypad. There are several options which key to use for scrolling.

I don't like watches because my wrist skin is sensitive from things wrapped around it and because of the above reasons, I learned to like this cellphone. It's very handy with its 240 x 320 screen.

I am looking forward to Ankov's Albite Reader 3. Unfortunately, I accidentally dropped my Lenovo P50 by the rocky seaside and got wet and damaged last March, 2013. I really love that cellphone. I'll be happy to get one again.

Ankov has a lot of grateful user for his invention, including myself. A lot of people can't afford cellphones and apps, and even live in countries who ban certain books. These people may access such with their compatible cellphones that runs Java games. I can't help but tell him my gratitude and was happy that he replied as well!