Imagine spending most of your hard-earned money on a product or service you're dying for, and one week later finding out it is worthless. What should you do?

CONSUMER COMPLAINT TIPS

• Complaining sooner is better than later. This increases your chance for a satisfactory settlement. If you postpone complaining, the company may not be responsible for solving your problem.
  
  
• Contact the store where you purchased the product or service by phone and present your problem, Make sure relevant information is on hand, including: a description of the item model and/or serial number, account number, receipt, billing statement or canceled check. Explain the problem how you want the merchant to respond. (Exchange, refund etc)
  
  
• If phone contact is unsuccessful, try to go to the merchant in person and ask to speak to the manager or a supervisor.
  
  
• If your first two attempts result in failure, it is time to put your complaint in writing to the merchant or the manufacturer. Complaint letters are important because a business may ignore a complaint if it's not in writing. Sometimes the person who has the authority to solve the problem may not be aware of your complaint and a letter brings it to their attention.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A COMPLAINT LETTER

• Your name, address, home and work phone numbers, including when you can be reached
• The business address, telephone number, and names of the people, at the business, who you have complained to
  
• Your account number, if applicable
  
• A brief explanation of the problem and important facts
  
• The model, make, and serial number
  
• A description of what you have done to resolve the problem
  
• How you would like the problem resolved
  
• Copies of all related documents (keep the originals for future reference)

If your complaint is concerning a service, include a description of the service and the name of the person who performed it.

In most cases, a letter will result in a satisfactory settlement. However, if the manufacturer or business does not cooperate, you may want to take additional steps.

ADDITIONAL STEPS

Contact the Better Business Bureau. Their services are free and they may be able to assist you in finding a resolution to your problem. You may contact the Consumer Protection Agency of the Arizona Attorney General's office to file a formal complaint by calling 602-542-5763 or 1-800-352-8431 (outside the Phoenix or Tucson metro area) or vising http://azag.gov - see Consumer or you may file in Small Claims Court.