A letter of complaint

Learn how to write a letter of complaint.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my dismay at the service at your Eden Hill branch on Saturday 14 January.

I often collect prescriptions from the pharmacy on behalf of my grandmother, Mrs Elaine Bingham. On this occasion there were two prescriptions: one for 10 x 50 mg Kendomol and one for 50 x 100 mg Leoprone. I was served quickly even though there appeared to be only one pharmacist on duty. However, as I was leaving I saw that I had been given 500 mg tablets of Kendomol. This is ten times stronger than the prescription called for.

If I hadn't noticed the difference between the prescription and the actual tablets, my grandmother could have taken a dangerous overdose of Kendomol. I would be worried about getting any future prescriptions at Eden Hill.

The pharmacist apologised and corrected the mistake but I wanted to bring it to your attention. I think it happened because there were not enough staff on duty. I understand that mistakes happen but there needs to be a minimum of two pharmacists at all times so all prescriptions can be checked.

I hope you can take steps to make sure this mistake does not happen again.

Yours faithfully,

Roger Bingham

Tips

Focus on the most important facts. Don't give unnecessary background information.
Make sure you include:
- the reason for writing (e.g. I am writing to ...)
- what went wrong
- what you would like to happen now.
Complaint letters are usually written in a formal style.
Use passives to be less direct and more formal, e.g. I was served quickly.
Use Yours faithfully to sign off if you don't know the name of the person you're writing to.

Discussion

Have you ever made a complaint? What happened?

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Worksheet100.2 KB

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Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

Topics

shopping

Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my dismay for my purchase 's on the Amazon marketplace on Friday 12 September. I often order for my family and me in your"online shop". On this occasion I orderd a pack of 6 pin's. I received them quickly even though it seemed that you sent it from Spain. The problem is that I received only 2 pin's instead of six . Moreover,despite the fact the external enveloppe was very strong, the internal packaging were open. My daughter is very sad as she expected all the 6 pin's we have paid for. I would like to receive them please. I hope you can take steps to make sure this mistake does not happen again. Yours faithfully, AB

Good evening, I have called several times and I have followed all your instructions and even so my computer still does not work and the truth is that the brand was trustworthy and from today's experience I see that it is not. It is the first time that I have problems with this brand, since I have had equipment from this brand and they always worked very well. And the truth is I do not have time to repair it, I need to make several presentations and coordinate meetings so I demand that they make me a change of equipment immediately and have it for today.

Yes, i have. I really don't understand. Why do People walk with the dog in the playground? I have two children: a boy, and a daughter. The boy is four years old and the daughter is two years old. So we often go for a walk in the playground behind our house. The playground is terrible. You can see dog's excrements every where cause people, i suppose, don't have small children and to walk with a dog in the playground for them is normally. Once, i could not stand and spoke out my indignation to woman with a dog about that. I was shocked. She said that she had been living here for a long time and that everyone is doing that.

Oh, I definitely complained several times. I did it writing a letter (when the Internet wasn't so useable), via emails and, of course, calling. What were the reasons? Honestly, I can't remember now. Obviously, I didn't get what I expected and was so frustrated that wanted to compain. Of course, my intensions to complain weren't only because of bad mood but for trying to change things for better. Someone's work, for example. I think, sometimes everyone needs to get some useful feedback and not only like "wow, you are soooo gooood" but "c'mon, you can do your job better" as well. Let's thell the truth, many people work lousy. Especialy in government organs. If you won't complain about that you will always have bad service.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my dismay about your service at the supermarket at Xinlu road on Saturday 14 January. All my daily supplies are purchased from your supermarket because it is convenient and reliable. On this occasion I bought a pineapple and asked for cutting service. A few minutes later I was told to pick up my fruit. However when I got it I found it was not the pineapple I had chosen. When I told the waiter about the mistake, she was very unfriendly. I know this happens sometimes, especially on Friday evening. I would like to get an apology from your staff and get my refund. I hope you can take steps to make sure this mistake does not happen again. Yours faithfully,

Dear Madam, I’m writing to let you know my dismay with their service provided by your bakery. I had ordered two birthday cakes for a very special occasion and one of them was brought to me with the wrong name on it and a different flavour. I ordered a strawberry cake and it came a peanutbutter one.This could have caused a big health issue as I have some guests that are allergic to nuts. I understand that mistakes can happen but I hope you can take steps to make sure this doesn’t happen anymore. Yours faithfully, Denise P. Correia

Exactly a short time ago I made a complaint towards the my Consumer's Association, because the company which manages my mobile subscription hasn't followed up on my request of cancellation. Now the Association is getting in touch with the Company for solving this problem.

I didn't make a complaint as a formal form. But, this example form is useful to know how to write your complaint.

I have received some times some deliveries that didn't fill my expectations. Following the example : Dear Sala I am writing to express my dismay at the delivery from your store on 23 August currently year. The product received is wrong, I solicited one red jacked and I got one purple. I want a full refund and take steps this doesn't happen again. Faithful G

Dear Sir/Madam I am writing to express my dismay at your service at your hotel. I have been a regular customer of your hotel for a long time. Whenever I came to this place for business, I always stay here. Four days ago when I visited your hotel, although I've already booked the room directly through you before. But when I came, the receptionist told me that she could not find a record of my booking, unfortunately, there also did not have any available room for me on that night. It was terrible. I think this happened because some glitch at your booking system. I would like to draw your attention to this matter. I hope you can take steps to make sure this mistake does not happen again in the future. Yours faithfully, Huynh

A letter of complaint

Preparation

Tips

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Topics

Online courses