Copy and use our free sample complaint letter and email

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Sometimes the difference between resolving a consumer complaint and not rests heavily on how you complain.

Consumer Action offers a sample complaint letter and an email complaint template. You can cut and paste these documents below. (Hint: If you are pasting into a Word document, choose "Paste as Plain Text" to paste text into your document.)

You can download the letter and email in plain text format by clicking on these links:

• Click here to download the letter in English.
• Click here to download the email in English.
• Click here to download the letter and email in Spanish, and in Chinese.

Sample complaint letter

Your name
Address
Phone number

Company official
Company name
Company address

Date

Dear (title) ____:

I wish to complain about ____ (name of product or service, with serial number or account number) that I purchased on ____ (date and location of transaction).

I am complaining because ____ (the reason you are dissatisfied). To resolve this problem I would like you to ____ (what you want the business to do).

When I first learned of this problem, I contacted ____ (name of the person, date of the call) at your company, and was told that nothing could be done about my problem. I believe that this response is unfair because ____ (the reason you feel the company has an obligation to you). I would like a written statement explaining your company's position and what you will do about my complaint.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible to resolve this problem. If I do not hear from you within ____ days I will file complaints with the appropriate consumer agencies and consider my legal alternatives. I am enclosing copies of my receipt. I may be contacted at the above address and phone number.

Sincerely,

(your signature)

(Type or print your name)

CC: (local consumer group) (appropriate government agencies)

ATT: (attach and list documentation of your complaint, if any)

Sample complaint email

From: My Name and email ([email protected]
Subject: (short description of your complaint
Date: Most email programs enter this field automatically
To: (enter the email address of the person you are contacting)
CC: (local consumer group) (appropriate government agencies)

Dear (title) ____:

I wish to complain about ____ (name of product or service, with serial number or account number) that I purchased on ____ (date and location of transaction).

I am complaining because ____ (the reason you are dissatisfied). To resolve this problem I would like you to ____ (what you want the business to do).

When I first learned of this problem, I contacted ____ (name of the person, date of the call) at your company, and was told that nothing could be done about my problem. I believe that this response is unfair because ____ (the reason you feel the company has an obligation to you). I would like a written statement explaining your company’s position and what you will do about my complaint.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible to resolve this problem. If I do not hear from you within ____ days I will file complaints with the appropriate consumer agencies and consider my legal alternatives.

I am attaching copies of my receipt or ___________ (other proof of payment or documentation of complaint).

You may reply to me at this email or call me at (phone number).

Sincerely,

(your full name)