LETTERS OF COMPLAINT We write a letter of

LETTERS OF COMPLAINT

We write a letter of complaint when we are dissatisfied with somebody’s service or with a given product. Usually it contains not only our remarks on the service/product that we find not up to standard, but also our expectations towards the company or the person

THE LETTER OF COMPLAINT IS A FORMAL LETTER

FORMAL REGISTER: • A formal greeting (Dear Sir/Madam) • Serious, impersonal tone • Complex grammar structures (passive voice, inversion) • NO phrasal verbs, idioms, slang • NO contractions (can’t, isn’t) • A formal sign off (yours faithfully/yours sincerely)

THE STRUCTURE • Greeting • Paragraph 1 Reason(s) for writing • Paragraphs 1, 2 Details of the problem(s). Complaint(s) with the justification • Paragraphs 4 What do you expect from the company: actions to be taken. • Sign off

WE MIGHT COMPLAIN IN MILD OR STRONG TONE MILD STRONG • I am writing to complain about a lamp I bought from your store last week. • I wish to express my extreme dissatisfaction with a lamp I bought from your store last week. • I look forward to your reply concerning the matter. • I insist that you refund my money at once.

Dear Sir, I am writing to complain about the trip to Vienna that we paid for at your travel agency in July 2012. First of all, the journey took longer than it should. We spent 14 hours on the bus, not 8. Secondly, the hotel was more expensive than your agents told us. The double room cost 100 euros per night and not 75. We also hoped to hear some more interesting things from the guide than the information we had in the trip brochure. In fact, he did not talk much at all as he was over 80. We think he was the oldest guide we have ever met. Finally, the worst thing about the trip was the food at the hotel. It was not fresh. It was often cold and there was not much choice. I would like to get a refund of 100 euros because the standard of the trip was not what we had expected after consulting your agents.

Dear Sir/Madam, (greeting) I am writing to complain about the trip to Vienna that we paid for at your travel agency in July 2012. First of all, the journey took longer than it should. We spent 14 hours on the bus, not 8. (Reason(s) for writing) Secondly, the hotel was more expensive than your agents told us. The double room cost 100 euros per night and not 75. We also hoped to hear some more interesting things from the guide than the information we had in the trip brochure. In fact, he did not talk much at all as he was over 80. We think he was the oldest guide we have ever met. Finally, the worst thing about the trip was the food at the hotel. It was not fresh. It was often cold and there was not much choice. (Details of the problem(s). Complaint(s) with the justification) I would like to get a refund of 100 euros because the standard of the trip was not what we had expected after consulting your agents. (What do you expect from the company)

WHAT’S MISSING? A SIGN OFF! (YOURS FAITHFULLY)

FIND AS MANY MISTAKES AS YOU CAN IN THE FOLLOWING LETTER OF COMPLAINT

The Manager DPI Healthcare Products PO Box 1091 Hong Kong Dear Sir Young Look Beauty Oil I am writing complaint for the captioned product. I have ordered two bottles of your company's Young Look Beauty Oil on 14 January and told it will take one week for arrival. One the other hand, it was only arrived last week. Besides, your advertisement promised that I will immediate_ly look ten years younger. Moreover, all of my family and friends say I now look ten years older. At last, according to your advertisement, the Young Look Beauty Oil is contain only natural product. But when I looked at the ingredients I found it contain many chemicals such as sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR POOR SERVICE! You must refund my money immediately. Thank you for your attention Yours sincerely J M Wong