How to Write a Letter of Complaint

Learn How to Complain With Grace

Do you have a bone to pick with someone?
Why not voice your complaints in a
well-written letter?

You didn't get the service you expected.

You were left waiting more than an hour for a flight/appointment that was then cancelled.

Do these complaints sound familiar?

Yes, indeed, life is often about not getting what you want. Life is full of disappointments, but sometimes these disappointments are so great that they warrant further scrutiny. Rather than act like a spoiled child, ranting and raving, wouldn't it be nice to be able to write a beautifully constructed letter of complaint?

In the current age of "instant reactions," where a hastily constructed e-mail or a high-pitched, heat-of-the-moment telephone conversation can cause more harm than good and will often get you nowhere, a complaint letter seems to carry more weight. However, writing such a letter is seldom easy. Luckily, our proofreaders are here to help.

Organize your letter of complaint to achieve clarity

Before you sit down to actually write the complaint letter, jot down the facts of the case. These facts might include the date, time, and location of the incident, and the names of the personnel involved. Then briefly jot down what went wrong and what impact (emotional, financial) it has had on you.

The layout of a complaint letter

Writing a letter of complaint is partly about getting an annoyance off your chest (think of it as therapy) and partly about seeking redress for a wrongdoing. To achieve both ends successfully, adhere to the following three-step sequence:

Step 1: Clearly state the facts of your case/causes for your complaint.

Step 2: Outline/discuss why you are so unhappy/upset.

Step 3: In some instances, it may be appropriate to set out your thoughts on a remedy/fix that would be amenable to you and/or others; in other instances, it is best to leave the solution in the hands of the perpetrator.

Keep your complaint professional

The style of your letter of complaint should be formal—this is a serious matter, and you want it treated as such. One-inch margins are used throughout. A professional letter typically uses an easy-to-read and plain typeface (Arial or Times New Roman) in 11 or 12 point. Avoid any fancy typefaces or small point sizes, as they send the wrong message.

You should include your address in the top left (header) of the letter. The address of the company/person you are writing to—in this example, "That Awful Company"—should appear on the left. It is best if you can address your letter to a particular person within an organization. If you do not have a name, Dear Sir/Madam is acceptable in the salutation line.

Don't forget to sign off your complaint letter with a closing salutation such as "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully." Make sure to leave sufficient space for your signature (usually three lines).

For more help with formal letter writing and formatting, read our article on "How to Write a Formal Letter."

A sample complaint letter

56 Disgruntled Street
Somewhere Unhappy
1AM MAD

Customer Service Manager
That Awful Company
Somewhere Awful
UR BAD

June 15, 2008

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing today to complain of the poor service I received from your company on June 12, 2008. I was visited by a representative of That Awful Company, Mr. Madman, at my home on that day.

Mr. Madman was one hour late for his appointment and offered nothing by way of apology when he arrived at noon. Your representative did not remove his muddy shoes upon entering my house, and consequently left a trail of dirt in the hallway. Mr. Madman then proceeded to present a range of products to me that I had specifically told his assistant by telephone I was not interested in. I repeatedly tried to ask your representative about the products that were of interest to me, but he refused to deal with my questions. We ended our meeting after 25 minutes without either of us having accomplished anything.

I am most annoyed that I wasted a morning (and half a day's vacation) waiting for Mr. Madman to show up. My impression of That Awful Company has been tarnished, and I am now concerned about how my existing business is being managed by your firm. Furthermore, Mr. Madman's inability to remove his muddy shoes has meant that I have had to engage the services, and incur the expense, of a professional carpet cleaner.

I trust that this is not the way That Awful Company wishes to conduct business with valued customers—I have been with you since the company was founded and have never encountered such treatment before. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss matters further and to learn of how you propose to prevent a similar situation from recurring. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

V. Angry

V. Angry

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