Thursday, August 4, 2011

Complaint yields coupons

Here's an update on my complaint about Wal-Mart selling expired lasagna.

In addition to letting the Wal-Mart itself know of the expired food, I also emailed the company that makes the lasagna.  I explained that I went specifically to the store to purchase their lasagna but was unable to because the products on the shelf were all expired.

They took my complaint seriously and have escalated the issue to the local rep for their products. They are also sending me coupons for free lasagna.

Getting an actual response from the company and free coupons shows that companies DO care about their products and public perception of their products.  And they want to know if there is a problem.  They can't fix the consumer's problem if they don't know about it.  That's why I speak up.  Complaining about something to people who can't do anything about it is a waste of time and energy.  It's futile. Nothing is going to change because you're complaining to the wrong people! Sure, your friends and family might want to hear about your experiences with a certain retailer, restaurant or business. But can they do anything except offer an ear or a shoulder to lean on?

If you have a problem with a store or a product, make your voice heard to those who can rectify the situation.  Your voice matters!