How to Complain and How to Respond to a Complaint

How to Complain – start from formal to slang language.

• If I did not care, I would not say anything about it.
• You’re doing well, but here is where you can improve.
• Are you happy with things?
• Look at it from my point of view…
• I don’t want to make a fuss, but this isn’t working for me.
• I usually don’t gripe about things, but this has gone too far.
• Don’t you have a problem with what happened?
• You may be okay with this, but I’m not.
• If you cared about my feelings, you’d change this.
• I object to/am disappointed in the way you…
• This isn’t the right way to treat people.
• This will never do.
• This is completely unacceptable.
• You have completely lost my respect.
• I’m just about done here.
• You screwed up royally.
• I no longer wish to do business with you/work for you.

How to Respond to a Complaint
• If you’re unhappy, I’m unhappy.
• If I had to deal with what you are describing, I would be upset, too.
• I understand your concerns and I promise I will resolve things to your satisfaction.
• I agree that this was terrible—I promise I will make it better.
• I want to know everything so I can correct the problem immediately.
• Help me understand the issue so I can give you my best help.
• Now that I understand what’s bothering you I can begin to address it.
• We’ll do everything to fix this as soon as possible.
• Sorry about all that—we’re working on it.
• This isn’t my fault, but I’m doing my best to make things better.
• You’ll have to be patient. I’m checking with my superiors.
• There is nothing I can do for you right now.
• I can’t do much to help when somebody is talking this way.
• Complaining isn’t very constructive, you know.
• Your complaint isn’t a top priority right now.
• Shouting/your attitude isn’t making anything better.
• Nobody’s perfect.
• Not my problem.
• I don’t care.

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