What should I know before I file a complaint?

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• Try explaining your problem to the store salesperson that served you, or to the manager or owner of the business.
• Decide what action the business should be taking to resolve your complaint. You should know what you are asking the business to do before you approach them, otherwise your attempt to seek redress will be frustrating for both you and the business’s representative.
• If the business’s representative agrees to resolve the complaint, put the terms of the resolution in writing and send it back to the business via "Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested." This gives you a legal record that the business received a copy of the terms.
• If the business’s representative DOES NOT agree to resolve the complaint, immediately put the details of your complaint in writing and send it to the president or owner of the business via "Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested." The letter should include the date of the transaction, the problem, and how you would like the problem resolved. Keep copies for your own records.
• Find out if the business in question is a member of a BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION that governs proper business practices. In many cases, these associations may intervene on your behalf to resolve your complaint.

If you do not receive satisfaction on your own, you can seek the assistance of a governmental agency by filing a consumer complaint.

How do I file a consumer complaint?

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Federal

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Protection section can provide some assistance. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer disputes, your complaint, comment, or inquiry may help them spot a pattern of law violations requiring law enforcement action. It can also help them recognize and tell people about larger trends affecting consumers.

In the Consumer Protection section of their website, you can find a variety of publications on subjects such as credit, health and fitness, buying and working at home, investments, telemarketing, and other products and services. You'll also find business information such as guides to complying with the Mail Order Rule, Telemarketing Sales Rule, Used Car Rule, and other rules and regulations enforced by the FTC.

There are three ways you can contact the FTC: by telephone, toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); or by regular mail, at:

Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20580

Or electronically:

If you have a complaint about a particular company or organization, use the FTC’s secure complaint form.

State

The State's top consumer watchdog is the Attorney General. The AG conducts consumer investigations, research and analysis, develops consumer education programs and materials, responds to individual complaints by working to settle disputes as well as enforcing state laws..

The Attorney General's Consumer Protection site allows you to file a complain, research recent consumer complaints, review consumer laws, and obtain free copies of your credit report.

You can submit a complaint to the Attorney General by mail to:

Office of the Attorney General
Cadillac Place, 10th Floor
3030 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 10-200
Detroit, MI 48202

or electronically by filling out the complaint form available on the AG website. Choose "File a Consumer Complaint." This section will also provide you with a brief description of their consumer complaint process.

City

Resident of Detroit may file a consumer complaint with the Consumer Affairs Department. The Consumer Affairs Department (CAD) provides inspectors who make sure that the laws protecting consumers are upheld. The department offers consumer tips to residents and receives complaints from those who feel they have been the victim of a bad business practice or consumer fraud.

If you believe you have been a victim of a consumer fraud in Detroit, you have a number of options.
File a complaint by completing this form and sending it to:
The City of Detroit
Consumer Affairs Department
65 Cadillac Square, Suite 300
Detroit, MI 48226
or Fax to (313) 224-2796
Deliver your complaint in person at the above address
Contact the CAD by phone at (313) 224-6995

Make sure you read the complaint form carefully. You may have to gather more information before you complete and file it. By filing a complaint, consumers often secure restitution through the mediation process, especially if the vendor in question falls within one of the business categories licensed by CAD.

For more information, go to CAD’s website.