We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Appalling service - what is the right way to complain?

Options
I bought a spa day for my mum for her birthday and I went along too. We had such a terrible time for many reasons, (wrong treatments/very noisy treatment rooms / couldn't use the pool facilities / food that should of been free we had to pay for) ended up leaving early, not having all the treatments but still paid in full.


What is the right way to go about complaining?
Should I have complained on the day/not paid in full?

I have never made a complaint before but the service was so bad & I felt embarrassed that id taken my mum to such a place and feel very cheated that I paid full price for such terrible service.

Comments

  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 8,101 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Write to the establishment, preferably the manager. Perhaps even phone them up first saying you wish to complain and ask for the name of the person to complain to. Better to have expressed your dissatisfaction at the time, but still not too late to write now.
    Include the comment that you were embarrassed by the fact you had arranged a special day out for your Mum and she clearly did not enjoy it as she and you expected. If there are details of the experience in brochures, on the website or in your order that clearly did not occur, then highlight that.
    You don't have to put it in the letter, but also think what you would like if they offered some sort of "goodwill" gesture. Would you go again if a special discount or voucher was offered or are you after a refund (at least in part) of the cost? If they offer you anything, the former is more likely. Don't expect anything more than a polite apology in response though, as that is probably the most likely outcome.
    Keep a copy of the letter and get a proof of posting from the post office when you send it. Not as useful as sending something recorded delivery, but it's free and at least gives you a record of when it was sent.

    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. 

    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

  • Valli
    Valli Posts: 25,449 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 17 March 2014 at 9:16PM
    Agree with the above but - what made you choose that Spa? If, for example, it had been recommended to you you could mention that, too and emphasise how disappointed you were that the day was not the luxurious, relaxing day you had anticipated it being.

    Do they have a Trip Advisor page?
    Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY
    "I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
    :heart:Janice 1964-2016:heart:

    Thank you Honey Bear
  • Kt13
    Kt13 Posts: 86 Forumite
    Head office, not forgetting tripadvisor :)
  • Buddy1245
    Buddy1245 Posts: 31 Forumite
    Thanks for the replies - I wouldn't want to go back even if they offered me anything, it really was that bad! I hope they either stop offering spa days as they are not equipped/able to manage them yet... or they make some vast improvements to avoid other people wasting their money.

    I only went there as they've just started doing spa days and we don't have many locally so I thought it would be worth giving it a try rather than travelling to one further away.
  • Ohsuzanna
    Ohsuzanna Posts: 27 Forumite
    I think you have to tell them about your experience. The only way they can improve is by listening to consumer feedback. Good luck
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.