MAKING A COMPLAINT

Here are expressions you can use when complaining:

• I have a complaint to make. ...
• Sorry to bother you but...
• I'm sorry to say this but...
• I'm afraid I've got a complaint about...
• I'm afraid there is a slight problem with...
• Excuse me but there is a problem about...
• There seems to be a problem with…
• I’m not satisfied with…

Positive response to complaints:

• I'm so sorry, but this will never occur / happen again.
• I'm really sorry; we'll do our best not to make the same mistake again.
  

Negative response to complaints:

• Sorry there is nothing we can do about it.

• I'm afraid, there isn't much we can do about it.
  

If you do not agree with the solution given:


This is unfair. /I don’t think this is fair.

This is ridiculous. / I think this is ridiculous.

This seems unreasonable/I think that sounds unreasonable.

Can I speak to your supervisor?

Can I speak to your manager?

Is there someone else I could speak to about this matter?

When expressing a complaint in English, it helps to be polite. Although "I'm angry about your pizza. It's too salty" is one possible way of expressing a complaint, it is considered too rude and you'd better use more polite expressions if you want to get what you want.