Complaining to get free stuff...

shadypines · August 2012

also on Parenting Board...

Do you ever call diaper companies & complain just to get free coupons?

The complaint is bogus!

[Poll]

Ximena M · August 2012

I have made a bigger deal about something then it was to me, but it was not to get free stuff it was because I was in a bad mood and the person on the other side of the phone was there. That being said, getting through to the customer care puts me in a bad mood as it is.

My sister did complain to Outback head quarters when she hadn't even eaten there. This pisses me off because she probably got someone in trouble. She also got a $100 gift certificate from it tool

Sunshine+Luv · August 2012

I think that is a really sh!tty thing to do if you don't have a complaint.

shadypines · August 2012

softskate31:

I have complained to Yoplait about a cherry pit in my yogurt and to Ziplock about the zippers popping off the brand new giant bags I bought - I got some NICE coupons from them - but those were legit complaints.

I also got a free shutterfly book b/c they messed up an order - the original was damaged, but still keep-able as a coffee table book.

I find that I get great responses from giving compliments and telling how much (AND WHY) I love products. I don't get a coupon everytime but that's ok.... I kinda like just letting a company know that they've made my life a little easier. I've only complained once and I did get a coupon.

xproudxnerdx · August 2012

If you've got a legit complaint, the company needs to know to fix errors in the future. But to complain for coupons? Thas derty right thurr.

Eta: holy huge siggy! Sorry about that!

Ruby412 · August 2012

No, morally I don't think that is right at all.

However, last weekend we had an issue with the Sheraton not having a fridge available for my pumped milk. I had booked it months in advance and confirmed it that morning. I complained to corporate and got 50% back. However, that was a serious and legitimate complaint.

AshleyDG83 · August 2012

I've only made valid complaints. I've also found out if you call or email a company and compliment them on their products, they usually send coupons too.

The best thing I ever got was free movie tickets. Their website advertised a military discount (spouses included) and when I went, they said no such discount was offered. I emailed the company and they promptly sent me 4 movie tickets. That's worth a lot these days!

jkfranklin · August 2012

I never thought of complementing. I should start doing that!

AshleyDG83 · August 2012

jkfranklin:
I never thought of complementing. I should start doing that!

My aunt loves the Daisy razors by Gillette. A few years ago you couldn't find them anywhere. Apparently they were discontinued for a while or something. Anyway, she wrote the company and told them how much she loved them. They sent her a big box with something like 50 razors in it and told her they would be back soon. I thought that was so awesome!

Ximena M · August 2012

If I get really good customer service I make it a point to let management know.

mrs+harlow · August 2012

I work with brides and have had some try to complain about things to try and either: (a) wear the item then return it (b) get a discount (c) change their minds 100 times and want to return it (d) are trying to get the item for free. It's quite amazing.

Ximena M · August 2012

mrs+harlow:
I work with brides and have had some try to complain about things to try and either: (a) wear the item then return it (b) get a discount (c) change their minds 100 times and want to return it (d) are trying to get the item for free. It's quite amazing.

People wanted me to complain to the caterers of my wedding so we could get a break on the cost. They didn't set up like they were supposed to, they served the children's food as appetizers, they were late etc. My wedding day was incredible the food tasted great and the service was good once things were fixed. Not to mention we paid $20 per person for a four star restaurant. There was no way I was going to spoil that memory with making mountains out molehills. The only thing I was unhappy with was my hair.

Browneyedhunni85 · August 2012

AshleyDG83:

jkfranklin:
I never thought of complementing. I should start doing that!

My aunt loves the Daisy razors by Gillette. A few years ago you couldn't find them anywhere. Apparently they were discontinued for a while or something. Anyway, she wrote the company and told them how much she loved them. They sent her a big box with something like 50 razors in it and told her they would be back soon. I thought that was so awesome!

Wow, that was nice! I've never been one to complain much. I don't expect to get anything free. In January my sister and I met for lunch and then to go register at BRU. The place we ate at is in the downtown area where I live and parking is limited. There use to be a huge parking area but that was closed because they were making a big parking deck. We ended up having to park in a bank parking lot because there was no where else to park. When we were getting ready to leave a lady said they are going to start having cars towed. Um, okay, so where the hell are we suppose to park? I was livid! I emailed the owner that night and explained to him that we would NOT be eating there again until the parking issue is solved. We haven't ate there since. The deck was suppose to open in April, they are still working on the damn thing. I didn't get anything free but I did get several emails from people about the issue.

hass2001 · August 2012

I complained once to kettle one brand chips because a bag of their salt and vinegar chips were so salty I couldn't eat them, like that was clearly a defective batch. The sent me 2 free bags of chips!

kkfeb04 · September 2012

Browneyedhunni85:
AshleyDG83:

jkfranklin:
I never thought of complementing. I should start doing that!

My aunt loves the Daisy razors by Gillette. A few years ago you couldn't find them anywhere. Apparently they were discontinued for a while or something. Anyway, she wrote the company and told them how much she loved them. They sent her a big box with something like 50 razors in it and told her they would be back soon. I thought that was so awesome!

Wow, that was nice! I've never been one to complain much. I don't expect to get anything free. In January my sister and I met for lunch and then to go register at BRU. The place we ate at is in the downtown area where I live and parking is limited. There use to be a huge parking area but that was closed because they were making a big parking deck. We ended up having to park in a bank parking lot because there was no where else to park. When we were getting ready to leave a lady said they are going to start having cars towed. Um, okay, so where the hell are we suppose to park? I was livid! I emailed the owner that night and explained to him that we would NOT be eating there again until the parking issue is solved. We haven't ate there since. The deck was suppose to open in April, they are still working on the damn thing. I didn't get anything free but I did get several emails from people about the issue.

Why should you get anything for free? You didn't have a problem with the restaurant, you had a problem with parking. I know around here there are signs stating customer parking only, all others towed. Bank lots are small and there's a quick turnaround. Your vehicle was probably noticed for the length it was there. I would have been ticked if I went to the bank and there was no parking due to people at a restaurant.

ateal2490 · September 2012

Short and sweet answer? Absolutely not.

I don't even understand how someone could muster the energy to dial a -1800 number, listen to the elevator music, and recite the lie that they memorized to the operator about their not actually defective product....(all whilst their infant/toddler/child is running around, breaking stuff, getting hungry, screaming its face off)

I also wouldn't want to burn bridges. You can only call for free stuff so many times before they just stop handing them out to you....if karma kicked me in the azz in the form of an actually damaged item, I'm quite sure it would be far more difficult to get help once the operator starts looking things up and sees that you've gotten enough free diapers to cover a couple years. Red flag...big time.

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