Why complain about a business?
So, you’ve had a bad experience with a business. Why should you list it here?
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- By Listing here, you might obtain a private dispute resolution with the business concerned. We can’t guarantee success. You should want your money back, compensation, an apology, or all three. Businesses are usually concerned enough at being listed that they will contact the Lister and see how they can resolve the dispute. This sometimes means monetary compensation, but other times, it involves meeting the needs of the Lister, which differ from person to person.
- If you’ve had a bad experience, you want to warn others so that they can avoid having the same bad experience. This is a great thing to do for others. Kiwis are always community-minded, and we know that if you can do something for others, you’ll probably do it.
- A business that wants to stay in business ought to avoid bad publicity. By listing them on Dodgy Business, you can do something about your problem by using cyberspace to make your thoughts known. Your complaint will create ongoing and potentially indefinite negative publicity for the business that has caused you grief.
- Dodgy Business has adopted the philosophy that consumers have the right to know that a particular business has been listed on Dodgy Business. Although a particular incident might be resolved, that does not change the fact that a complaint was made against the Listee. Therefore, the Listee will remain on our record for the public to view.
- At the end of the day, whether the listed business contacts you to settle the dispute or not, you’ll feel better about doing something about the problem. When we feel ripped off or mistreated, we often want to tell someone about it, to get it off our chest. By listing on Dodgy Business, you will feel that you’ve done something; whatever happens, at least you’ll know that you’ve done what you can.
- We know that going to court is a public process. In a democratic country, the court processes are open to the public, and any judgment is also open for anyone to read. Appearing on television will also get you results, but again, you have to be comfortable with the publicity that comes with it. Of course, not everyone wants their problems made public. By listing on Dodgy Business, you can remain anonymous and preserve your privacy if that’s important to you.
- It’s free to list a complaint, and it only takes you as long as it takes you to write the email. Other options to resolve your dispute might cost money, or it might take months (or years if you are issuing civil proceedings against the other side) to obtain a resolution.