How to Complain Effectively and Get Results

Here's a piece from Kiplinger on how to complain effectively and get results. They offer seven tips for doing this including:
 
1. Ladle on the honey.

2. Focus on fixers.

3. Cut to the chase.

4. Enlist a referee.

5. Bring in the big guns.

6. Plead your own case.

7. File a civil lawsuit.

My thoughts on these:

1. I've been much more successful being polite and friendly than others I know who rant and rave. Ask yourself -- would you want to help out someone yelling at you?

2. Yes, but the person behind the counter often has a third-grade education and acts like it. You know, the grade right before they teach common sense? I prefer to deal with someone that at least has a sense of what planet he's on.

3. I'm not sure how well this one works, especially with a big company. They have their rules for "how things should be done" and if you go against the flow too much, you may be hurting yourself.

4. Tips 4 through 7 are not ones I've had experience with, so I can't comment on them.

5. My best tip on this subject: Do Business with Companies that Back up Their Products/Services.