Government_NN1 's_GE Consumer_NN1 Action_NN1 Handbook_NN1 tells_VVZ how_RRQ to_TO pursue_VVI complaints_NN2 This_DD1 free_JJ guide_NN1 shows_VVZ you_PPY where_RRQ to_TO turn_VVI and_CC whom_PNQO to_TO contact_VVI if_CSW you_PPY have_VH0 a_AT1 problem_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 product_NN1 or_CC service_NN1 ._. 
The_AT statement_NN1 "_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM from_II the_AT government_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 'm_VBM here_RL to_TO help_VVI you_PPY "_" is_VBZ considered_VVN one_MC1 of_IO the_AT great_JJ lies_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE time_NNT1 ._. 
But_CCB if_CS you_PPY 've_VH0 ever_RR had_VHN a_AT1 beef_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 contractor_NN1 ,_, wanted_VVD to_TO check_VVI the_AT complaint_NN1 record_NN1 of_IO the_AT company_NN1 offering_VVG you_PPY a_AT1 cut-rate_JJ homeowner_NN1 insurance_NN1 policy_NN1 ,_, wondered_VVD how_RRQ to_TO escalate_VVI your_APPGE problem_NN1 with_IW the_AT local_JJ electric_JJ company_NN1 or_CC could_VM n't_XX get_VVI the_AT installer_NN1 to_TO come_VVI back_RP to_TO take_VVI a_AT1 look_NN1 at_II your_APPGE new_JJ but_CCB balky_JJ furnace_NN1 ,_, Uncle_NNB Sam_NP1 really_RR is_VBZ here_RL to_TO help_VVI ._. 
Just_RR off_II the_AT presses_NN2 ,_, the_AT 30th_MD edition_NN1 of_IO the_AT Consumer_NN1 Action_NN1 Handbook_NN1 from_II the_AT General_JJ Service_NN1 Administration_NN1 's_GE Office_NN1 of_IO Citizen_NN1 Services_NN2 and_CC Communication_NN1 is_VBZ chock-full_JJ of_IO goodies_NN2 for_IF aggravated_JJ citizens_NN2 who_PNQS do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI how_RRQ or_CC where_RRQ to_TO complain_VVI ._. 
The_AT free_JJ guide_NN1 ,_, available_JJ at_II www.consumeraction.gov_NNU or_CC by_II calling_VVG (_( 888_MC )_) 878-3256_MCMC ,_, has_VHZ a_AT1 section_NN1 with_IW tips_NN2 on_II how_RRQ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 savvy_JJ consumer_NN1 ,_, another_DD1 section_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 list_NN1 of_IO public_JJ resources_NN2 and_CC contact_NN1 information_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 third_MD that_DD1 contains_VVZ an_AT1 expanded_JJ list_NN1 of_IO information_NN1 for_IF corporate_JJ offices_NN2 ,_, consumer_NN1 groups_NN2 ,_, trade_NN1 groups_NN2 and_CC government_NN1 agencies_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT section_NN1 that_CST explains_VVZ how_RRQ to_TO be_VBI an_AT1 effective_JJ complainer_NN1 is_VBZ particularly_RR valuable_JJ ,_, because_CS most_DAT of_IO us_PPIO2 get_VV0 so_RR worked_VVN up_RP when_CS we_PPIS2 believe_VV0 we_PPIS2 have_VH0 been_VBN wronged_VVN that_CST we_PPIS2 fail_VV0 to_TO communicate_VVI our_APPGE position_NN1 sensibly_RR and_CC effectively_RR ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 snort_VV0 and_CC stomp_NN1 ,_, cuss_NN1 and_CC threaten_VV0 ,_, and_CC in_II the_AT process_NN1 we_PPIS2 lose_VV0 whatever_DDQV leverage_NN1 we_PPIS2 may_VM have_VHI had_VHN ._. 
Even_RR the_AT savviest_JJT consumer_NN1 has_VHZ an_AT1 issue_NN1 from_RR41 time_RR42 to_RR43 time_RR44 with_IW a_AT1 product_NN1 or_CC service_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB those_DD2 who_PNQS remain_VV0 calm_NN1 ,_, maintain_VV0 an_AT1 even_RR keel_VV0 and_CC pursue_VV0 their_APPGE grievances_NN2 quietly_RR but_CCB firmly_RR are_VBR the_AT ones_NN2 who_PNQS turn_VV0 lemons_NN2 into_II lemonade_NN1 ._. 
As_II the_AT Consumer_NN1 Action_NN1 Handbook_NN1 points_VVZ out_RP ,_, the_AT first_MD step_NN1 in_II resolving_VVG a_AT1 problem_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO contact_VVI the_AT seller_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX only_RR do_VD0 you_PPY have_VHI a_AT1 right_NN1 to_TO gripe_VVI ,_, you_PPY have_VH0 a_AT1 responsibility_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 problem_NN1 ca_VM n't_XX be_VBI corrected_VVN if_CS no_PN121 one_PN122 knows_VVZ about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Do_VD0 it_PPH1 as_RG soon_RR as_CSA possible_JJ ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX let_VVI that_DD1 leaky_JJ connection_NN1 go_VVI until_CS more_DAR damage_NN1 is_VBZ done_VDN ._. 
And_CC do_VD0 n't_XX stew_VVI until_CS the_AT problem_NN1 has_VHZ become_VVN larger_JJR than_CSN it_PPH1 really_RR is_VBZ ._. 
If_CS your_APPGE issue_NN1 is_VBZ settled_VVN on_II the_AT first_MD call_NN1 ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR better_JJR off_JJ than_CSN most_DAT people_NN ._. 
But_CCB if_CS you_PPY are_VBR not_XX satisfied_JJ ,_, ask_VV0 to_TO speak_VVI to_II a_AT1 supervisor_NN1 or_CC manager_NN1 ._. 
And_CC keep_VV0 going_VVG up_RP the_AT ladder_NN1 --_NN1 to_II national_JJ headquarters_NN or_CC the_AT manufacturer_NN1 ,_, if_CS necessary_JJ --_NN1 until_CS you_PPY reach_VV0 someone_PN1 who_PNQS will_VM listen_VVI to_II your_APPGE tale_NN1 of_IO woe_NN1 ._. 
If_CS a_AT1 home_NN1 builder_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 national_JJ outfit_NN1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, and_CC the_AT local_JJ office_NN1 is_VBZ apathetic_JJ to_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST your_APPGE bathroom_NN1 tile_NN1 is_VBZ cracked_VVN ,_, by_II all_DB means_NN ,_, go_VV0 to_II the_AT next_MD level_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY are_VBR dealing_VVG with_IW a_AT1 manufacturing_NN1 defect_NN1 --_NN1 say_VV0 ,_, the_AT ice_NN1 maker_NN1 in_II your_APPGE fancy_JJ new_JJ refrigerator_NN1 keeps_VVZ freezing_JJ up_II --_NN1 realize_VV0 that_CST many_DA2 companies_NN2 have_VH0 special_JJ customer_NN1 service_NN1 offices_NN2 whose_DDQGE primary_JJ function_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO solve_VVI such_DA issues_NN2 ._. 
The_AT directory_NN1 portion_NN1 of_IO the_AT Consumer_NN1 Action_NN1 Handbook_NN1 has_VHZ listings_NN2 for_IF several_DA2 hundred_NNO firms_NN2 ,_, or_CC you_PPY can_VM visit_VVI a_AT1 company_NN1 's_GE website_NN1 ,_, where_CS you_PPY can_VM click_VVI on_II the_AT "_" contact_VV0 us_PPIO2 "_" link_NN1 ._. 
Each_DD1 time_NNT1 you_PPY make_VV0 a_AT1 contact_NN1 ,_, keep_VV0 a_AT1 record_NN1 of_IO the_AT date_NN1 and_CC time_NNT1 ,_, and_CC write_VV0 down_RP the_AT name_NN1 and_CC phone_NN1 number_NN1 of_IO the_AT person_NN1 with_IW whom_PNQO you_PPY spoke_VVD ._. 
Also_RR take_VV0 notes_NN2 ,_, recording_VVG your_APPGE recollection_NN1 of_IO whatever_DDQV was_VBDZ discussed_VVN ,_, the_AT solutions_NN2 discussed_VVN and_CC the_AT offers_NN2 ,_, if_CS any_DD ,_, that_CST were_VBDR made_VVN ._. 
Similarly_RR ,_, keep_VV0 copies_NN2 of_IO all_DB e-mails_NN2 ._. 
Type_VV0 up_RP your_APPGE notes_NN2 so_CS21 that_CS22 they_PPHS2 are_VBR legible_JJ ,_, and_CC follow_VV0 up_RP with_IW the_AT person_NN1 to_II whom_PNQO you_PPY spoke_VVD with_IW a_AT1 letter_NN1 that_CST reinforces_VVZ your_APPGE position_NN1 and_CC states_NN2 what_DDQ actions_VVZ you_PPY expect_VV0 the_AT company_NN1 to_TO take_VVI ._. 
But_CCB be_VBI reasonable_JJ ._. 
The_AT maker_NN1 may_VM be_VBI willing_JJ to_TO send_VVI someone_PN1 out_RP to_TO re-stretch_VVI the_AT rugs_NN2 in_II your_APPGE living_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 can_VM not_XX be_VBI expected_VVN to_TO replace_VVI the_AT set_NN1 of_IO dishes_NN2 that_CST broke_VVD when_CS you_PPY tripped_VVD over_II the_AT hump_NN1 left_VVN by_II the_AT original_JJ installer_NN1 ._. 
"_" Your_APPGE letter_NN1 should_VM be_VBI brief_JJ and_CC to_II the_AT point_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT consumer_NN1 handbook_NN1 advises_VVZ ._. 
"_" State_VV0 exactly_RR what_DDQ you_PPY want_VV0 done_VDN about_II the_AT problem_NN1 and_CC how_RGQ long_RR you_PPY are_VBR willing_JJ to_TO wait_VVI for_IF a_AT1 response_NN1 ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX write_VVI an_AT1 angry_JJ ,_, sarcastic_JJ or_CC threatening_VVG letter_NN1 ._. 
The_AT person_NN1 reading_VVG your_APPGE letter_NN1 probably_RR was_VBDZ n't_XX responsible_JJ for_IF your_APPGE problem_NN1 ,_, but_CCB could_VM be_VBI very_RG helpful_JJ in_II resolving_VVG it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
If_CS ,_, after_CS you_PPY have_VH0 given_VVN the_AT company_NN1 a_AT1 reasonable_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 to_TO respond_VVI to_II your_APPGE complaint_NN1 ,_, you_PPY are_VBR still_RR not_XX placated_VVN ,_, consider_VV0 filing_VVG a_AT1 grievance_NN1 against_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Most_DAT people_NN know_VV0 they_PPHS2 can_VM file_VVI a_AT1 complaint_NN1 with_IW their_APPGE Better_JJR Business_NN1 Bureau_NN1 and_CC the_AT state_NN1 or_CC local_JJ consumer_NN1 protection_NN1 office_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB as_CSA the_AT consumer_NN1 handbook_NN1 points_VVZ out_RP ,_, you_PPY also_RR can_VM take_VVI your_APPGE problem_NN1 to_II the_AT state_NN1 or_CC federal_JJ agency_NN1 that_CST regulates_VVZ that_DD1 business_NN1 ._. 
Real_JJ estate_NN1 brokers_NN2 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, answer_VV0 to_TO state_VVI real_JJ estate_NN1 commissions_NN2 ,_, and_CC builders_NN2 and_CC remodeling_VVG contractors_NN2 are_VBR often_RR licensed_VVN by_II agencies_NN2 that_CST sometimes_RT have_VH0 systems_NN2 in_II place_NN1 to_TO help_VVI consumers_NN2 resolve_VVI their_APPGE problems_NN2 ._. 
Problem_NN1 lenders_NN2 can_VM be_VBI reported_VVN too_RR ._. 
Politicians_NN2 are_VBR another_DD1 great_JJ resource_NN1 ,_, and_CC so_RR are_VBR local_JJ media_NN outlets_NN2 ._. 
Many_DA2 state_NN1 and_CC local_JJ elected_JJ officials_NN2 are_VBR able_JK to_TO help_VVI their_APPGE constituents_NN2 ._. 
Newspapers_NN2 ,_, radio_NN1 stations_NN2 and_CC television_NN1 stations_NN2 are_VBR often_RR interested_JJ in_II stories_NN2 in_II which_DDQ consumers_NN2 are_VBR harmed_VVN ,_, particularly_RR if_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR hoodwinked_VVN ._. 
Some_DD still_RR have_VH0 action-line_JJ or_CC hotline_NN1 services_NN2 ._. 
Even_RR national_JJ consumer_NN1 groups_NN2 may_VM be_VBI able_JK to_TO help_VVI ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 ca_VM n't_XX assist_VVI on_II specific_JJ complaints_NN2 ,_, maybe_RR they_PPHS2 are_VBR interested_JJ in_II hearing_VVG about_II issues_NN2 that_CST could_VM influence_VVI their_APPGE educational_JJ efforts_NN2 or_CC might_VM become_VVI the_AT focus_NN1 of_IO one_MC1 of_IO their_APPGE advocacy_NN1 programs_NN2 ._. 
Still_RR not_XX satisfied_JJ ?_? 
Try_VV0 to_TO find_VVI out_RP whether_CSW the_AT company_NN1 in_II question_NN1 belongs_VVZ to_II an_AT1 industry_NN1 trade_NN1 association_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 associations_NN2 have_VH0 dispute_NN1 systems_NN2 in_II place_NN1 for_IF helping_VVG consumers_NN2 resolve_VVI problems_NN2 with_IW their_APPGE members_NN2 ._. 
Maybe_RR the_AT company_NN1 will_VM submit_VVI to_II conciliation_NN1 ,_, mediation_NN1 or_CC arbitration_NN1 ,_, in_II which_DDQ a_AT1 neutral_JJ third_MD party_NN1 meets_VVZ with_IW both_DB2 sides_NN2 in_II an_AT1 effort_NN1 to_TO figure_VVI out_RP an_AT1 acceptable_JJ solution_NN1 ._. 
If_CS so_RR ,_, the_AT handbook_NN1 advises_VVZ that_CST you_PPY obtain_VV0 a_AT1 copy_NN1 of_IO the_AT rules_NN2 beforehand_RR so_CS you_PPY will_VM know_VVI whether_CSW the_AT decision_NN1 is_VBZ binding_JJ or_CC whether_CSW participation_NN1 places_VVZ any_DD restrictions_NN2 on_II your_APPGE ability_NN1 to_TO take_VVI legal_JJ action_NN1 ._. 
Ah_UH ,_, there_RL it_PPH1 is_VBZ ,_, the_AT word_NN1 "_" legal_JJ ._. "_" 
When_CS all_DB else_RR fails_VVZ ,_, take_VV0 them_PPHO2 to_II court_NN1 ._. 
If_CS the_AT dispute_NN1 is_VBZ over_II a_AT1 small_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO money_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT limit_NN1 is_VBZ $7,500_NNU in_II California_NP1 --_NN1 Small_NP1 Claims_VVZ Court_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 generally_RR simple_JJ ,_, inexpensive_JJ ,_, informal_JJ and_CC speedy_JJ method_NN1 for_IF ending_VVG your_APPGE ordeal_NN1 ._. 
But_II21 for_II22 consumers_NN2 who_PNQS have_VH0 bigger_JJR fish_NN to_TO fry_VVI ,_, the_AT handbook_NN1 even_RR has_VHZ a_AT1 section_NN1 on_II how_RRQ to_TO choose_VVI an_AT1 attorney_NN1 ._. 
