MANY thanks to Bulbir Singh for his advice to consumers ("If you want results, learn how to gripe" -- NST, Aug 20).

Certainly, the best way to get redress when we are not satisfied with goods or services is to make a complaint.



State your reasons and provide proof that your dissatisfaction is warranted.

It is not only the best way to get compensation but also an effective method to improve the quality of products and services.
Many people, however, either do not know how to complain effectively or they don't have the time or can't be bothered.

So they live with the loss, without considering that it will affect the rest of the community as well because no improvement would have taken place.

Two weeks ago, a friend bought four tickets for his business associates on a budget airline.

Because of the crowd at the check-in counter and because two flights by the same carrier were leaving 10 minutes apart, these passengers queued in the wrong lane. By the time they realised their mistake, it was too late to board the right flight.

These people found no sympathy with the airline's ground staff. They also missed an important meeting. My friend's loss? RM1,500.

I advised him to lodge a complaint and seek some form of compensation but he said he didn't know how to do it.

We all want change and a better quality of life. However, before we get that we must also realise that change starts with us.

MARISA DEMORIIpoh