Wow, it pays to complain!

That's pretty awesome!! Well, although you did get a faulty product that got you there. They probably want to keep you as a customer that can still trust their products and reputation - and wanted you to know that they do stand behind their product. $18 dollars worth of free products - that's a nice, hefty apology! Once I took a survey about Barilla pasta - and I remember it was a long one - I almost gave up on finishing it. But the reward for it would be for some free Barilla products. I didn't think much of it - in fact I forgot about it. A couple months later I received in the mail a batch of coupons for free pasta and jarred sauce for each month for a year!

Really?? that's good news! great customer service! all companies should be like that. so they could have plenty of loyal customers.

Hi Dragon, Actually most stores want to hear it if you are not satisfied with a product you've bought from them. I once got some bad pork from Hannafords. I could not find my receipt anywhere but thought it was worth a try as I'd just purchased the meat that day. I went to the service desk and they gave me no hassle at all. Not only did they take the meat back but they reimbursed me and gave me a replacement package for free!! I work in a store and I know that if someone complains that they got something that was bad, even if they don't bring the product back in, we don't ask a lot of questions...just make it right with them. Too many people just don't say anything thinking that it isn;t worth bothering with but it is.

That was smart thinking on both your behalf's. My mother once complained to Heinz about the quality of some tinned macaroni cheese. Their response was to send her a case of the stuff! I had just left home and she gave most of it to me. When you're poor you'll eat anything that's free. I've not touched it since though.

Wow! The company really knows how to take care of their customer. I hope all companies are like that. Nothing like this one has ever happened to me yet. There are even some companies who would not care losing their customers. Just about a week ago I called our Cable company to complain and their customer service was rude. That's the reason we decided to end our contract with them and we have shifted to another company.

I hate when stuff like this happens! And you did the right thing, you should complain because that is your right! One night I went to the store to by whipped cream and when I got home I saw that it was out of date! It went out the day before I bought it! Awful..! However I didn't go back to the store because I didn't save the receipt :(

that happened tome once. i opened up a cup of soup package and found a bug in it so i called the makers and got a free package. i didnt score as well as you did though.

Wow, that is great. I don't think I've ever written to complain to a company, but I've heard that people who have have gotten some good stuff. I think you can even write some companies and ask if you could have free samples for a party you're throwing, but I am not sure on the details of that. Well Congrats on your $18.00 Worth of coupons.. That's amazing!

I have heard a lot of stories like this, in the current economic climate companies are willing to go the extra mile to keep a customer happy. They have given you $18 worth of free products but when you shop, you will see another $50 of stuff that you like the look of and buy them with your money and knowing that most of their products are of a good standard, you will keep shopping there. Also you will tell other people (such as us) about the company who actually listened to you and those people will be impressed and think "ooo that is a company I want to be associated with" and start shopping there rather than where they currently shop. So loosing $18 as a gesture of good will, has probably gained them a lot more back.

orville redenbacher. A long time ago I bought some of his flavored microwave popcorn...I think it was the carmel or something. I set the microwave for the recommended amount of time and, naturally, got distracted with something so imagine my surprise when I returned to the microwave and saw a small fire inside! Since this happened about halfway through the recommended cooking time I thought it would be a good idea to email the company and suggest that they modify their instructions. In return I also received a nice letter and a bunch of buy one get one free coupons. I don't think they ever changed their instructions but I did appreciate the free popcorn.

I often email companies regarding their products. Both with complaints and compliments. The compliments usually don't get a response, but the complaints do. I have found that most companies will send coupons for free products. I have found that for the best results, keep the package and reciept if possible. Many times you are asked for the upc code, price, store where purchased, expiration date. It is nice that companies really are concerned about their products. Good job!

I have had an experience like the one that you've described, but it didn't have to do with food. Instead, this had to do with diapers (a necessary evil if you are a parent). I bought a package of the usual brand of diapers that I'd used and the tabs didn't seem to be properly affixed and would detatch while my son was wearing them. I called the company and told them about it and they asked for my name, address, phone number, etc. A couple weeks later I recieved and envelope from them with a letter of apology and also three coupons for free packages of diapers. I stuck with that company only because of this.

Wow, that really great of this company, at least they showed that they appreciate these constructive complaints. Because like you said I do think that most of those companies just throw away that kind of email, just because they don't care. But this is definitly the right way.

I have complained about a few products that were in some way defective. I have had companies ask me to send in samples of the products which I am more than happy to do. I don't want other to get the same bad products. I only started doing this after I had my daughter. It was actually some diapers the tabs kept coming off and I was really upset becasue I was on a tight budget and 6 diaper was a lot to loose. I wrote hoping that the would replace the product. They did and much more they sent coupons for a couple of packages I was very greatful for this. I have also had companies off coupons if I call to ask questions. I had to call about some frozen juice one time as I had 2 that were not frozen and I couldn't afford to throw them out. Come to find out they were fine and it can take a while for them to freeze because of the sugar in the fruit or something like that. And then she asked if they could send me coupons. I was like sure send as many as you would like this is a product that I buy all the time. I don't complain just to get free things I only complain if there is something wrong with the product.

Way to go! That is great and most companies do appreciate us letting them know our likes and dislikes and when we are satisfied or dis-satisfied. Good Post!

Hi dragon54u, I think you were really smart to write to the company and complain. I believe the representatives of companies don't always know what is going on with their products and I think the reason we get a lot of shabby service and shabby products lately is we don't take the time to let the companies know what we think. I'm glad you got the $18 worth of coupons. I wish more people would speak up when it comes to things like this. I think if we all did this , as well as take the time to compliment a company when things are done right, that the bad service and defective products might not be as widespread as they seem to be today, as least here in the U.S. I can't speak for other counties since I know nothing about them. A lot of companies have web sites where you can post a complaint or compliment. Some businesses don't, but a lot of companies do, so it never hurts to take a few minutes to let someone know you're not happy or are satisfied with a product. Good for you.

Wow! That is something!! Eighteen dollars worth of coupons is great. I have never had such luck when complaining about products or customer service. Maybe I should be a little more aggressive in complaining...although I really don't want to sound "whiny" but as consumers, we really should get what we are paying for, afterall money is not easily earned these days.

Wow that's pretty good. Too bad for your chicken but the $18 of coupons is pretty cool. That reminds me of that Jerry Seinfeld book where the guy talks about stuff like mailing in complaints because he would put ajax in his hair lol