Is there such a thing as American Trading Standards?

Who do I complain to about a company's services?

[Rightz]

Having a little dispute about a package I bought online. I paid $40 for airmail 2 months ago. I contacted them when it didn't turn up after the 2 - 4 weeks stated delivery time. They basically said tough as I didn't buy insurance.

Anyway today it arrived (which I'm obviously pleased with)... but I'm not happy that they charged me airmail when it came surface and took a lot longer. Basically I wouldn't have ordered off them if they didn't 'lie' about how they sent out their products.

I want a refund on the difference between the airmail that I paid for and the surface mail I got.

In the UK i would threaten them with a complaint to 'Trading Standards'.

Is there such a thing in the USA?

Thanks

[edited by: Rightz at 3:32 pm (utc) on Aug. 7, 2006]

[LifeinAsia]

File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (it sounds like the BBB and Trading Standards perform similar functions)- go to www.bbb.org and you can file a dispute online.

Before filing your complaint, do make sure that it was actually sent surface and that it wasn't a screwup by the Postal Service or delay by customs.

[Rightz]

It's clearly stated on the certificate he signed that it was surface. I really just want to threaten and get my money back. Hopefully I wont have to file a complaint but will certainly look into it.

Thanks for the url and advice :)

[LifeinAsia]

Then I would say you have a valid complaint. If he's really a rip-off artist, a complaint from the BBB wion't mean much.

But if he's an honest merchant, a letter from the BBB should definitely help things along. For such a small amount of money, it's definitely worth it for them to issue you a refund instead of having a BBB complaint on their record.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a complaint only goes on their record if they refuse to resolve the issue with you.

A number of times I have dealt with business that initially refused to issue refunds, even after I talked to the manager- "Nope, we can't issue you a refund!" Every time I got the BB involved, their attitude immediately changed to "Would you like to come in and pick up your refund check or should we mail it to you?" These businesses ranged from a major telecommunications company to the local car repair shop.

[Rightz]

BBB is amazing I've got all the details about the company and found they've had one complaint in the last 36 months - not much - but sure they don't want another one!

This should work (and no it's not the money - just that they were #*$!ty and extremely unhelpful when I emailed them a month ago)

[gamiziuk]

The local "Chamber of Commerce" may be another avenue if the BBB does not come thru for you.

[Rightz]

Ok after finding the company on bbb.org I emailed the company to say I was requesting a partial refund. If that wasn't supplied I would contact the bbb to file a complaint.

I received an email back - basically telling me to £$&% off!

Then I go to bbb.org to file a complaint, only to realise that this company records are no longer held on bbb.org

How?!

Have they deleted themselves from the system?

Is there any point filing a complaint when it looks like they've removed themselves from the bbb.org system?

[LifeinAsia]

Absolutely! The BBB fielded complaints years before the Internet came around.

[Rightz]

Complaint filed. Fingers crossed :)

[vincevincevince]

How about a phone-call to the local police and reporting it as fraud?