Today’s consumers are very vocal about their wants and needs. They are also well aware of their rights and will confidently voice their concerns if they have an unpleasant experience with a brand or business. As a modern-day consumer, you must know there are platforms where you can raise your voice against the wrongdoings of a business.

Firstly, you can raise a complaint directly with the brand if you are dissatisfied with their products or services. Secondly, you can also contact different consumer forums if the brand dismisses your complaint. Either way, you must have your legal notice evaluated by platforms that allow you to review consumer complaints online for free. This will help you avoid mistakes that may lead to you facing negative repercussions for your complaint.

What Should You Know About Your Consumer Rights?

The Consumer Rights Act of 2019 (Amendment) protects consumers' rights. So, if you buy goods and services or engage with any entity from the private, public, and corporate sectors, except those exempted by the central government, your consumer rights are protected under the said act.

The act provides consumers with a platform to address their grievances and seek compensation for a brand's wrongdoing. Yes, you can ask the consumer forum for help if the brand resorts to unfair practices. However, remember that before moving to the forum, you can also file a complaint directly with the brand. The following section discusses some of the grounds on which you can file a complaint.

What Are the Grounds for Filing a Complaint?

You may be confused about whether the grounds on which you plan to file a complaint are valid. Here are a few valid reasons for which you can file a complaint:

1. If the brand is resorting to unfair trade practices
2. If the brand sells defective goods or services
3. If the brand is overcharging for a product or service
4. If the brand sells hazardous goods or services

If the above criteria are met, you can confidently file your complaint. However, it is advisable to understand the process well to avoid making the mistakes mentioned in the section below.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Complaint

• Not Having Proper Evidence:

You must present substantial evidence to the stakeholders to establish that your complaint is valid. Without proper proof, your complaint may be ignored. Collect all the relevant documents, receipts, bills, invoices, and contracts (if any) that can help you prove your claims. If possible, photographs of the goods or services should also be collected. This evidence should be enough to validate your complaint.

• Not Sending a Legal Notice:

Sending a legal notice to the opposite party allows you to resolve the complaint amicably without going through lengthy legal proceedings. When you draft a legal notice, clearly state your grievances and how you want them resolved. This will give the opposite party an idea of what your demands are. 

• Filing a Vague or Incomplete Complaint:

This point builds on the previous one. The last thing you want to do is file a vague and incomplete complaint that does not provide the necessary information or afford clarity to the opposite party. How clearly you are able to state your problem will play a crucial role in determining how your complaint will be perceived.

So what to do? State the facts, attach proofs, write down your grievances, and most importantly, use simple language to make your complaint easy to understand. What not to do? Making demands without clarity, using language or format that is difficult to understand, or filing a complaint on the grounds of assumptions are some things you should avoid.

• Filing a Complaint Beyond the Time Limit:

The maximum time limit to file a complaint in India is two years. Complaints filed beyond this time limit are usually dismissed. However, if the delay is due to valid reasons, your request may be considered.

Conclusion

Remember that you, as a customer, have the right to file a complaint if you are dissatisfied with the products or services provided by any entity, whether private, public, or corporate. However, to achieve a favorable outcome, you must be aware of the mistakes listed above and ensure you steer clear of them.