• Other useful phrases for letters of complaint

I regret to have to inform you that…

I very much regret choosing…

Your advertisement failed to mention the fact that…

Your advertisement offered/ stated/ claimed that…, but in fact/ as it turned out…

As far as the hotel amenities are concerned…

As regards the hotel amenities,…

It is with great reluctance that I must inform you …

I found it irritating in the extreme to …

It has come to my attention that …

It was somewhat disconcerting to find that …

It was with indignation that I realized …

I was displeased/ disturbed/ distressed/ offended/ disappointed by …

I would like to alert you to …

… every reasonable effort should be made to …

That little mistake put me to the expense of …

Further to my letter of May 13^th in connection with …

I was surprised/ shocked/ horrified to find…

I returned/ explained/ requested…

What made matters worse was that…

On top of all this…

This caused me to…

I am sure you will appreciate that this level of service is unacceptable.

I expect to be compensated for the inconvenience I have been caused.

I expect better service from a company of your reputation.

Please replace the goods as soon as possible.

I would like to know what action you will take to rectify this situation.

In future I shall take my custom elsewhere.

I look forward to a prompt reply/ a full explanation.

I await your response/ comments.

I feel that I am entitled to compensation for…

I would be grateful if you would reply by return of post.

In the circumstances I believe I am entitled to compensation.

I wish to be reimbursed for …

I would be grateful to receive a cheque for the outstanding sum without further delay.

I must insist that you deliver …with no further delay and at no additional expense to myself.

… would be appropriate compensation for the inconvenience caused to my family.

In view of the many ways in which it did not match the claims made for it in your publicity, I expect a substantial refund.

Under the circumstances, I feel that an apology should be offered.

I shall have no alternative but to put the matter in the hands of my solicitors should your cheque not be received by May 1^st.

Unless I hear from you within ten days, I shall have to take legal advice on the matter.

If I do not hear from you before 3 May, I shall be obliged to take matters a step further.

had no right to insult us like that

I found it insulting/ dishonourable

highly irregular behaviour/ incivility

inaccurate/ erroneous/ incomplete information

to fudge the facts

the standard/ level/ quality of service

to provide a first-class service

to damage your reputation

to act dishonestly

for some inexplicable reason …

an appallingly inept treatment

inexcusable treatment

unsanitary living conditions

unhygienic surroundings

mismanagement and incompetence

a matter of great urgency

unacquainted with their work

unadventurous cooking

unpalatable food

to be presented with a long list of grievances

an unhappy series of events

serious omission/ problem

under the mistaken impression that …

It caused us great discomfort and annoyance

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident.

What is at issue is their unwillingness to deal with the problem.

The situation was most embarrassing.

It was a living hell for us.

The standards were far from impeccable.

It is the service/ behaviour, etc. that I found particularly objectionable.

I feel both saddened and offended/ disconsolate.

The firm has an obligation to its customers.

I found (the behaviour) reprehensible/ unsuitable.

It is scandalous/ regrettable that…

My discontent with the service was …

The scandal may bring disgrace on the entire company.

The way they treated me is an absolute disgrace.

They disgraced themselves by behaving this way.

They behaved disgracefully.

No one deserves to be treated with this level of disrespect

It distressed me to think that …

The sheer incompetence of …

It was highly offensive and quite inexcusable …

The equipment is unreliable/ unsafe to use.

The conditions were quite unspeakable.

The efforts were largely unsuccessful.

This was an unwarranted invasion of my personal privacy.

What happened was unforgivable/ seemed ungracious.

The atmosphere was distinctly unfriendly.

It did not meet my expectations.