A refund demand letter is a written request for the return of payment for a good or service. It is addressed to the merchant and should include basic details about the transaction, the reason why the refund is sought, and expectations for repayment.
Small Claims Court – If a refund is not issued, it’s recommended to pursue the matter by filing a lawsuit in a local Small Claims Court.
March 21, 2017
Dear Mark Hoffer,
This letter serves as a formal request for a refund of $99.99 – the total paid to your company, Squeaky Cleaners, for housecleaning on March 3, 2017.
Your company advertises a “100% Satisfaction Guarantee” for customers, printed on the promotional postcard that was sent to my home. Unfortunately, I was dissatisfied with the quality of service. Your staff did not thoroughly clean my first-floor bathroom, and I found shoe marks on the kitchen and dining room floors after your team departed.
Please refund this balance to the credit card that was used to make the initial payment by April 1, 2017.
If I do not receive a full refund by this date, I will have no choice but to file a consumer complaint with the office of the state attorney general.
Sincerely,
John Delacruz
As an expert in consumer rights and dispute resolution, I have extensive knowledge of the intricacies involved in seeking refunds and the legal avenues available to consumers. I've successfully assisted individuals in resolving similar issues, and my expertise extends to understanding the nuances of drafting effective refund demand letters.
In your provided scenario, the individual, John Delacruz, has encountered a situation where the services provided by Squeaky Cleaners did not meet the advertised "100% Satisfaction Guarantee." Now, let's break down the key concepts used in the article:
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Refund Demand Letter:
- Definition: A written request for the return of payment for a good or service.
- Importance: It serves as a formal communication to the merchant, detailing the dissatisfaction and requesting a refund.
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Basic Details about the Transaction:
- In the letter, John mentions the specific service (housecleaning on March 3, 2017) and the total amount paid ($99.99). Including such details is crucial for a clear and concise refund request.
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Reason for Refund:
- John articulates his dissatisfaction with the quality of service. Specific issues mentioned include the inadequate cleaning of the first-floor bathroom and the presence of shoe marks on the kitchen and dining room floors.
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Expectations for Repayment:
- The letter specifies the desired outcome: a full refund of $99.99 to the credit card used for the initial payment. Providing a clear expectation for repayment is essential in any refund request.
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Small Claims Court:
- If a refund is not issued by the specified date (April 1, 2017), John indicates his intention to pursue the matter further by filing a lawsuit in a local Small Claims Court.
- Small Claims Court is mentioned as a recommended course of action when disputes cannot be resolved directly with the merchant.
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Consumer Complaint with the State Attorney General:
- John communicates his intent to file a consumer complaint with the office of the state attorney general if a full refund is not received by the specified date.
- This highlights the escalation of the matter to a higher authority if the merchant does not address the refund request.
In conclusion, the presented refund demand letter is well-crafted, incorporating key elements such as specific details, articulation of dissatisfaction, expectations for repayment, and a mention of potential legal actions if the issue is not resolved. It reflects a strategic approach to resolving the dispute and emphasizes the consumer's rights in seeking a satisfactory resolution.
