Are you a shy person? Do you avoid conflict? You might be missing out on numerous ways to save money. Did you know that you can actually save money by complaining? It’s not really complaining. It’s being persistent with big corporations and not letting them push you around with hidden fees. Here is a list of the industries that respond to complainers the most:

The Ponemon Institute put together this statistic based on the number of times that customer service representatives give in to customer’s complaints:

Credit Cards: 65%
Airlines: 60%
Grocers: 57%
Retirement
Accounts 52%
ISP: 52%
Hotels: 37%
Banks: 33%
Insurers: 29%
Cell phone
service: 27%
Cable and
Satellite TV: 20%

Credit Cards and Banks: If you have an account in good standing that you pay on time every month, it’s very easy to get a fee taken off such as a late payment or overdraft fee. If you habitually overdraft or make late payments, then the customer service rep will be less likely to grant you a credit.
Hotels: Hotels make money by performing great customer service. So, complaining can get you a long way with a hotel that cares about their image. If something isn’t right, let them know.
Insurers: If you file a claim and your adjuster doesn’t pay you enough for your car or property damage, give them a call. Don’t assume that the check they send you is the end of the money. Remember, never sign a “release of all claims” form until you are satisfied with the amount you received. You don’t need an attorney to get the adequate amount for your claim.
Airlines: I was surprised to hear this one. I have never had luck with an airline. But, they are usually willing to change your seats, or get you onto another flight if the airport is too busy or you were late.

Please don’t misunderstand me in this post. I’m not trying to get you to become a whiny, annoying complainer. The point is that when you speak up, you can save money. Don’t let big corporations walk all over you. You are the customer, and they need to take care of you. Capitalism is a beautiful thing, because the customer has so much control. We often forget about the power we possess as a consumer. Be kind and courteous, but be firm with the companies you deal with. You’ll be surprised at the results.