Prepare to complain

To resolve an issue as quickly and easily as possible, you need to:

1. Verify you have an issue.
2. Decide the outcome you want.
3. Gather your evidence.
4. Contact the retailer or service provider.
5. Work together to resolve the problem.

These steps are in our visual guide, and written out in more detail below.

Steps to resolve a problem

Download guide: Steps to resolve a problem [PDF, 645 KB]

1. Verify you have an issue

Make sure you have a valid reason to complain. Consumer law doesn't apply if you caused the damage or lost an item.

If it is a valid complaint, it helps if you:

• can prove purchase details
• have been using the product or service as intended

Check you have a case

2. Decide the outcome you want

Think about what it would take to make it right. Do you want:

• a refund
• repairs or improvements
• a replacement.

Be reasonable in what you ask for. Make sure what you're asking for is in proportion to the size of the issue. If you're offered repairs but don't want that, explain why it's not a satisfactory outcome for you.

3. Gather evidence and write a description of the issue

You should write down in detail what the problem is with the item or service. Include details like:

• a description of the item or service
• date of purchase
• date the problem occurred
• what you've done so far
• details of any official conversations you've had about it
• any reference number
• what you would like done about the issue.

Check what your legal rights are. Make a note of which law(s) apply to your problem. You might want to name that law when making the complaint.

Consumer laws

Keeping records

Keep any documents that relate to your complaint, and take them with you or include copies when you make your official complaint. Keep things like:

• sales dockets, receipts and invoices
• hire purchase agreements or credit contracts
• layby agreements
• guarantees
• bank statements if the dispute is over a payment or account.

4. Contact the retailer or service provider

Once you've got all your evidence together and know what outcome you want, contact the seller to discuss the issue.

Tips when complaining

Take your complaint further

More help

Get support at any point from:

• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) — a free, independent service, run by volunteers. CAB can advise you on your consumer rights and obligations, in person, by phone, or online.
• Community Law Centre — offers free one-on-one legal advice to people with limited finances. The organisation has 24 community law centres throughout the country. You can find legal information and other resources on its website.
• MoneyTalks — gives free budgeting advice to individuals, family and whānau. Financial mentors can help you understand your financial situation, organise your debt and plan for the future. They can also put you in touch with a local budgeting service and help you address issues you're having with lenders. Contact them on 0800 345 123. Or by live chat, email or text, if you prefer.

Find a CAB (external link) — Citizens Advice Bureau

Our law centres(external link) — Community Law Centres

Contact information(external link) — MoneyTalks

You can raise an issue in writing, face-to-face or over the phone. Before you do, make sure you're prepared. If the problem is complicated or potentially worth a lot of money, consider getting legal advice.