Despite taking precautions, you may still experience a violation of your consumer rights. If you experienced problems with an item or service that your purchased, you have the right to complain. If you are not satisfied with the retailer’s response, you have the right to file a formal complaint against the business. Just as you have consumer rights, you also have an obligation to speak up when your rights are violated and express your concerns. If a purchased product is defective, your first step should be to contact the seller or manufacturer of the product. If you call the manufacturer, ask to speak to the customer service department and explain the problem with the product. Most companies want to maintain good customer relations so often they will work with you to repair or replace the product.  Normally, the product needs to be defective and your claim must be maid within the timeframe of the warranty. Some companies will replace a defective product outside of the warranty because they want to maintain positive customer relations. Some sellers may require proof of purchase before repairing or replacing defective goods. If customer service is not providing satisfactory assistance, you should ask for the name of the person’s supervisor or manager and an address where you can send a letter. If after speaking with customer service, the seller or manufacturer did not resolve your issue, you should write a letter to a supervisor in the company. You can always ask a customer service representative to whom you should address your concerns. In your letter, your should address the following:  When you purchased the product or service, the amount that you paid and attach copies of any invoices or receipts that you have. A detailed description of the problem with the product or service and why it failed to meet your expectations. A statement of how you want the situations resolved, either by refund, replacement or repair. If your letter does not get a response, send a copy of the letter to the business’s national headquarters or someone higher in the management chain. If this is a small retailer, there may not be anyone else to whom you can complain and therefore you should make your complaint to consumer protection offices and organizations. You can review a sample complaint letter at: https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints. If you received poor service or a defective product and an unsatisfactory response from the retailer, you can write a negative review about the retailer online. Many online retailers such as Ebay and Amazon and websites such as Yelp allow you to post negative as well as positive reviews about products and services. By posting an online review, a retailer may respond to your concerns more quickly. If not, you have at least warned other consumers about the issues you faced. . BBB allows consumers to file complaints about businesses for poor services and products. BBB collects information about the nature of the transaction, the product and the consumer’s complaints. BBB then forwards your complaint to the business within two business days. They ask each business to respond within 14 days and try to resolve consumer complaints within 30 days. You can file a complaint with BBB at: https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started. Every state has a consumer protection agency dedicated to protecting consumer rights and addressing consumer complaints. While each agency may have its own requirements, generally you will be asked to provide the following information:  Name and contact information. Information about the seller and the type of product or service. A detailed description of your complaint.  You can find contact information for state consumer protection agencies at: https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer. At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for protecting consumer rights. The FTC accepts complaints under several broad categories: identity theft; scams and rip-offs; unwanted telemarketing, text, or SPAM; mobile devices or telephones; internet services, online shopping, or computers; education, jobs, and making money; and credit and debt. You can make a complaint to the FTC online at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1 Some contracts for services or purchase may require that a consumer and retailer engage in dispute resolution rather than filing a lawsuit. Dispute resolution may include the following:  Mediation, which is when both sides meet with a neutral third party who helps facilitate an agreement or settlement between the parties. In mediation, the parties attempt to reach an agreement with the assistance and guidance of a mediator. The mediator does not have the power to require the parties to take any actions. In an arbitration, the arbitrator acts like a judge and decides how the dispute should be resolved.

Summary: Use your right to complain. Contact the seller or manufacturer if a product is defective. Contact a supervisor in writing. Write an online review of the company. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) File a complaint with a federal or state consumer protection agency. Engage in dispute resolution.


When you first get your ears pierced, the piercing technician inserts starter earrings. These earrings are made from hypo-allergenic materials that are safe to keep in your ears. Leave them in your ears both day and night for at least 4 weeks or your piercings may close or heal improperly.  The hypo-allergenic earrings should be made of surgical stainless steel, titanium, niobium, or 14- or 18-karat gold.  If you get a cartilage ear piercing, you will need to leave the starter jewelry in for 3-5 months while it heals fully. Unnecessary handling of your piercings can lead to infection. Avoid touching them unless you are cleaning or inspecting them. If you do need to touch them, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water first. Swimming can lead to a transfer of bacteria to your new piercings, resulting in an infection.  Steer clear of pools, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water while your ears are healing. If you use a hot tub, avoid submerging your body deep enough in the water to get your ears wet. Keep your clothing away from your earrings while they heal. Pulling or friction can cause irritation and slow down the healing process. Avoid wearing hats that cover your ears and be careful when getting dressed and undressed to avoid injury. If you wear a veil, choose a fabric that won't snag easily. Try to wear very loose veils and avoid wearing the same veil multiple times without washing it. If your ears are painful and swollen a week or more after you get them pierced, they may be infected. Visit your doctor to have them checked if you notice pus or thick, dark discharge. Infected skin around the piercings will also likely be red or deep pink in color. Serious piercing infections may require drainage and oral antibiotics.
Summary: Leave your starter earrings in your ears for at least 4-6 weeks. Always wash your hands before touching your ears. Avoid swimming while your piercings are healing. Be careful with items of clothing that could snag on your earrings. See a doctor if you notice signs of infection that last several days.