Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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There’s much to complain about in modern life, from flights that depart five hours late (or not at all) to deliveries that don’t arrive to repair services that fail to fix stuff.

Yet few of us — studies indicate it’s about one in four — complain to the companies that did us wrong.

“If you don’t complain, the company can’t make amends, and the problem will persist for other consumers,” said Robin Kowalski, a psychology professor at Clemson University who has extensively studied complaining.

The trick is to complain effectively and diligently follow up. Here are ways to get what you want:

Go to the top

To get results, let the company’s owner or a manager know you are dissatisfied.

With a large business, start with the customer service team, and remain polite. If that doesn’t work, get the email address or phone number for the company’s CEO or president. Although the company’s big cheese probably won’t handle your complaint personally, their staff will likely find someone who can help.

“It’s usually about sheer persistence — stay on the phone with customer service, keep asking for the manager’s manager,” Kowalski said.

Succinctly explain the problem

Complain in writing, stating the facts as you view them, why you feel entitled to relief, and how the company can make amends.

Keep your request short — and reasonable. For example, don’t ask for a full refund on a home improvement project if four out of five tasks were performed correctly.

Be firm but polite

Use firm language but avoid threats. Even if you believe you were intentionally cheated, don’t use words like “crook,” “criminal,” “incompetent” or worse. If you speak rudely or unreasonably, what could have been a calm (and quick) resolution escalates into a feud.

Charly Rok, a New York marketing executive, recently stayed in a hotel where the hot water stopped working. Though she told the front desk, the problem wasn’t fixed quickly enough for her to shower before a big meeting. Later, she asked to speak to a manager.

“I was complimentary of the hotel and the staff and then shared that there was no hot water on the last day of my visit,” Rok said. “The manager apologized, sympathized and added points to my loyalty program equivalent to a single-night stay.”

Document everything

When complaining in writing, provide copies of relevant documents or photographs.

“Have your ducks in a row before you approach someone — your receipt, your contract, the date you bought that gadget and the date it broke,” Kowalski said. “The more specific you are, the more likely you are to get a favorable response.”

Take to social media

Another option is to post your complaint — and your desired resolution — on social media sites and tag the business. This forces the company to decide whether it wants to attract good or bad publicity from your dispute.

Many companies have staff who monitor social media to resolve complaints quickly and show how responsive they are to customers.

That’s what Lawrence Luk, a photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area, did when his internet service was mysteriously out for two days

“I couldn’t get through to the provider’s customer service,” he said. “So I made an Instagram story and tagged them, and heard back in a few minutes. Not only did the company give me a discount that month, they explained what was happening.”

Dispute the charge

If you paid by credit card, you’re in luck. The federal Fair Credit Billing Act and the policies of credit card issuers provide enormous leverage by allowing you to withhold payment for goods and services you believe are defective or not delivered as promised.

After you’ve tried unsuccessfully to resolve the matter with the service provider, contact your credit card bank to dispute the charge (you usually can do this even after you’ve paid the bill).

Once you’ve requested this “chargeback,” your credit card bank will place a hold on the disputed charge and investigate. The service provider can protest the chargeback, but sellers rarely successfully reverse chargebacks if the customer has returned (or tried to return) the goods or can document the service defect.

Ask for help

Another option is to file a complaint with a government consumer agency. Consumer protection offices have legal authority over many types of businesses.

Staff might go beyond resolving your complaint; they might get the merchant to agree to change business practices and/or provide relief to additional aggrieved consumers; or they might force the business to pay penalties.

You can also seek help from a private agency, such as the Better Business Bureau or Call For Action. But government agencies have the force of law behind them and can pursue legal action if evidence shows the merchant has violated the law.

Go to small claims court

Most states’ small claims courts have advisers to help you prepare your case. Filing fees are around $50 for disputes up to $5,000.

Unfortunately, the fine print of many contracts and the terms and conditions of most online businesses now include a prohibition on lawsuits; instead, you’ll have to seek restitution via the company’s arbitration program, which is often an onerous process.

Excerpted with permission from Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help consumers get great service and low prices. It is supported by consumers and takes no money from the service providers it evaluates.

Beacon readers can view Checkbook’s ratings and advice free for 30 days via Checkbook.org/promo/beacon. Also, check out the Consumerpedia podcast for more consumer news you can use at consumerpedia.org.