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I once put the word "complaint" on the top of a letter to a UK bank who had made a mistake on a statement. It made all the difference. What had previously been dismissed as unimportant was addressed and they sent me £100 compensation.

Just taking that first step towards the Financial Ombudsman was enough.

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It's a bit "one weird trick", but you're right that absolutely the best way to get consumer problems addressed in the UK is to use the word "complaint". It starts the clock as complaints typically have to be addressed within certain time limits.

If you don't use the word complaint then companies can argue that they thought you were merely providing feedback or engaging in something other than a complaint.

As soon as you use the word complaint, they can't argue that and it puts you on track to escalate to the ombudsman and the companies know it, and they know you know it.

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