Dealing with disputes will be the focus of a free public information session being run by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) on Friday as part of the national CAB Awareness Week.
CAB Queenstown chairman Jon Bitcheno said a large percentage of the nearly 5000 inquiries fielded by the bureau each year were based on a complaint or dispute with a service provider and it was clear many were unsure how to ''complain effectively'' or where to go if they were unable to sort out things with the other party.
''There are a few simple rules of thumb to making a complaint effectively.
''First of all you need to be clear in your mind about what the problem is and what you want them to do about it - within reason.
''Gather any evidence you have to support your complaint, such as receipts, emails and photos.
''Be calm and polite when you make your complaint and it is a good idea to raise any issues in writing so that you have a record of the communication.''
Mr Bitcheno said if agreement could not be reached, complaints could be laid with the appropriate bodies, the Complaintline website providing information about which organisation to lay the complaint with.
The information session would also look at the process of going to the Disputes Tribunal or other complaints organisations.
Queenstown lawyer Dale Lloyd, of Dale Lloyd Law, will be guest speaker at the session, discussing how to formulate and lodge an effective complaint.
The Dealing With Disputes session is open to anyone interested in attending and will be held at the St John rooms in Douglas St, Frankton, from 10am on Friday.
