Hoja de reclamaciones

Has any member had experience of making a complaint about a business using the hojade reclamaciones procedure, which I believe to be something similar to trading standards in the UK?

Any information would be greatfully received.

Thankyou.

This is what I posted  on 25th March 2012

(I found in by using the serach facility. Several other results came up too )

Thank you John, that is interesting.

I notice you replied to my other thread, do you think I am wasting my time on this.

Regards.

It depends the circumstances on why and what you are complaining about because often jus asking for the form can change the attitude of the business and I have used the forms very successfully on numerous occasions

The Spanish consumer people if you look them up is OMIC and the real issues with the system are that you have to do the form in person at the business and then ideally find the OMIC offices and give them the form, they are normally attached to the local Town Hall

Don't take any notice if the tell you to complete the form in Spanish and it should be a multi-part numbered form, you keep a copy, the business has a copy and a copy goes to OMIC

Use the system as it works very well if you cam prove a justified claim

Hi everyone,

I don't know if this can help, but I've been working at the tourist office in Madrid, and we used to help people with this kind of issues, because the business must provide a complaint form, but is not obliged to translate it.

If it's about a big problem, I aleays recommend to go to the police station, they use to have someone to translate or english speaker.

Good luck

Is there a time limit on submitting this form, and what is the situation where the business refuses all requests to provide an official mailing address or to meet to discuss the complaint?

 I am not sure on time limit - perhaps 15 days? I only say that as this is the time allowed to return any items that are faulty etc...

They usually give a refund (or at the very least a credit note for the store) immeidatley.

The main time I have used the hoja, was after being sold a printer for my computer and it turned out not to be compatible, even though I had asked the advice of the shop assistant. I kind of remember (it was some years ago now), that for some reason I did not take the printer out of the box for at least a month (over the 30 days).  When I found out it was not compatible, I took it back to the store (Boulanger - now Worten), and they refused to refund my money (or even give me a credit note.) I demanded the hoja, filled it out - and they still refused.  A stiff letter to them and the threat of taking the matter up via the OMIC (consumer office - who arbirtate in some matters)... they finally agreed to a full refund.

But it was touch and go!

The other times I have filled out reclamaciones (same as hoja) was by recorded burofax (only way to do an official complaint against some bigger co's).... against Telefonica for refusing to install us a landline - after the engineers site visit had said it was OK. 

They never responded (surprize surpirze), and we never follwed it through - too much wasted energy. + we found another supplier. 

The OMIC are great for general advice on consumer matters and yes, it is taken seriously (in general) by companies if you get them involved and it is usually resolved before it reaches that stage.

(Eg - some friends who came on holiday to visit me rented a car - they were told to return the car with an empty petrol tank - but were over charge - as we all know! Eu60 instead of the Eu30 it actually is. They did the hoja before leaving the country, and their credit card was refunded the difference. Result!) But if they had not known about it via me - they would have been stung. 

John...

That is very helpful information.

Thank you.