How To 5 Times You Should Have Asked a Company for More Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Written by Mint.com Published Mar 31, 2011 2 min read Advertising Disclosure The views expressed on this blog are those of the bloggers, and not necessarily those of Intuit. Third-party blogger may have received compensation for their time and services. Click here to read full disclosure on third-party bloggers. This blog does not provide legal, financial, accounting or tax advice. The content on this blog is "as is" and carries no warranties. Intuit does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the content on this blog. After 20 days, comments are closed on posts. Intuit may, but has no obligation to, monitor comments. Comments that include profanity or abusive language will not be posted. Click here to read full Terms of Service. (iStockphoto) Sometimes, customers let a company get away with murder — figuratively speaking. When something goes wrong, they take the first offer, whether it’s a voucher for a future hotel stay, a refurbished product, or an empty apology. You should almost never take the first offer. Last week I introduced you to the term “gimme pig.” But there’s an opposite problem that affects far more consumers. I call it “aw, shucks” syndrome. As in, “aw, shucks, I don’t deserve anything.” But sometimes, you do. Here are five times when you should ask for more than you’ve received: 1. When a company isn’t being fair If two customers with the identical problem are offered different resolutions, then you have a right to ask the company to be equitable. I sometimes deal with travelers who are turned away from a hotel because it’s overbooked. One person will be offered nothing more than a refund, while another will be given a room at another property. The one left high and dry should not be content with the initial offer, especially when it’s obvious the company isn’t being even-handed. 2. When the contract or terms say you deserve more I encounter this problem constantly when I deal with airline passengers. The company wants to offer a voucher or lesser compensation for a customer-service problem when, in fact, its own contract (called a “contract of carriage”) promises more. Reading the contract is almost always enough to ensure the company does the right thing. 3. When the law says otherwise You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that when you say, “there ought to be a law” there probably is a law somewhere on the books. A simple online search can reveal state or federal consumer law that applies to your situation, such as a state’s lemon law for new cars. When you’ve found that your company isn’t following the law, you should tell it – nicely. 4. When you feel completely ripped off and are ready to walk away Customers often know in their gut when they’ve been taken advantage of. The polite ones often hold that feeling inside and just decide to go to a competitor the next time. But why not give a business the chance to make things right? 5. When they promised you something else And that promise would preferably be in writing, but it doesn’t have to be. If a representative said: “We’ll trade out those defective tires for free” or, “We’ll replace the faulty switch on your new blender” then you have every right to hold the company to its promises. And you should. Bottom line: Don’t be a pushover. Stand up for what you deserve. Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate who blogs about getting better customer service at On Your Side. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook or send him your questions by email. Previous Post Should You Refinance Your Car Loan? Next Post Falling Short: How Far Are States’ Budgets In The Red? Written by Mint.com More from Mint.com Browse Related Articles Mint App News Intuit Credit Karma welcomes all Minters! Retirement 101 5 Things the SECURE 2.0 Act changes about retirement Home Buying 101 What Are Homeowners Association (HOA) Fees and What Do … Financial Planning What Are Tax Deductions and Credits? 20 Ways To Save on… Financial Planning What Is Income Tax and How Is It Calculated? Investing 101 The 15 Best Investments for 2023 Investing 101 How To Buy Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide Investing 101 What Is Real Estate Wholesaling? Life What Is A Brushing Scam? Financial Planning WTFinance: Annuities vs Life Insurance