General Training Writing Task 1
WRITING
2. Complaint Letter (Formal)
You went for dinner at a local restaurant but the meal was disappointing. You would like to complain to the restaurant manager.
Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:
explain why you decided to eat at the restaurant
describe the problems
say what you would like the manager to do
Model Answer:
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am writing with regard to a meal I had at your restaurant on Wednesday evening. I would like to complain about the poor quality of both the food and service I received.
I was recommended to eat at your restaurant by a friend who told me about the fantastic ambience, mouthwatering food and impeccable service. My wife and I were really looking forward to enjoying the fine dining experience, but it in no way lived up to expectations. Firstly, there was an issue with the chicken in my wife’s main course. We were dismayed to discover that it had not been adequately cooked and was partially raw. We would have let this pass as a mishap, had my wife been offered an immediate replacement. However, when I reported the problem to the waiter, not only did he refuse to replace the dish, but he rudely told me to stop complaining.
I would like to request a full refund for the meal, as my wife was unable to eat her dish, and we were both offended by your waiter’s rude behaviour. I’d like to remind you that raw chicken is not hygienic and potentially dangerous if eaten. I sincerely hope that you will improve your kitchen standards, as well as your customer service in the future.
Yours faithfully,
Mike Jeffries
Useful Phrases:
Introduction:
I am writing with regard to...
I would like to complain about the poor quality of...
Describing a problem:
there was an issue with...
we were dismayed to discover that...
I reported the problem to...
it did not live up to expectations
Making a request:
I would like to request...
Ending:
I sincerely hope that you will improve...