IELTS HUB
Formal Complaint Letter #282
GT Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently ordered a small item online but when it arrived, it was damaged.

Write a letter to the company that sold you the item. In your letter:

  • give details about the order you made
  • explain what was wrong with the item
  • tell the company what you want them to do about it

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses at the top of your letter.

Begin your letter as follows: Dear ……………,

One box per bullet, then compare with Band 9.
222 words · 3 body paragraphs
Opening

I am writing to inform you about an issue with a recent order I made on your website.

Bullet 1

give details about the order you made

I placed an order for a small decorative vase on your website last week, and it arrived yesterday. Unfortunately, upon opening the package, I noticed that the vase was damaged. There was a visible crack on the side of the vase, which was disappointing as I was looking forward to using it to decorate my living room.

Bullet 2

explain what was wrong with the item

The item was securely packaged, so I believe the damage occurred before it was shipped. I understand that accidents can happen during transit, but I was disappointed to receive a damaged item. As a loyal customer, I have always been satisfied with the quality of your products, which is why I am reaching out to address this issue.

Bullet 3

tell the company what you want them to do about it

I kindly request that you arrange for a replacement vase to be sent to me at your earliest convenience. I would appreciate it if you could ensure that the replacement item is carefully inspected for any defects before shipping it out to avoid a similar situation. Additionally, if possible, I would like to request a small discount on my next purchase as a gesture of goodwill.

Closing

I hope to hear from you soon regarding the replacement and resolution of this matter. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Go further with the books

General Task 1

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Writing Task 2

100 Essential IELTS Essays

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