Writing letters to big companies to complain about a product or service is a big waste of time. The majority of the time, your letters get thrown on a never ending pile, and eventually an intern, PR person (that’s me), or a mail room guy will answer you with some standard response. Yes, there are times you will receive a free meal, additional airline points, or a gift certificate to Pizza Hut or some other large chain which is easy for most people to access. But usually not.

If you want to get immediate satisfaction, learn to use Twitter. In the last few months, major companies have staffs of up to 50 people monitoring this particular social media platform to immediately cure any nasty comments someone has posted about them. The last thing a company needs is a disgruntled customer airing his or her complaints in front of millions of viewers.

The Twitter satisfaction plan is something active members know about. I don’t think many DigiDame readers truly understand the power of Twitter. When you are stuck in a situation that is not your fault or you just can’t get what you need or deserve right on the spot, Twitter is your strong arm. Let me give you some scenarios that are going to blow your mind. It did mine. I never thought I would live in an age when dedicated people come out in force to rescue you.

The following are true situations. I am using false names because I didn’t ask the folks involved permission to disclose who they are.

1) My friend Peter was traveling to Los Angeles a few weeks ago and was very late for his flight. When he got to the security gate, the line was a block long. He went to the front of the line to tell the security guard his situation. He got a blank stare, was told that "everyone" was late, and to get to the back of line or else he'd be even later. Demoralized, he did what he was instructed. After a few seconds he tweeted, “Missing my Ft 332, AA La Guardia airport, because security is so slow. No one will listen to my pleas". Not 20 seconds later he heard a woman announcing his name a few rows away. He raised his hand. She took him off the line and escorted him through security. He is still in a state of shock.

2) My female client Susan bought three pairs of heels in Nine West six months ago only to
discover that one pair was the wrong size. She is a size eight and the pair she brought on her business trip to Chicago was a nine. She had no choice but to wear the shoes because they were the right color and she didn't have time to buy new ones. She had meeting after meeting. She flopped around for two days. When she got home she brought the shoes back to the store explaining the situation. They wouldn't take the used shoes back even though they mahave made a mistake. I think most of us can understand why. Not Susan. She tweeted her heart ou in three posts. Two hours later Nine West contacted Susan via a tweet. They arranged for Susan to get the right size plus sent her the same style in all available colors. Susan claims she is a "forever" a Nine West customer.

I know of several other situations just like this. I am not saying that Twitter is going be the answer for all consumer woes but it surely is a great way to get things done in record breaking.