Thank you for igniting our ideas
Handle My Complaint has just been awarded a coveted grant – and we couldn't have done it without you.
When we asked consumers we have helped to write testimonials as part of our submission for the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund, we were overwhelmed by the response.
Some found us via social media, others heard of us through word of mouth, and many more through extensive media coverage of our fight to get fair compensation for Hyundai or Toyota owners.
All of them had wonderful things to say about our service. Gordon Anderson, who has been instrumental in helping HMC advocate for Hyundai owners affected by ABS and engine issues, was grateful he finally found someone who would listen when he was trying to get redress for his daughter.
“I will continue to work with them and support them, because when my daughter and I and the rest of the family were very stressed and frustrated and depressed, Handle My Complaint was there,” he wrote.
By the time William George found HMC via social media he had already tried to get issues with paint peeling on his Toyota dealt with via Toyota Customer Care, a local Toyota dealer, the Office of Fair Trading and various other organisations.
“The service provided by HMC has helped me in many ways, including the initial gathering of facts relevant to my situation, the preparation and submission of my complaint and the various contacts with Toyota Australia to seek a satisfactory outcome,” he wrote.
Ignite grant fuels HMC's mission
They are just two of the thousands of Australian consumers HMC has helped over the past two years – and the many more to come with the assistance of the Ignite grant.
Handle My Complaint CEO Jo Ucukalo says the $100,000 grant is a huge boost to the company’s mission to ensure consumers get a fair go.
“Companies often ignore Australian Consumer Law and because consumers do not have the time, the money, or the knowledge to fight, many of them give up if their initial complaints go unanswered,” she says.
“Our complaints handling platform is a secure, efficient and user friendly way of collecting data that enables consumers to amplify their voices and get their complaints heard.
“We combine data from multiple sources, flagging widespread issues, such as those with Hyundai engines and Toyota paint peeling, and empower consumers.”
HMC’s advocacy has led to five class actions in the past two years, showing the power of the platform.
This includes raising awareness around so-called ‘junk insurance’, with one in three Australians buying extended warranties that are rarely worth the paper they are written on.
“We want to help create transparency around consumer guarantees, no matter what the service or product being offered, and quantify what is ‘fair and reasonable’ under Australian Consumer Law,” Ms Ucukalo says.
Ms Ucukalo says the funds will help HMC to amplify the platform to reach more Australians and ensure they get the outcomes they deserve.
So, if you feel that you’re not being treated fairly with your complaint, we’re here to help you handle it.
