BR Video: Public believes the internet has made it too easy to complain

LONDON - The recent u-turn by Marks & Spencer over its £2 surcharge on larger bras, following a public backlash, was yet another example of the growing number of complaints from consumers -- the public interviewed in the latest Brand Republic video believe the internet is part of the cause, watch it now.

M&S decided to abandon the charge it had introduced for bras sized DD and above earlier this month after the national press led a revolt, launching an online campaign called 'Busts 4 Justice', whose Facebook group attracted more than 8,000 members.

Sir Stuart Rose, M&S chief executive, admitted the retailer had "got it wrong".

However, the majority of the people interviewed in the latest Brand Republic video think that the public complain too much and "need to concentrate on the bigger picture".

One woman said: "I just think, chill out a bit, you don't need to complain all the time. I get people complaining at work and I think, 'oh, get over it'."

Another woman held the opposing view: "British people don't complain enough and that's why companies get away with selling some services and products that are not necessarily good enough."

Many believed that people are more likely to complain these days, than they were in the past, because the internet has made it easier for everyone to voice their complaints to peers and businesses.

Those questioned believed that the benefits of making a complaint included receiving compensation in the form of money-off vouchers, which they suggested could be helpful in the current economic climate.

Others suggested that complaining would hopefully lead to better products or services in the future, just as the M&S campaign led to the elimination of the retailer's £2 surcharge.

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