Janice.(and others) My experience with 'watchdogs' in a number of other areas has been that they do not like to bite, In fact, they often do not like barking.
They will find 'every which way' to avoid their involvement from ignoring to attempting to 'pass the buck'
I have come to believe that is their real raison d'etre - to fob you off, burn up your patience in the hope that you will give up and go away.
And the latter is what most people do.
However, what I have found is to do that which they do not expect, and really dislike - that you persist. Also, that you go to other options and indicate that you have also informed others. It's akin to naming and shaming.
I just took on my local City Hall, and you know what they say - that you can't fight City Hall. I went to the Local Government Ombudsman, I appealed to the National (British)Government related department. All, I found, stick by each other.
But I persisted. How wonderful is the internet, and e-mail especially to we 'on our owners'. You know, these departments have not yet quite adjusted to its power of easy access, and commincative far reach.
To cut a very long story short. I would not be put off. I persisted. In the end they backed down and I even received from 'City Hall' a cheque ('check' to most of you) for my trouble - time and cost)
Yes, they will tell you ANYTHING. They are trained to do that.
99 cases out of a hundred they know you will give up. But when you let them know that if what you say is proved right, you have on record that you informed them and they did nothing, and that you will take this to the media. It makes them VERY uncomfortable.
This is only ONE of my three experiences with 'watchdogs' and in each case, I made my point, persisted, and got satisfaction.
Here's one little tip I have used to bring pressure on a company. Contact the local Chamber of Commerce, point out your concerns, and how,if correct, it brings discredit on the town or city's other businesses. Have one basic letter format, KEEP IT SIMPLE and to the point, and only slightly adjust it, if necesary, to the different organisation being contacted.
I even got the rent deposit back from a Chicago landlord, when I had moved to Florida by contacting the local Chamber of Commerce of which he was a member and acquainting them with the details.
I have returned to the UK now, so it is not so easy for me to 'have bite' in these matters in the US. However, I am willing to add my bit if others are so willing.
Just a few thoughts I have shared. No hard feelings if you disagree.
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