Consumer Watch: How to complain on social media and get results

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Andres Baracaldo loves barbeque, and he spent big bucks on his custom-made smoker.

But when his pit arrived damaged, he was devastated.

"When I saw the damage, I honestly couldn't even believe it," Baracaldo said.

The smoker's wheel axle was bent, paint was chipped and it was covered in dents and dings, so Baracaldo took to social media.

"I took pictures of the damage, and I uploaded that to the Facebook group," Baracaldo said. "People right away started chiming in with similar experiences and how it was made right."

The company quickly took notice, and the owner contacted Andres directly. He was sent parts for repair and fresh paint, and he was even refunded over $1,000.

More and more consumers are following his lead in taking to social media to get results.

"Well, the appeal of using Twitter is that it's typically very public, easily searchable, and the company is very limited in its ability to hide that complaint," says Consumer Reports Editor Kevin Doyle.

Here are some tips to make social media complaining more effective:

First, target an active verified account, one that is regularly monitored.

Never post private information in public places. This is especially important for Facebook and Twitter. Only disclose that type of info through direct messages when you know you're chatting with a company representative.

And be honest - exaggerating your claim won't help you get better service.

Always be respectful. A positive attitude may result in a positive outcome.

"Companies recognize the power of social media," Doyle said. "They know that a negative complaint can reflect badly on the entire company."

Fortunately, Andres feels his situation was rectified.

"Honestly, I don't think I could've gotten better customer service," Baracaldo said.