Consumer Problem? Get Consumerist

Years ago if you had a problem with a local store or service provider, you would complain to your neighbors or friends and that was about all. Usually the local retailer would resolve your problem because he knew how much his reputation meant in the community and if that didn't work and you had enough friends you may have been able to stage a small protest at the store that did you wrong and get enough local negative publicity that your problem would be fixed. Now with the mega box stores, interminable waits for an email response from corporate or a language lesson when contacting their customer service department (which are all now located in third world countries) is the norm. And resolving a problem for one little guy is not something you can count on happening.
Enter the internet, where if your situation is grievous/interesting/horrifying enough, your message can go viral and bring the wrath of thousands of articulate emailers to your defense (and usually shame the company into resolving your problem). In addition to complaining to the Better Business Bureau, a great place to post/find out what's happening with consumers--both good and bad--is The Consumerist.
The moral of this story is that if you have a legitimate problem, take action. The little guy doesn't have to be at the mercy of the giant corporations, there are valid ways to fight back and get what is due to you, by harnessing the power of the internet.