Write a French complaint: facts, consequence and a clear request
Build a short French complaint about the wrong item in a delivery. Compare useful facts with guesses, follow a model email and practise the final request.
In short
Give the order reference, describe what arrived, explain the practical problem and ask for a specific response. J’ai commandé un carnet bleu, mais j’ai reçu un carnet rouge gives the reader a fact they can act on.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
How do you write a complaint in French?
| Part | French wording | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | Ma commande n° 482, reçue le 6 juin. | Finds the transaction. |
| Describe | J’ai commandé un carnet bleu, mais j’ai reçu un carnet rouge. | States the mismatch. |
| Explain | Je souhaite l’offrir avec un stylo bleu. | Explains why the colour matters. |
| Ask | Pourriez-vous m’indiquer comment échanger ce carnet ? | Requests exchange instructions. |
Name the item and its packaging
Find:
Read the complete email
Objet : Mauvaise couleur — commande n° 482 Bonjour, J’ai reçu ma commande n° 482 le 6 juin. J’avais choisi un carnet bleu, mais le carnet reçu est rouge. Je souhaite l’offrir avec un stylo bleu, donc la couleur compte pour moi. Pourriez-vous m’indiquer comment échanger ce carnet contre le modèle bleu ? Je peux vous envoyer une photo du carnet reçu. Merci pour votre aide. Cordialement, Alex Martin
Subject: Wrong colour — order no. 482 Hello, I received order no. 482 on 6 June. I had chosen a blue notebook, but the notebook I received is red. I want to give it as a gift with a blue pen, so the colour matters to me. Could you tell me how to exchange this notebook for the blue model? I can send you a photo of the notebook I received. Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Alex Martin
J’avais choisi places the choice before the delivery. A simpler A2 version works too: J’ai commandé un carnet bleu, mais j’ai reçu un carnet rouge. In both versions, the final question asks for instructions. Je peux vous envoyer une photo offers evidence for a next reply.
How do you keep a French complaint polite and precise?
Vous avez fait exprès de m’envoyer le mauvais carnet.You deliberately sent me the wrong notebook.
Focus: Assigns a motive.
Le carnet reçu est rouge ; j’avais commandé le modèle bleu.
The notebook I received is red; I had ordered the blue model.
Je ne suis pas satisfait.I am not satisfied.
Focus: States a feeling; add the response you want.
Je souhaite échanger le carnet. Pourriez-vous m’indiquer la procédure ?
I would like to exchange the notebook. Could you tell me the procedure?