Michael If you get ripped off or were treated rudely, you should complain. But how do you do that in the USA? If you're stuck on the line with some idiot from the call center and can't make any progress, you ask to speak to the boss. "Can I speak to your supervisor, please?" you ask, and then the idiots usually wake up and try to appease you. Politely but firmly, you point out that you didn't get the information you were looking for and now want to speak to the supervisor. Yes, really. The call center people have to do that.
Where does one learn to complain? Taking courses is a waste of money; only practice, practice, practice helps. It's best to start with small things where it doesn't matter if you don't achieve your goal. If there's a call on the phone bill for a few cents and you're sure you've never made that call, you call the phone company. Personally, I regularly call sloppy companies that don't process my mailed-in rebates on time. It costs me nothing (they all have a 1-800 number), and I improve my negotiation skills as if with an expensive trainer (of course, I'm already pretty good, but there's always more to learn). As always, the rule is: firm but friendly. Don't crack jokes; instead, be humorless and meticulous.
If it turns out that you have been led by the nose, it is time to file a complaint with public authorities. This may sound completely crazy to you now, but it is actually common to file a complaint with the "State Attorney General" of the respective state in these cases. The website of the National Association of Attorneys General" lists the contact addresses.
Furthermore, there are consumer protection associations at the city, county, or state level that focus on consumer complaints.
Another possibility is the "Better Business Bureau", a consumer protection organization with quite a lot of influence. Many companies are members and commit to working with the organization, which acts as a mediator in disputes with customers, to reach a solution. But even companies that are not members fear the Better Business Bureau, because no one wants to be on the organization's blacklist. Another website is ripoffreport.com, where one can vent their frustration and warn others about fraudulent companies.
If nothing else helps and a lot of money is at stake, the only option is to hire a lawyer and initiate legal proceedings. However, this is very expensive in the USA, and that's why for 'small claims' between $1,500 and $25,000, there is the so-called Small Claims Court, which, depending on the state, processes cases in an expedited manner. For larger cases, you can visit the website of the "American Bar Association", to find a professional lawyer. ("Bar" here refers to the bar exam required for lawyers, not an establishment for alcohol consumption, in case you were wondering).