There are four possible outcomes to the complaint resolution process, which are described by the complaint status: Pending, Resolved, Stalemate and Penalty Box. The outcomes are described below.
Pending: The complaint is currently in process. No final outcome has been determined.
Resolved: The complaint is closed as Resolved because the service company has met the member's request for resolution to the complaint (as outlined on the complaint resolution process complaint form).
Stalemate: The complaint is closed as a Stalemate because the service company has responded to the member's request for resolution, but they have declined to fulfill the member's requirements for resolution. In some cases, the service company may have provided a counteroffer that the member has declined.
Penalty Box: Companies can be put into the Penalty Box for three reasons. Either they have declined to respond to our letter; they didn't use the official form for their response; or they initially responded and indicated they'd resolve the issue and then failed to follow through with their promise. In such cases, they are placed in the Penalty Box of our magazine for three months and will no longer be available to our members in a category search until they've responded to the complaint. At any time, they can be taken out of the Penalty Box if they do respond to the complaint. Because of space and production schedule restrictions, complaints don't usually show in the Penalty Box section of our magazine until several months after the deadline for responding has passed.