Unscrewed: The Consumer's Guide to Getting What You Paid for

By Ron Burley

Every four seconds an unsuspecting consumer is duped by a cable company, cell phone provider, auto repair shop, or one of the numerous other businesses we use on a daily basis. As customer service... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580087620
• ISBN13: 9781580087629
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Problem-Solvers Anonymous

If you don't like conflict, but refuse to be a doormat for businesses, check out this solution. You may even sleep better at night.

Highly recommended for any and all consumers!

I read about this book in USA Today. They called Ron Burley's techniques "ingenious." After reading it, I agree. All the way through, Burley takes the high road. He insists that you must be in the right and that you must never scream, yell or threaten. This is problem solving for all of us who are conflict avoidant. Burley's simple techniques leverage a consumer's right of free speech to get us what we paid for. Despite the quiet approach, it really works. I had been chasing a bad charge on my cell phone bill for two months. Just using the techniques outlined in the book, I was able to get the cell phone company to see my way in less than fifteen minutes and credit my account. Burley has put together a method for all of us normal people to level the playing field when dealing with businesses that try to take advantage of us. His tips on how to totally sidestep voicemail are worth the price of the book on their own. There are at least a dozen true stories - funny and informative - of how normal people emerged victorious against corporate goliaths. I particularly loved how he sidestepped the whole contractor lien thing. Spending no money and little time, he cleverly pointed out to a contractor that liens are incredibly bad publicity for someone who wants to attract new customers. I won't tell you the whole story. It's really funny. You'll have to read it for yourself. This book is a great public service. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially as a gift to any of those poor souls who always seem to fall victim to uncaring companies.

Thank You

I am a 77 year old widow and often times I feel I am all alone in the world, but Ron Burley has made me feel sure and secure. I no longer have to worry if I am getting a raw deal, whether I am dealing with my cell phone company or at the doctor's. Thank you Ron Burley. You truly are my hero!

No Need to Unscrew Buying this Book!

I was required to read this book for my college english class (CCCC 1301!), and after picking it up I gained a world of insight into the minds and absolute realities of customer service departments. I feel confident that if I need to change a screwed situation in my life, I can. Ron Burley is a genius. He shares his own life situations in which he used the Unscrewed technique to solve issues he faced based on personal experimentation. He remains courteous throughout explaining the process, as well as "just a little bit Jack" to give him the proper edge for accomplishing his goals. Ron Burley is a well-grounded leading example of getting what is expected, and not settling for anything less. GO RON! IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY! AND MINE! 'CAUSE YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO WIN!

Power to the Consumer!

Ron Burley takes you on a tour through his trials of being stepped on by large corporations as well as the local tire salesman. Through doing the right thing, and sometimes the wrong thing, Burley learned how to get not what he deserved, but what he paid for. This is an excellent treatise on the sad state of customer service today, and what we can do about it. Highly recommended!