Customer Complaint Policy

This Customer Complaint Policy aims to:

• Provide a framework for Bloom Hearing Specialist employees to work with when handling Complaints from Customers
• Ensure consistency within the Bloom Hearing Specialist in handling and resolving Complaints from Customers and
• Support our commitment to provide quality products, services, and customer

The bloom Hearing Specialist defines the term complaint as any expression of dissatisfaction or grievance made to any employee within the group by a Customer or member of the public with any product, service or conduct of ours.

Our objective is to resolve majority of inquiries and complaints during the customer’s first call/interaction. Our Hearing Care Coordinators and clinicians have the training and authority to deal with most of the problems or inquiries, which customers may have “on the spot”. Senior Management will stand behind agreements reached with customers by our Hearing Care Coordinators and Clinicians.

It may not always be possible to resolve a complaint on the first instance. Our objective is that complaints that cannot be resolved during the first instance will be resolved within time frames agreed with the customer.

We are committed to continuous improvement of our customer service delivery. We recognise the opportunity afforded us to improve when a customer or member of the general public lodges a complaint.

All Bloom Hearing Specialist employees are charged with the responsibility to provide reasonable information and assistance to ensure that complaints are lodged effectively using our Customer Relationship system.

Providing customers with easy access and a point of contact to lodge a complaint is a fundamental element of our overall complaint policy. Complaints may be lodged by:

• Customer Feedback webform
• Phone on 0800 522 422
• Email to info@bloomhearing.co.nz
• Post to PO BOX 46-323, Herne Bay, Auckland City, 1010, New Zealand

Complaints will be acknowledged, and customers provided with a timeframe in that the complaint will be handled.

The Customer Complaint Policy is available for all staff and customers to view and download from the bloom hearing specialists website.

This Policy will be reviewed and monitored on a regular basis to ensure it remains current and practical to bloom hearing specialists.

A person wishing to make a complaint may do so in writing or verbally to:

• the staff member they were dealing with at the time unless you are making a complaint about this person
• Country Manager of Retail NZ
• the Chief Executive Officer, or
• via Customer Feedback form
• Phone on 0800 522 422
• Email to info@bloomhearing.co.nz
• Post to Post to PO BOX 46-323, Herne Bay, Auckland City, 1010

If the complaint is about:

• a product or service delivered by bloom Hearing Specialists, then the complaint will normally be dealt with by the relevant manager
• a staff member, then the complaint will normally be dealt with by the relevant manager
• a senior staff member, the complaint will normally be dealt with by the CEO

The person managing the complaint will be responsible for:

1. Registering the complaint:

   • registering the complaint in the bloom hearing specialists complaints register

   • informing the complainant that their complaint has been received and providing them with information about the process and time frame within 3 business days
2. Investigating the complaint:
   • examining the complaint within 5 working days of the complaint being received
   • informing the complainant by letter within 10 working days of the complaint being received of what is being done to investigate and resolve it, and the expected timeframe for resolution.
   • As far as possible, complaints or appeals will be investigated and resolved within 20 working days of being received. If this time frame cannot be met, the complainant will be informed of the reasons why and of the amended time frame for resolution.
3. Resolving the complaint
   • making a decision or referring to the appropriate people for a decision within 20 working days of the complaint being received
   • Informing the complainant of the outcome and any options for further action if required
4. What if I am unhappy with the resolution?
   • If you are not happy with the outcomes of a complaint, you may be able to lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman in your state. The Ombudsman’s office will determine if it has the power to investigate your complaint

A register of complaints will be kept by bloom Hearing. The register will be maintained by the Country Manager of Retail NZ and will record the following for each complaint:

• Details of the complainant and the nature of the complaint
• Date lodged
• Investigation details
• Action taken
• An indication of the complainant being notified of the outcome
• Complainant response and any further action

Copies of all correspondence and other materials received by Bloom Hearing in connection with any complaints will be kept for the required periods.