Sometimes it’s right to complain: an injustice has been done or a minor fraud committed, and it’s important to make a point.
And there’s a pleasure to be had in getting a good deal.
But often the time and energy we spend on hunting refunds and discounts costs us more than they’re worth. A good rule of thumb is to imagine that the equivalent amount of cash is lying on the ground outside, and ask how far you’d be prepared to walk down the street and how many confrontations you’d be prepared to have along the way in order to pick it up.
You might be willing to go further to right a wrong, or if you know you’ll enjoy the walk – just be clear about which one it is, and whether what you’re hoping to gain is really worth it.