It seems somewhat appropriate that the first known recorded customer service complaint was with respect to international trade.
A clay tablet is on display at the British Museum dating back to approximately 1750 B.C., almost four thousand years ago.
The tablet records the complaint of a buyer in respect of a shipment of copper ore which, he states, was not only of an inferior grade but also arrived late and was damaged.
The seller had apparently promised to supply fine quality copper ingots in a timely fashion. The seller, who refused to provide a refund, had retained payment.
If only they had used a letter of credit!