10 Apology Email Examples and Tips

In this article, you'll find 10 email examples for apologies that have been sent to customers from various companies. Seeing these examples can help you craft your own effective apology emails with confidence and ease.

What should go into apology emails?

A good apology email is sincere and takes full responsibility for the mistake, while also offering a clear plan to rectify the situation. It should be empathetic, acknowledging the customer's feelings and demonstrating a commitment to making things right.

• Subject Line: Keep it straightforward and honest. Examples: "We Apologize for the Inconvenience" or "Our Sincere Apologies."
• Opening Statement: Start with a heartfelt apology. Examples: "We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused" or "Please accept our sincerest apologies."
• Acknowledge the Issue: Clearly state what went wrong. Examples: "We understand that your order was delayed" or "We recognize that our service did not meet your expectations."
• Take Responsibility: Own up to the mistake without making excuses. Examples: "This was our oversight" or "We take full responsibility for this error."
• Offer a Solution: Provide a clear plan to fix the issue. Examples: "We are expediting your order" or "We are offering a full refund."
• Closing Statement: End on a positive note, reaffirming your commitment to the customer. Examples: "Thank you for your understanding" or "We appreciate your patience as we resolve this."

Let's jump into it!

1. OpenTable

OpenTable is a service that allows users to make online reservations at restaurants, connecting diners with restaurants for a seamless booking experience. The apology email titled "Oops, that was embarrassing" is effective because it addresses the mistake in a sincere and transparent manner, demonstrating a commitment to customer satisfaction.

2. DoorDash

DoorDash is a food delivery service that partners with local restaurants to deliver meals to customers' doorsteps. The apology email titled "Whoops! We sent you the wrong email" is effective because it directly addresses the mistake, showing accountability and likely includes a clear explanation of the error, maintaining customer trust and satisfaction.

3. Liquid Death

Liquid Death is a company known for its unique branding and marketing strategies, often characterized by a bold and edgy approach. The public apology email from Liquid Death is effective because it maintains the brand's distinctive voice while clearly addressing the mistake, demonstrating accountability and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

4. Thread

Thread is a company that ships products to customers, and their email titled "There's an Issue with Your Thread Shipment #65005605060056" stands out as an effective apology email. It directly addresses the shipment issue, immediately informing the recipient of the problem and setting the stage for an apology and resolution, which is crucial for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction.

5. Pokémon Center

Pokémon Center is a retail entity associated with the Pokémon franchise, responsible for marketing and selling Pokémon-related merchandise, such as the Pikachu 25th Celebration Skateboard. The company did a good job with this email by providing a clear and engaging update on the product, ensuring transparency and maintaining customer interest.

6. GOBE

GOBE's email titled "Oops, we got a bit excited" stands out for its clear acknowledgment of the mistake and its sincere tone. The email is a good example of how to maintain customer trust by addressing the issue directly and offering a heartfelt apology without making excuses.

7. Shipt

Shipt is a delivery service that connects customers with personal shoppers to deliver groceries and essentials. The apology email titled "It’s not deja vu" is effective because it acknowledges the repeated issue, takes responsibility, and reassures customers with a clear plan to prevent future occurrences, thereby maintaining trust and satisfaction.

8. Emma

Emma is an email marketing service known for its user-friendly platform and effective communication strategies. The email titled "Something went wrong today" stands out because it clearly acknowledges the issue, takes responsibility, and offers a solution, which helps in maintaining customer trust and satisfaction.

9. Methodical Coffee

Methodical Coffee's email titled "Retraction On Colombia and our last email" stands out due to its clean and organized design, which ensures the message is clear and easy to read. The use of a straightforward font and a prominent title helps in immediately capturing the reader's attention, while the overall layout maintains a professional and approachable tone, making it an effective communication piece.

10. FilterEasy

FilterEasy is a company that specializes in delivering air filters directly to customers' homes, ensuring clean air and convenience. The email titled "Oops: Someone Hadn’t Had Their Coffee Yet This Morning" stands out as a great apology email due to its light-hearted and relatable subject line, which adds a human touch and makes the apology feel sincere and approachable.

Why you should use Flodesk to help create your emails

With Flodesk, crafting a compelling apology email is a breeze. Its intuitive design tools and beautiful templates empower you to create sincere, visually appealing messages that resonate with your customers, ensuring your apology stands out and rebuilds trust effortlessly.

What is Flodesk

Flodesk is the most intuitive email marketing platform for small businesses, designed to help you grow, nurture, and monetize your email list beautifully. Easily create, send, and automate emails that increase your reach and drive sales—no coding or design experience needed. Trusted by over 100,000 businesses globally, Flodesk offers powerful features without the hassle of complicated tools. Plus, with flat-rate pricing, your costs stay the same no matter how big your list grows.

Email examples sourced from reallygoodemails.com