Want Good Customer Service? Be A Good Customer!

The customer is always right, right? As someone who has personally been a customer I cry, "Hell Yes! I am always right and who wants to tell me otherwise?" Now as I stand in line and watch other customers I can easily say, "What the hell is wrong with that idiot. Doesn't he know that he is holding everyone in line hostage with his stupid rant about how unfair Company Inc. has treated him. I need to get these pencil erasers and get out of here because I left my iPod unattended." Finally, as a customer service provider over the past eighteen years I can say, without any doubt in my mind, "Hell No! The customer thinks that they are always right but in few occasions couldn't be more wrong."

Whenever you walk into a business you wield incredible power in determining the future of that business. I don't need to tell you that the only reason why a business cares about serving you is that you are going to thank them for that service by giving up your hard earned cash. Therefore, your money is the most effective way to tell a business that you appreciate their treatment of you. Luckily we live in a society where when we don't approve of the service you received then we can take our money to a competitor. For that reason I offer these tips on how to be a good customer and insure good customer service anywhere you go.

1. Be Calm and Courteous
-No matter what the problem may be you will always get the best results when you are nice to the person helping you. The golden rule always applies, treat them as you would like to be treated.

2. Remove the emotion
-Wait until you have had the opportunity to calm down and think about the situation. Getting mad does nothing but create tension and puts people on the defensive. You are more likely to get what you want if you are respectful of the person you are talking to.

3. Prepare your complaint and know exactly what will make everything right.
-Know that every company has policies in place to protect their bottom line. Not everyone is honest and this is the reason why these policies exist. Ninety percent of all business policy can be overlooked in the interest of customer service, but don't get mad when policy is quoted to you. They do this to help avoid having the same problem occur in the future.

4. Know who to complain to.
-Many times we complain to someone that lacks the authority or power to resolve your complaint. If you were charged the wrong amount for something then any courtesy clerk or manager should be able to help you, but if you are unhappy with how much something costs then you probably should direct your complaint to the corporate office.

5. Don't threaten any action other than no longer being a patron.
-Again, this is the best vote for how successful a company is.

6. Speak to your own experience.
-Don't speak for others. As a provider I rarely care if you have a friend that is unhappy with service they have received. I am not dealing with them and therefore have no way of making their experience right. Since you have taken your time to address a concern then I will do what I can to make sure you are happy. By doing this I hope that you are able to tell your friend that your experience was a positive one.

7. If you get what you want let it go.
-Many people like to continue to complain about the problem even if they get what they were looking for. This is the equivalent of being a bad winner. Nobody likes the guy who bad mouths the other team after sending them off the field in defeat. Be classy and give credit where credit is due.

8. If you don't get what you want move up the ladder.
-If your request is reasonable then someone eventually will give you what you are looking for. Just be persistent.

9. You are not above the person you are talking to.
-You are not better than the clerk just because they work for less money than you or they wear a name tag. Age and sex is not the best indicator of maturity. Everyone deserves the respect that you yourself demand everyday.

10. BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS.
-Companies are not in business to pay for your mistakes. If you failed to see the correct price or didn't see the clearly posted sign explaining a current promotion, it's okay. Everyone makes mistakes. Don't yell at the clerk because of your mistake.

I hope you found these to be helpful. Whether in person or on the phone your should keep these in mind. Above anything else remember to be the bigger person. Treat everyone as you want to be treated and if they treat you poorly don't drop to their level. Remember you can always move your complaint to the next level or you can just take your business elsewhere.