The Customer Is Always Right

Now don’t get me wrong, there are times when that customer isn’t right, and you and I know it.

However, it is our job as retailers or business owners to take a moment and actually remember this, as if it were the most important concept to remember – because it is. Customers are our lifeblood and without them, we have no business.

We had better start taking a closer look at how we…and our employees conduct themselves in relation to treating customers like they deserve to be treated. In the 21st century, customers have innumerable options available to them, to buy anything under the sun, from chewing gum, to that shiny new car fresh off the lot.

They can go to the “Mega” stores, Ma & Pa’s discount outlet, or any myriad of places in between. Here is the bottom line: If you want to keep your customers happy, and you want them to spend their time in, and their money on your business, you had better start treating them that way.

Make absolutely certain that you make your business their “business of choice” for their consumer needs. If sales are important to you, then customers are important to you. Do what you have to do, when you have to do it, and for how long you have to do it, to make customers know that they are right.

They are, after all, the reason you stay in business. One more item of note that could be of some use to you in your road towards better customer service - smile once in a while. A warm friendly smile goes a long, long way in customer relations. Even the most irate, difficult, and possibly downright obnoxious customer can be swayed “back to the light” so to speak with a simple sincere smile.

That leads me into my second point to ponder - turning complaints in a challenge.

Next: Turning complaints into a challenge

About the Author

Galen is CEO of the Direct Sales Company Shopping In The South. He has been directly involved with human relations and customer service work for over fifteen years. Possessing a wealth of knowledge in the areas of customer service and hospitality he truly enjoys working with people. To contact him to speak to your group or organization you can reach him at: galen@shoppinginthesouth.com or (803) 322-3162.