Tweet

Is the customer always right?

Written by: Trent Leyshan

Article Overview: There is a power in being wrong, it demonstrates you're endowed with substance and character, certainly enough, to not indulge in the delusion of being perfect. Let's be honest, we all make mistakes, of course we do, some big and some small, but still all.

Is the customer always right?

You better believe it! Does it really matter if you're right? Yes it does, but not at the expense of making your customers wrong.

If I had to choose between being right or being wrong and helping a customer see my problem as their opportunity - I would be wrong every time.

There is a power in being wrong, it demonstrates you're endowed with substance and character, certainly enough, to not indulge in the delusion of being perfect. Let's be honest, we all make mistakes, of course we do, some big and some small, but still all.

It takes a strong woman to admit when she is wrong, particular if her reputation or millions of dollars is riding on being right. Don't pretend you're perfect, cause no one is.

When you're right and your customer is blatantly wrong, don't use this opportunity to highlight their humility, instead choose to take the higher ground (empathy) and make sure you transcend their wrong into a right that works for both parties. 

If you make a customer wrong, make not mistake -  everyone loses. You lose their patronage (yes, they will leave in the persuit of being right) and they lose your ability fulfil their needs and aspirations. 

Remember, two wrongs can indeed make a right, but it takes empathy and a willingness to see customer challenges from a different perspective.

Related Articles
  Extraordinary Customer Service: Where Does It Begin?
  How to use customer incentives to dramatically increase customer loyalty
  How to build customer loyalty
  Tips for Improving Customer Service
  100 Ways to Succeed #85

Article Tags: aspirations, customer challenges, delusion, different perspective, empathy, higher ground, humility, mistake, patronage, persuit, reputation, strong woman, two wrongs, willingness



Related Forum Posts
Re: Politeness! - I sometimes find that people these days will actually go out of their way to be rude when filing a complaint. For instance, why can't a customer just say a simple "no thank you" rather than writing in an angry tone or making threats? Of course the customer is always right, so as professionals we have to suck it in and be the bigger person... but is there a better way to deal with rude clients? When I used to work at McDonald's, I recall the store manager actually yelled back at the customer who shouted profanities at a teenage employee since the order was taking so long. While the store manager didn't use any vulgar language, he still firmly told the customer to leave the store because he wouldn't serve someone who was so rude.
Starting A Business - go get a customer! you can have a great idea but if you don't have a customer you'll never be successful. Build a product / service around someone who will pay you for what you can offer! It's the best way to build a business.
Re: Politeness! - [quote="Kevin":2sd46jnv]I sometimes find that people these days will actually go out of their way to be rude when filing a complaint. For instance, why can't a customer just say a simple "no thank you" rather than writing in an angry tone or making threats? Of course the customer is always right, so as professionals we have to suck it in and be the bigger person... but is there a better way to deal with rude clients? When I used to work at McDonald's, I recall the store manager actually yelled back at the customer who shouted profanities at a teenage employee since the order was taking so long. While the store manager didn't use any vulgar language, he still firmly told the customer to leave the store because he wouldn't serve someone who was so rude.[/quote:2sd46jnv] I think that this is the right thing to do. Nobody should have to put up with rudeness or abuse even by a customer. If the customer cannot behave in a decent manner, I would quietly tell them that until they can treat me with respect I would prefer not to deal with them. I have been in that position and will not allow anyone to behave badly to me. In fact people will only behave badly towards you if you allow it. MichelleJ
Important tips for online business - 1.Traffic. Without traffic, you have nothing. It is like having a store where nobody walks through the door. Without traffic, there is none to buy your product. 2. Your Sales Letter. This is where you sell your product. It is of vital importance that you have a sales letter that converts, and you should work on it continuously to increase conversion. Otherwise those prospects that you have got to your website will just leave and go somewhere else. 3. Your list! You should continuously be trying to build your list and your network. It is easier to convert a qualified prospect into a customer, and an existing customer in to a repeat customer. Hope this helps guys!
Re: Get Improved Sales Optimization - Great Information Jason! As per the online business perspective, every user looking for relevant information and user friendly website structure. You can also provide 24hr customer support to make your customer reliable and easy.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

How Many Buckets Do You Need for Retirement?

10 Steps to Excelling at Franchise Sales

The Golden Rule of Communications

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.