Debra's Blog

The Customer is Always Right ... or are they?

Debra Templar-Group - Saturday, August 29, 2009
The slogan that causes retailers the most grief is the one about the customer always being right.
   
   

I meet retailers who are so frustrated by that statement.

There you stand with a customer swearing that the jumper they bought last week was one size but by the time they got it home andput it on their child the garment had changed size.  You want to tell the customer that it couldn't possibly have happened but you know from the slogan that the customer is always right. 
You just can't bring yourself to say how sorry you are for stocking such rubbish.

How about the situation where you warned the customer not to freeze the garlic break because it was best eaten fresh but they did it anyway and now there they are telling you that you make lousy garlic bread.  Youw ant to tell them they are stupid but then you remember that the customer is always rightThe words stick in your throuat and you just can't apologies for being a lousy baker.

And there there's the day that a customer pops in unannounced and wants their hair done right away declaring that she has an appointment this time ever month.  You know she is wrong and yet you know you are supposed to say she is rightYou split in half, dumbfounded at the idea.

And what about a thousand other instances where the customer is just plain outright clear-as-day W.R.O.N.G?  How can you go along with the
'The customer is always right?'

Let me get you off the hook.

Erase that slogan from your memory banks and replace it with:
"The Customer is Always First".

Or for those who like to split hairs and ascribe to the view that their sales team members are always first -
"The Customer is a Top Priority".

You need neither agree nor disagree with the customer who is wrong.

You can, in fact, ignore the whole topic.  This kind of thinking lets you focus on the solution.  Who is right or who is wrong is no longer important.  Your suggestion about settling the matter becomes the only issue in your mind so you keep this customer's money coming into your business.

Worry less about who is right and who is wrong.  Just get the problem fixed.

 

      

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   Over the past 20 something years I have gained many skills and worked with fabulous people! I am a retail enthusiast, keynote speaker, consultant and business coach, trainer, author and 'doer'.

Feel welcome to share my blogposts with your readers, colleagues and customers. I'd be grateful if you would acknowledge me as: Debra Templar,
www.thetemplargroup.com.au and send me a link to the article online (which I will link to) or a copy of your publication or pdf.


Debra Templar
The Templar Group
38 Uvadale Grove
Kew, Vic.  3101
Australia

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www.thetemplargroup.com.au
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