How to Show Your Customers that You Care

Lois Ryan
Customer service is essential for any business, whether it is a sole proprietorship or a major corporation. If a customer is not satisfied with a recent purchase they made, they want to be treated in a decent way. When individuals practice poor customer service- where they make individuals feel worthless- the customer will use another business to purchase products and services. If you are a store owner, you must show the customer that you care. They are several ways that you can do to show that you do care.

The main thing that you must do is to communicate with them. Even if they have no issues with your product you must find out if they are satisfied. A simple way is to have them join a mailing list when they make a purchase. Have them provide their address and phone number. Shortly after they make a purchase, call them and see how they feel about the product. If the customer makes multiple purchases, it is not necessary to call them each time. Not only is it not necessary, the customer may find it to be annoying. A few times throughout the year should be sufficient.

Always make sure that you or another employee is available to handle consumer complaints. There is nothing more frustrating when a customer wants a refund for a defective product and there is nobody available at the customer service counter. These individuals have too much to do in a twenty-four hour day and would rather take care of business in a quick and simple way. This is also true when a customer has traveled a great distance to your store and cannot find a phone number to call about an issue. Always make sure that at least one employee is at the customer service counter. If you notice that there is a growing line of dissatisfied customers provide more assistance there. If there is a delay to replace a product or refund the customer, apologize for the delay and offer a discount on their next purchase. Always provide a phone number for customers to call if they are unable to return to the store.

Always acknowledge your customers. Greet them with a friendly smile when they first enter the doors of your store. Ask them if there is anything specific that they are looking for. If you have a mailing list, always mail out fliers telling them about up coming specials or new products. It would not hurt to include your customers on your Christmas card list.

Include incentive programs for your customers. For example, you can give your customers a discount off a purchase if they spend so much money in your store.

Always look for new ways to improve customer service. Just like using quality control to make sure there are no defects in a product, it can also be used to make sure that customers are getting the service that they deserve. If you see one of your employees, for example, not treating a customer decently, make corrective actions. By showing the customers that you care will help build a consumer relationship.

Published by Lois Ryan

I have wiorked in the manufacturing business for over 15 years. I am married and have two daughters ages 12 and 14. I recently graduated with a Masters in Business from the University of Phoenix and want t...  View profile

1 Comments

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  • Phoenix11/5/2010

    Just noticed you went to UofP for your Masters, so you should definitely check out this article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5945350/the_university_of_nonexistence_.html?cat=4

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