How to be a good customer
I'm sure most of you have worked in customer service at one point or another. I worked at a record store for 5 years, and then spent another year in retail. I was good at my job, and I loved the record store most of the time. I also liked most of our customers, but there were occasional times when I wanted to wring someone's neck.
There were the customers who would let their kids race through the store (which usually ended in bruises, or someone crying). There were the customers who would complain to me about the prices. There were the lovely people who would flip out when the debit machine was down. And there was the guy who insisted (very loudly and rudely) that he should be able to return a CD because after listening to it, he didn't like the songs (even though we allowed customers to preview CDs).
Anyways, this all comes to mind because Danté wrote a post about things to remember when you're a customer. Feel free to tell him your pet peeves. Even if you haven't worked in customer service, I'm sure you've seen "those customers" before, and have had to refrain yourself from giving them a smack upside the head.
For those in the service industry who are having a crabby day, the website 'Customers Suck! The Customer is Never Right!' always provides a few laughs. I just noticed that they have a comic strip too, so enjoy!
Technorati tags: retail, customer service, mall, store
Posted in: helpful tips on June 23, 2006
I love the comic. I spent too many years in CS and I think I must have blocked most of the "unplesant customer" memories (I know I had them, I just can't - mercifully - remember what they did). I was left with the conviction that I would never choose jury. If I ever get charged with any crime I will go judge alone. Why? You likely already know, it's just like the comic. On a typical busniess day randomly choose 12 customers as your jury...you know you're bound to end up with a couple of serious idiots;)
On the other side, customer service frequently seems to suck. No one wants to do it and everyone looks down on those who do (which would change if the money was better). Of course, I spent five years in BC where these two things are seriously exagerrated.
Mireille > I agree, customer service at many places is really terrible. The Wal-Mart here in Fredericton is horrible. Make eye contact, people! Smile & say hello, it's not that hard!! I'm always impressed (and grateful!) when I meet a particularly helpful salesperson.
Erin > Hungry people are grumpy. I have great respect for waiters/waitresses. I'd never be able to do it. I don't have a great memory and I'm not extremely coordinated, but I'd also be soooo tempted to 'drop' something in the lap of an asshole customer. :D