We Always Have Perfect Customer Service – NOT!
In all of my businesses, we make mistakes. We spend lots of time and money to make our procedures as efficient and foolproof as possible, but we still make mistakes. So, where do I get off telling people like you that you need to have Exceptional Customer Service?
While nobody likes to be at the receiving end of a mistake, we all know that people make mistakes. Exceptional Customer Service requires that we first person your customer talks to solve the problem?”
Does everyone in your business know how to help an upset customer?
Do your customers know that Exceptional Customer Service is what they should expect from you?
I get a few phone calls each year from customers who don’t think they are getting Exceptional Customer Service from us. Almost all of these calls start with, “I read in your newsletter that customer service is important to you, I don’t think I’m getting very good service…” or “A few months ago when I was on hold I heard that you wanted me to call you if I had a problem that wasn’t being taken care of…” Sure nobody likes getting calls like this but in another way I LOVE GETTING THEM!
What’s the alternative? For most businesses it’s a customer who really doesn’t want the hassle of complaining. The customer who goes to the competition and not only doesn’t recommend you to others, but maybe even bad mouths you. I love customers who give us the opportunity to MAKE THEM HAPPY. Find a way to tell your customers that you want to know if they are not happy.
I stole an idea from Stu Leonard’s Supermarket in Connecticut. He has a big sign with his picture that says, What Do You Like? What Don’t You Like? I’d Like to Know. Every invoice we send out has a flyer that asks the same questions Stu Leonard asks. While it is redundant to send it out with every invoice, we do. I want to be sure that every customer knows that they should expect Exceptional Customer Service and that I want to know if they don’t get it.
Act
The video, In Search of Excellence, says most suggestion boxes get little to no use. They say the reason is customers know that their suggestions will get no action. Stu Leonard’s box is filled, mostly with good comments, every day. Why do people take the time to write? The video says it’s because they know something will be done. If customers take the time to contact you, take the time to let them know what you are doing.
Every customer who writes to us at any of our businesses, whether it’s a good comment or a complaint, gets a response.
You can get my hardcopy book (not an e-book), The Happy Customer Handbook, 59 Secrets to Creating Happy Customers Who Come Back Time and Time Again and Enthusiastically Tell Others About You at www.TheHappyCustomerHandbook.com. Your cost is $2.97 and that includes shipping and handling.
