The Customer is Always Right - Right?

Most everyone is familiar with the age old saying "the customer is always right." What exactly does this phrase mean, and how do you apply it to customer service?

Obviously, a wooden, literal understanding to this phrase is not how we are to apply it, but it should be taken as a principal, a state of mind. Customers are not always literally "right" but they are always right; a contradiction? Not really.

This is the mindset that should be how every customer is approached. The customer is the life force of a business, treat them as such; you should look at them as the next great opportunity to make someone satisfied with your company. They are more than just your "next sale" - they should be seen as an integral part of your company's "family" (and I don't mean treat them like the in-laws either). Approach them with the attitude that you can and will help them to get what they need in a way that is benecficial to them. Treat them with respect, and do all within your power to handle their request with the utmost courtesy and dignity.

Think about your experience with customer service reps at a business. Have you ever asked for assistance from an employee, only to get that look of disgust like you were really bothering them? Have you ever gotten the ones that are more busy talking to co-workers, playing with their phone, or doing "busy work" to keep from rushing over to assit you? In a customer service position, your job is to service people, meaning they are your top priority. Treat them as such. Listen - seek to understand the issue - and seek to assist as quickly and accurately as you can. Their good experience will keep them coming back time and time again, and that is your ultimate goal.

If you have an extremely unpleasant run-in with one customer, shake it off, and do not carry that negative attitude over to your next customer. Having a "bad day" is no reason to vent, whine, complain or take it out on another customer.

Remember, you are the "face" of your company. How they interact and perceive your attitude, is quite often how they will form their opinions of the company as a whole. Be flexible (within company policies obviously) in order to be as helpful as possible. Go the extra mile.. Let the customer vent if need be, and don't take it personal; especially do not retaliate with an attitude. Be professional, be courteous, stay polite.

Find a job with a company you can take pride in working for; then put on a smile and work for success. If you can't stand your job, then that will reflect on how you handle your customers. For a position in a customer service career, success comes from providing excellent customer service - all the time - every time - to every one. Do you have what it takes for such a position?

I am sure many readers have stories of bad customer service - feel free to share your comments below for everyone to benefit from what NOT to do.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and an avid musician who is active in two local bands. He is also a lover of books, having a large personal library and squeezes in as much reading as often as he can. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Customer Service Jobs blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.