Customer Service Information |
|
Customer Service Tips for Mail Order Businesses
Can we be too good to our customers? No way! Our customers are the backbone of our business! They're right no matter what! But I'm sorry to disagree with you. As small, honest and legitimate businesses - we have a tendency to place our product quality above money. While this is the "right" way of building a strong, solid business; there are customers that will try to take advantage of you. You have to learn how to notice this possibility coming and "bow out gracefully" without losing the customer. But because we are honest people who place our product ABOVE money we sometimes let people walk all over us. In fact - a mail order buddy of mine (who distributes shareware computer disks) is normally so happy when she gets an order that she gives the customer almost 10 times more than what they pay for. She is so excited about keeping a customer that she goes overboard to make them happy. Unfortunately, a lot of people will take advantage of this situation. They think, "Hey, if I can get this much for hardly nothing, I'll see how much more they'll give me. Look at all the "freebies" I could get and all the money I could save." They'll lose respect for you. However, this line of thinking is only short term. Sure, as a customer, you might get some more free stuff with the next order, but pretty soon the business owner will realize what's going on. Then you'll lose that business contact forever! I can still recall the people who ripped me off before and I would NEVER do business with them again! This is a sad situation! As a dealer, you can learn to give your customers what they pay for. Another friend of mine was so stunned by landing an on-going, monthly publication that she promised the customer "the moon" without even having to do so. When she lived up to all her promises she ended up paying $215 out of her own pocket to publish each issue. Of course, she had to cancel her contract forever - which is "bad business." In mail order we all have the ability to make ourselves look "richer" than we really are. We can work co-op deals with other people to barter and trade for things we don't have and could never pay for. Then, when orders are filled professionally, the customer suddenly thinks the mail order dealer has a lot of money to spread around and can afford to lose a few dollars on them. If a customer does not send the correct amount for you to fill his or her order - simply write them a nice letter explaining that they did not enclose the proper amount. Send them an invoice showing the amount they still owe and bill them before filling the order. If someone calls you up on the phone and talks a "good" sales pitch (with the intention of getting you to fill their order before they pay you)kindly explain that your company policy is to receive payment first since they are a new customer. No other explanation is necessary. However, don't go overboard and get crazy. If a new customer forgets to enclose a stamp, go ahead and send them information. It's silly to waste another stamp yourself to tell them to send a stamp. And not filling the order is also crazy. If the customer cared enough to write in the first place, you at least owe them a response. Besides, it might bring a big order. Don't get hung-up over a stamp! Some dealers refuse to take personal checks because they are afraid they will bounce. Again - this is not good customer service since it's a lot of trouble to buy a money order when most people have checking accounts. This line of thinking will cost you lots of lost orders. However, you can hold the check for clearance before you fill the order if the amount is over $25. Use common sense and you'll make it! Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
MORE RESOURCES: GenAI Can Help Companies Do More with Customer Feedback HBR.org Daily How AI can enhance customer service The Keyword | Google Product and Technology News Opinion: If it's not dead already, customer service is certainly on life support • Asheville Watchdog Asheville Watchdog Frequently asked questions and customer service CSPI Newsroom Customer Service & Support Hillsborough County (.gov) HubSpot debuts new AI-powered marketing and customer service tools SiliconANGLE News T-Mobile Delivers Industry-Leading Customer, Service Revenue and Profitability Growth in Q1 2024, and Raises 2024 ... Yahoo Finance A Customer Service Adventure: Customer Service: It's Everybody's Business | Calendar City of Glendale, CA (.gov) T-Mobile implementing AI-powered tools for better customer service Android Headlines Poll workers emphasize election confidence, customer service • Indiana Capital Chronicle Indiana Capital Chronicle The Marriott Maze: Navigating Customer Service Over $11, When Does It Stop Being Worth It? View from the Wing Top AI Tools to Improve Your Customer Experience Spiceworks News and Insights The article discusses the use of chatbots in the self-storage industry, including how to implement the technology and ... Inside Self-Storage Oracle Leverages AI to Boost Sales Performance and Empower Service Agents Acceleration Economy Rebuilding the IRS Improves Customer Service and Reduces the Tax Gap Center For American Progress The correct airline customer service numbers to help avoid scams - The Washington Post The Washington Post What Your Business Can Learn From Southwest Airlines Business.com Secrets of Great Customer Service News Channel Nebraska How did customer service get so bad? Financial Times Citizen First Customer Service City of Lynchburg Bank of Ireland announces €34m customer service investment SiliconRepublic.com Welcome to Riverside Public Utilities City of Riverside (.gov) Andreas & Sons values customer service above all else WGN Radio - Chicago Gov't offices giving better customer service? BVI News Online Customer Support GE Aerospace Social media customer service statistics to know in 2024 Sprout Social MTA opens spring customer service survey to hear from New Yorkers PIX11 New York News Contact SEA Customer Care portseattle.org AI is replacing customer service jobs across the globe The Washington Post Forbes Recognizes Regions Bank for Best Customer Service Regions Financial Corporation Best Customer Service 2024 Forbes Customer Service Center - Recreation & Wellbeing University of California, Berkeley Is Consumer Services a Good Career Path? | Careers | U.S. News U.S. News & World Report Buccaneers Continue to Excel in Season Pass Member Customer Service Experience, Voted No. 1 for Sixth ... Buccaneers.com Billing and Insurance WellSpan Health Will AI customer service kill the call centre? Tech Monitor 2023 Tax Filing: IRS Improved Customer Service, but Could Further Improve Processing and Evaluate Expedited Hiring Government Accountability Office Klarna CEO says AI can do the job of 700 workers. But job replacement isn't the biggest issue. CBS News Excellent customer service in Austin, Texas, indicative of nationwide survey Transportation Security Administration Porsche claims first place for customer service among premium car owners in J.D. Power Study Porsche Newsroom What is the future of customer service in an automated world? Inside Retail Asia CFPB Issues Guidance to Halt Large Banks from Charging Illegal Junk Fees for Basic Customer Service Consumer Financial Protection Bureau DPW Wants to Know the Material of Your Water Service Line Baltimore City Department of Public Works Spectrum Mobile Ranked #1 in Customer Service by J.D. Power | Charter Charter Communications Klarna says its AI assistant does the work of 700 people after it laid off 700 people - Fast Company New customer service managers appointed to Vicksburg, Pearl, Greenville and Brookhaven areas Entergy Newsroom Chick-fil-A Ranks #1 for Customer Service—But Another Brand Is Nipping At Its Heels Eat This, Not That Utility Billing The City of Vancouver, WA Utilities Rates – City of Palo Alto, CA City of Palo Alto Above & Beyond — Individuals that provide outstanding customer service | AIN Aviation International News |
RELATED ARTICLES
Raising The Bar For Online Magazine Subscription Services And Customer Service After years of flying below the radar in the magazine subscription service arena online, MagMall.com is gaining traction real fast. The Number 1 Rule for Businesses - Be Professional Have you ever walked into a store and things looked sloppy? Stores should have nice neat displays, right? Normally, yes, but sometimes they get a bit messy on busy days and we all understand how that can happen.But what if you were to walk into a store as soon as it opened in the morning and the place looked liked it had been ransacked? What would you think?You'd probably think it wasn't very professional-looking. What's in a Name? Different people call their Customers by different names. If they don't have Customers, they have Clients, purchasers, licensees, users, patients, members, franchisees, or buyers. Identify Your Silent Customer Service Message With the growing number of people in every business sector,doing business requires creativity and ingenuity. Theentrepreneur that understands the importance of thinkingdifferently is the entrepreneur that sees their businessesgrowing. Have You Hugged a Customer Today? It all started a couple of weeks ago when a friend asked me if I could scan and print some of her slides. No problem, I said. Whats For Lunch? As an entrepreneur, I'm always intrigued by small businesses, home-based or not, that exceed the expectations of their customers in a big way.Let me tell you about one of them. Why You Should Always Honour Your Guarantees - Even When The Customer Is In The Wrong The Reason Why Direct Internet Marketers Have To Work So Hard To Earn Our TrustA bad attitude to customer service can literally destroy your business.So, I thought I'd share my response to what I read on an Internet Marketing Forum recently to illustrate my point. Provide Exceptional Value - Grow Your Business The primary objective of a business is to get and keep customers. Growing a profitable business requires providing exemplary customer service and products or services of exceptional value. Make Sure You Get The Customer Perspective Businesses that fail, often forget to seek out the customer perspective. I have talked to some folks at businesses that were less than succesful, and when asked if they actively seek out customer comments, the answer invariably is no. Customer Service: Stop Sabotaging Your Customer Relationships If you've called for customer service recently you're familiar with this recorded message "This call may be recorded or monitored for quality purposes." I immediately think to myself, "Oh great, here comes the game of 20 questions. Turning Customer Mistakes Into Raving Fans When you make a mistake with a customer, should you write them off as lost -- never to return again?Nope. There have been numerous studies which show that a customer who has had a problem and gotten it resolved in a timely manner and to their satisfaction is a more loyal customer than one who has never had a problem. Your Voice Print "Mountains are built one pebble at a time and climbed one step at a time." This is a quote of mine that I personally put into practice each day as I progress towards fulfilling my WHY in life. Foolproof Customer Service Strategies (That Only A Fool Would Try!) Ever notice how customer service varies from store to store? You walk into some stores, and before you can say "Buzz off!" a salesperson asks "May I help you?""No thanks.""May I help you?" asks another. Does Your Customer Talk Back To You? What is your customer saying about you? Do you really know? Does your customer really know who you are?If you don't know what your customer thinks about you, your business, your product and your services, then you might as well close shop!A customer is the lifeblood of every business and you must always strive to be in tune with what your customer thinks and how they feel. Don't leave your customers unattended and in the dark. Aint We Wonderful! It may come as a surprise to you to discover that customers don't buy your products or services because they feel that you have a right to make a profit. In other words, their motive for doing business with you is not to help you buy the latest Jaguar or put your children through college. Should I Have My Company Mystery Shopped? I wish I had a nickel for every time someone said to me, "Oh, you do Mystery Shopping; I always wanted to do that!" I think most people do find the thought of posing as a customer and reporting back on how they were treated, rather intriguing. But there is a lot more to it that skulking around in a trench coat and spy glass!I believe most companies have taken the plunge and decided that it really is important to conduct frequent "mystery or secret shops" of their businesses. Customer No Service - How to Lose a Loyal Customer! So today was the day where I almost stopped going to my favorite supermarket here in Milwaukee. If you're in Milwaukee, you know the one I'm talking about: the cool one downtown that has 1000 different types of produce, and a whole aisle dedicated to gourmet coffee and teas. Customers Who Rave About You and Your Service According to customer service studies by marketing gurus of the world, here are the following qualities, which must be present in your life and your business in order to develop raving fan customers who are not just satisfied but completely loyal to you over the long haul.1. Becoming A Solution To Your Customers Problems Those of us in home based and small businesses are in effect selling our product. So becoming an effective salesperson is very important. Customer Service Consultants When all else fails in your company to meet the needs of your customer consider a customer service consultant. If you find that agents in your company are constantly having misunderstanding that result in loss of customers bring in a consultant. |
home | site map |
© 2006 |