Customer Service Information |
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At the Carwash; The Customer really is always Right
You have no doubt heard the saying that the customer is always right. When you are a customer you happy with this position, when you are the owner of a small business, sometimes you see this is like opening Pandora's box. But for the sake of argument, let me add a caveat to that saying: "The customer is always right, even when they're wrong and you know it." After 27 years in the car wash and cleaning industry, I have heard it all. Here are some ways carwashes can mitigate upset customers. Handling Complaints When you handle a complaint, you need to treat the customer as though they are in the right for expressing their opinion, and since you are taking their money, they have every right to complain. You can handle these complaints by simply listening to what it is they have to say and offering suggestions as to how the problem can be fixed. Often fixing the problem might be very easy. Drips from a door jam or a streaked window is easily handled, and we've already suggested solutions and ideas to help that customer return with their business. If you don't think you can fix the problem (for whatever reason), you can have them call the owner and let them handle any situation, and help mediate or settle any problem that might have occurred. This will not change their attitude towards the manager or employee, every business man knows you cannot please everyone. Some customers just like to complain and a little empathy goes a long way. Removing A Customer If a customer continually complains, and you've given them free car washes, discounts, and just about everything within your power, the next step is to give them a business card or referral to the most expensive car wash or detail shop in the area and say "I'm sorry, we're just unable to please you." Let them learn for themselves just how valuable and affordable your service is to them. They may be sorry for complaining and come back, but in the meantime you'll have removed them from your database and saved yourself weeks of problems. As well as eliminated an irate and irrational customer from tainting your image in front of your more decent clientele. Bad Checks Occasionally, maybe once a week, someone will write you a bad check. Usually it's under thirty dollars, and they'll really be embarrassed. The best thing, of course, is not to confront the customer in front of others. Never say to someone "You wrote me a bad check" in front of their co-workers or even people they do not know. This will embarrass your customer. Simply mail the bad check back to the person who wrote it and request to be paid in cash the next time you see them. If it's a customer you've never seen before and think you never will again, mail it back to them and ask them to write another check 'now that your funds may be more sufficient.' We've found this to be the easiest way to handle a touchy situation. They'll usually feel bad and mail you the money back. If they don't, don't worry about it, just write it off and go on with being the best car wash company in the world. If a person seems to write bad checks consistently you should, of course, politely suggest to that person that business should be done on a cash-only basis. Remember the customer is always right and they need to know that you know that, so show empathy and understanding and make them feel that you respect them and want their business at your carwash. Think about it. "Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs
MORE RESOURCES: 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) Poll workers emphasize election confidence, customer service • Indiana Capital Chronicle Indiana Capital Chronicle T-Mobile implementing AI-powered tools for better customer service Android Headlines The Marriott Maze: Navigating Customer Service Over $11, When Does It Stop Being Worth It? View from the Wing The article discusses the use of chatbots in the self-storage industry, including how to implement the technology and ... Inside Self-Storage Bank of Ireland to invest €34m in customer service improvements The Irish Times Oracle Leverages AI to Boost Sales Performance and Empower Service Agents Acceleration Economy The correct airline customer service numbers to help avoid scams 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 Welcome to Riverside Public Utilities City of Riverside (.gov) Poll workers emphasize election confidence, customer service | News | chronicle-tribune.com Chronicle-Tribune Andreas & Sons values customer service above all else WGN Radio - Chicago 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 Will AI customer service kill the call centre? Tech Monitor Buccaneers Continue to Excel in Season Pass Member Customer Service Experience, Voted No. 1 for Sixth ... Buccaneers.com Billing and Insurance WellSpan Health 2023 Tax Filing: IRS Improved Customer Service, but Could Further Improve Processing and Evaluate Expedited Hiring Government Accountability Office Excellent customer service in Austin, Texas, indicative of nationwide survey Transportation Security Administration What is the future of customer service in an automated world? Inside Retail Asia Porsche claims first place for customer service among premium car owners in J.D. Power Study Porsche Newsroom 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 Klarna says its AI assistant does the work of 700 people after it laid off 700 people - Fast Company Reducing Retail Loss through Customer Service—and Other Strategies Loss Prevention Magazine Chick-fil-A Ranks #1 for Customer Service—But Another Brand Is Nipping At Its Heels Eat This, Not That Above & Beyond — Individuals that provide outstanding customer service | AIN Aviation International News Utility Billing The City of Vancouver, WA U.S. Passports - Recreation & Wellbeing University of California, Berkeley Services | Polk County Waste and Recycling Polk County Government How does the Direct Express ® card work? U.S. Department of the Treasury (.gov) Creating Customer Service Bots That People Don't Hate HBR.org Daily Human Interaction in Customer Service Still Preferred Despite Technology Innovations, New Research Finds Yahoo Finance Reyers shoe store honored for customer service Mahoning Matters Mayor prioritizes schools, neighborhoods, transportation, customer service in Capital Spending Plan Nashville.gov How to reach airline customer service quickly The Points Guy |
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