I Am Your Customer… Treat Me Right!

I am a pretty demanding customer. I think that there are many people out there who are willing to accept less from their vendors. In some cases, I think they are willing to accept less because they are pleased with the low cost. However, I think that most people don't expect better service because they have been conditioned to accept mediocrity.

While I don't believe in a "customer bill of rights" because I think that it is an easy thing to say and forget, I believe in good customer service policies that positively affect the customer experience.

1. I know I am not your only customer, but talk to me like I am as often as possible. When I am talking to you, don't answer the phone, don't talk to other employees unless you are asking them for me and don't walk away from me.
2. Provide me various methods of communication. Sometimes I want to talk face to face. Sometimes I want to talk on the phone. Usually, I want to email or text message. Since I am paying you for your service, please communicate with me the way I want.
3. Don't think I am too stupid to realize that you need to make a profit. I know you need to make a reasonable profit. It is how you stay in business. If you can't do it for my price, be honest and tell me so.
4. Don't hide the price so that I'll "call for more details." When I am shopping, I want to know if I can afford something very quickly. If I want a ballpark figure, surely you know what the average sale is going to be. Just tell me when I ask.
5. Recognize that I have likely done research. Ask me how much I know and never assume my knowledge level. If you assume too much, you'll talk over my head. If you assume too little, you'll talk down to me.
6. Clean up a little. Clean your bathrooms and your windows. Organize your shelves. Shave. Comb your hair. Respect yourself so that I know you can respect me.
7. Don't answer the phone with such a long introduction. I don't usually call wondering why I am calling. It is annoying when I have to hear, "Thank you for calling Bob's Pizzeria. Are you calling about our $9.99 pizza special where you can get all the toppings you want and a cold drink for $9.99." When, "Thank you for calling Bob's Pizzeria" will do.
8. If I am obviously the next person in line, don't ask, "May I help the next person?" Ask, instead, "Hello, how can I help you?"
9. Don't try and throw the wool over my eyes. I am educated and I understand things. I am smart enough to ask when I don't understand something. If I don't want to give you my budget it is because I have been screwed too many times by dumb sales people. You tell me what you can do and I'll let you know if it fits my budget.
10. Go out of your way to be nice to everyone. Don't be fake. Don't talk bad about other employees or other customers to me. I can't trust that you'll be nice to me when my back is turned if you aren't nice about others.