Have you worked in customer service and been so frustrated with how you were treated? Want to know how to be a better customer?
Do you shop somewhere constantly but never take the time to get to know the people who always help you?
I haven’t been working in customer service for a year yet but I find myself wishing that every customer was like that one who made my day. Some days, there isn’t a customer like that.
I find that the best customers are the ones that have been behind the counter or on the other side of the interactions.
Here are five things to pay attention to next time you shop and the best answers for how to be a better customer.
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1. Listen to What Employees Ask/tell You
Shopping can be stressful, especially when you are short on time. But contrary to prior belief, the employees are not just there to serve you. There are so many activities going on behind the scenes that you would never know about. Everyone’s time is important and understanding that is an important answer for how to be a better customer.
So when an employee tells you where something is, ask them to clarify again if you didn’t get it the first time. Or ask if they would show you instead of telling you. It makes things easier for both parties.
If an employee asks you if you need help, take a moment and really think about it. Don’t automatically say no because you don’t want to be bothered and then turn around two minutes later needing help.
Employees want to make your experience great and they want to help you. But if you don’t listen to them, it can be frustrating. It’s like you’re not valuing their time or words. Employees are people trying to get through the day, just like you. I think customers can forget that sometimes.
2. Look before You Ask
Once again, I know time is an issue. And someone will probably comment saying that that’s what employees are there for. I would counter and say that that’s what signs are there for.
If you don’t try, you won’t succeed. It’s one of the big lessons that they teach us as we grow up.
So you didn’t look for the shoes, you just asked for. So what? I wonder if you don’t try in other aspects of your life. Do you expect people to guide you through things? Do you avoid doing things that take too much time?
This isn’t directed at people that really need help or have never been to the chain before. This is for people who don’t feel like taking the time to try.
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3. Be Polite
It’s not fair to be impolite to people that can’t stand up for themselves. If an employee is rude to you, they probably won’t keep their jobs. If you are rude to an employee, they just have to brush it off.
They don’t deserve your frustration (unless they did something wrong). Don’t take out your emotional baggage from outside the store on them. Because no matter how they feel, they have to come to work and treat you with respect.
All humans deserve respect.
You don’t have to be super formal. Just be friendly.
Golden rule cliche alert: Treat others how you want to be treated.
4. Don’t Give Employees Unwanted Attention
If you think an employee is attractive, don’t take it to the point where it gets uncomfortable.
As a customer, you are in a position of power. Your word is important to the company. If you bother the employee and make them uncomfortable every time you shop, that messes with their work environment.
Expressing your interest is different than following the employee around and trying to make eye contact whenever you can.
5. Praise Their Work if It Made You Happy
As I stated before, employees are people and people want to know when they are doing a good job.
It makes my day when someone compliments my attitude or thanks me for going out of my way to help them.
When customers genuinely care, that makes employees care.
