Comments on: What I Learned From My Customer Service Blunders http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/ Building Wealth and Entrepreneurship When Your Wife Wants to Stay at Home With the Kids Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:03:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Matt Keegan http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1127 Matt Keegan Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:03:35 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1127 That is why they say service with a smile -- when you grit your teeth, they act as a barrier to keep your sharp wit tongue in its place. Trust me on this one! That is why they say service with a smile — when you grit your teeth, they act as a barrier to keep your sharp wit tongue in its place. Trust me on this one!

]]> By: Steve http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1126 Steve Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:11:00 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1126 @Anh Great advice. In general, that is true, unless you are having a bad day yourself:) I'm a firm believer in word of mouth marketing and providing great service. It's a long term plan but it works. @Ashley Glad you got a laugh out of it. To be honest, it felt good but she probably bad mouthed our store as a result. Not the best move on my part. @Mitch My tongue gets me into trouble too. But 5 years of marriage has tamed it somewhat:) Now I'm better at asking myself whether something is worth saying. @Anh
Great advice. In general, that is true, unless you are having a bad day yourself:) I’m a firm believer in word of mouth marketing and providing great service. It’s a long term plan but it works.
@Ashley
Glad you got a laugh out of it. To be honest, it felt good but she probably bad mouthed our store as a result. Not the best move on my part.
@Mitch
My tongue gets me into trouble too. But 5 years of marriage has tamed it somewhat:) Now I’m better at asking myself whether something is worth saying.

]]> By: Mitchell Allen http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1125 Mitchell Allen Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:43:36 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1125 Hey Steve, Live and learn, eh? My tongue gets me into trouble all the time... I hate biting it, as it tends to swell :) Great article! The orange and black example really sends the message home. Cheers, Mitch Hey Steve,

Live and learn, eh?
My tongue gets me into trouble all the time…

I hate biting it, as it tends to swell :)

Great article! The orange and black example really sends the message home.

Cheers,

Mitch

]]> By: Ashley @ Wide Open Wallet http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1124 Ashley @ Wide Open Wallet Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:59:21 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1124 The fiance one made me laugh out loud. haha. Well... at least you got rid of her! I remember "full moon" days when I worked in Customer Service. There really are days where everyone is cranky. I don't know what's up with that. The fiance one made me laugh out loud. haha. Well… at least you got rid of her!

I remember “full moon” days when I worked in Customer Service. There really are days where everyone is cranky. I don’t know what’s up with that.

]]> By: Anh http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1123 Anh Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:37:18 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1123 We all stumbled before we could walk. Reading each scenario reminded me of my own experiences, and I have come a long way. When I worked help desk at a hospital, I dealt with some doctors that think they are gifts from heaven with their smarts and all. However, they were a rare breed, and the majority of customers were pleasant and down to earth. Sometimes customers are angry and rude because they are having a bad day. In these cases, we should do our best to turn that around. Give them good customer experience, and they will come back. We all stumbled before we could walk. Reading each scenario reminded me of my own experiences, and I have come a long way. When I worked help desk at a hospital, I dealt with some doctors that think they are gifts from heaven with their smarts and all. However, they were a rare breed, and the majority of customers were pleasant and down to earth.

Sometimes customers are angry and rude because they are having a bad day. In these cases, we should do our best to turn that around. Give them good customer experience, and they will come back.

]]> By: Steve http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1121 Steve Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:18:11 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1121 @Carla Haha. It actually isn't so bad. Every now and then we get a stressed bride but customers are pleasant for the most part. @Matt That is an excellent tip. Treating others how you would like to be treated is very sound advice. I'm a little more laid back than most people so I try and be extra careful not to offend anyone now. @Greener Pastures I talk a lot about our crazy customers but I would say that most of our customers are extremely nice and pleasant to talk to. It's very rewarding when you go out of your way to help them and they appreciate it. Perhaps I should write a post about my positive experiences to set things straight. @Carla
Haha. It actually isn’t so bad. Every now and then we get a stressed bride but customers are pleasant for the most part.

@Matt
That is an excellent tip. Treating others how you would like to be treated is very sound advice. I’m a little more laid back than most people so I try and be extra careful not to offend anyone now.

@Greener Pastures
I talk a lot about our crazy customers but I would say that most of our customers are extremely nice and pleasant to talk to. It’s very rewarding when you go out of your way to help them and they appreciate it. Perhaps I should write a post about my positive experiences to set things straight.

]]> By: Greener Pastures http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Greener Pastures Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:30:39 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1120 I've been answer incoming calls from customers for 20 years, and some days are still hard! Some days customers can be so difficult that you wonder "Is there a full moon?" But mostly, I have to say, it's a pretty pleasant experience. I do technical support for a biotech company. People are so greatful when you can help them get things working again, or you somehow take care of their problem. Follow up is key in our group, as there is a lot of follow up stuff. We always offer a time window- so people don't feel like they're hanging. I’ve been answer incoming calls from customers for 20 years, and some days are still hard! Some days customers can be so difficult that you wonder “Is there a full moon?”

But mostly, I have to say, it’s a pretty pleasant experience. I do technical support for a biotech company. People are so greatful when you can help them get things working again, or you somehow take care of their problem. Follow up is key in our group, as there is a lot of follow up stuff. We always offer a time window- so people don’t feel like they’re hanging.

]]> By: shea http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1116 shea Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:26:28 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1116 I was watching the women's channel with my wife, and there was a story about a guy, who had been going around, conning, and marrying women, he'd married, or been engaged to 10. The women all got together, and finally got him on forgery, and he's serving time for that. He'd charm them, then marry them, maybe have kids, and take their money, I think his name was Lee Cooper. It was on 20 20 on the womens channel. I thought you'd find that interesting, being that you sell wedding stuff. I was watching the women’s channel with my wife, and there was a story about a guy, who had been going around, conning, and marrying women, he’d married, or been engaged to 10. The women all got together, and finally got him on forgery, and he’s serving time for that. He’d charm them, then marry them, maybe have kids, and take their money, I think his name was Lee Cooper. It was on 20 20 on the womens channel. I thought you’d find that interesting, being that you sell wedding stuff.

]]> By: Matt Mahowald-New PFC http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1115 Matt Mahowald-New PFC Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:05:59 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1115 Funny stuff! Yes, it is difficult when you first start your own business to deal with the diverse public that's out there, especially when you're dealing with so many people online. I deal with most of my customers face-to-face at my fitness and nutrition centers in Santa Monica. However, I have ramped up my website and blog marketing lately, and with that comes a whole new world where customer service is concerned. For me the easiest thing to do is remind myself how I want and expect to be treated when I'm the customer, and that seems to snap me back into the present. I'm glad things have gotten easier for you, and thanks for admitting how difficult it can be. Funny stuff! Yes, it is difficult when you first start your own business to deal with the diverse public that’s out there, especially when you’re dealing with so many people online. I deal with most of my customers face-to-face at my fitness and nutrition centers in Santa Monica. However, I have ramped up my website and blog marketing lately, and with that comes a whole new world where customer service is concerned. For me the easiest thing to do is remind myself how I want and expect to be treated when I’m the customer, and that seems to snap me back into the present. I’m glad things have gotten easier for you, and thanks for admitting how difficult it can be.

]]> By: Carla http://mywifequitherjob.com/what-i-learned-from-my-customer-service-blunders/comment-page-1/#comment-1111 Carla Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:27:21 +0000 http://mywifequitherjob.com/?p=3389#comment-1111 Yikes! This is a good reminder for me to NEVER get involved in the wedding industry. I have been married once and will be getting married again sometime this year and its really not a big deal (as long as we have good food, wine, and friends!) but for some people it is and I forget that. You have my sympathies! Though my business is mostly online and not much is customized, I don’t have much phone contact with customers, but those are really good points to remember. Yikes! This is a good reminder for me to NEVER get involved in the wedding industry. I have been married once and will be getting married again sometime this year and its really not a big deal (as long as we have good food, wine, and friends!) but for some people it is and I forget that. You have my sympathies!

Though my business is mostly online and not much is customized, I don’t have much phone contact with customers, but those are really good points to remember.

]]>