The Customer Is Always Right

I want to appreciate @simonnwigwe for this topic. This phrase has caused a lot of confusion for some businesses that took everything their customers did or told them without taking time to dissect their actions.

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What do I understand by the phrase "Customers are always right"?

The adage, the customer is always right is a phrase that proves the power your customer holds in your business. The phrase influences the way we treat clients, either good or bad. This phrase has implored lots of businesses to do well in terms of customer service and also how to treat their employees.

As a customer, have you ever seen yourself in a situation where you were treated specially because of the above phrase?

Yes, some businesses have treated me right because of the statement. There is one day I bought some clothes but after I took them home, I realized that two of the clothes have some issues with them. Unfortunately, when I took them back to the shop, the sales attendant that sold them to me was not around, I met another young lady in the shop and explained the issue to her but she refused to take them from me, insisting that I am the one that must have spoilt the clothe and then came to return to them, I tried explaining but she wouldn't listen. It was until the manager came that he took the clothes, examined them and confirmed that it wasn't me. He apologized profusely and changed it for me. He did his best to make me feel at ease.

As the one offering the service, have you ever been in a situation where you have to treat customers exceptionally because of the above phrase?

When I was staying with my sister in Enugu, I would go to her shop with her. Every day, you would meet different kinds of people. Some would make you angry when they come with their unnecessary demands because they are the customers. One thing I have learned is that for every customer, you take your time to understand what they want, smile when necessary, engage them to talk, and if they come with problems, if it is doable, you make it happen but if not, you calmly reject their demands.

Do you think the phrase customers are right is the right phrase to use or not?

Business owners should understand that the above statement should not be adhered to literally.

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➡Why I think the customer is always right.

• Your customers help you build your business
  Your customers can either make or break your business. How? You may ask. By their constant complaints or praise. Word of mouth is powerful, often underrated, through their customer's complaints, bad opinions, and reviews about your product and business, they can break your business. Through their praises, recommendations, referrals, and 5-star reviews, they can build your business and increase your client base.

• Happy customer makes a growing business
  A happy customer is an unpaid brand ambassador for your business. When you treat a customer right, they will preach the gospel about your services to anyone they meet. Most people buy some products because someone recommended that product to them.

• Increase in profit
  When you treat your customers right by listening to their problems/pain points, by attending to the problems, you automatically provide solutions for other people that could be having similar problems. With new customers, there is an increase in your business revenues and profits.

• You build a loyal customer base
  Providing good customer service for your customers results in loyal customers who would not think of going to another business because they love the way you treat them. Your customer service can result in a loyal customer or the loss of a customer. It is not about making your employee seem bad but finding a means to appease your customers and treat your employees right.

➡Why I think the statement is wrong

• It puts unnecessary pressure and stress on your employees
  If you want a striving business, treat your employees right and watch them treat your customers right. No matter how much you wish it, some clients are unreasonable with their demands, and some customers come across harsh and rude and expect you to worship the ground they work on. Their attitude may result in bad treatment of your employees which is bad for business. Try your best to resolve the issue, but be able to identify when you have to put a client in their place, or your employee to order if they are wrong.

• Some customers are not needed because they will harm your business.
  It is true that in business, numbers translate to more sales, but sometimes, it is best to let go of some customers who will be hurting your business. Customers who while they contribute a lot to your business are consistently rude and abusive to your employees who only cause problems for business should go. These kinds of people are never satisfied with your service and can go a long way to risk someone's career.

• It can result in poor customer service by your employees
  The phrase the customer is always right even when they are wrong could results in poor customers especially if you accommodate the brash behaviors of your customers. This could result in a nonchalant attitude of your employees who would treat even the good ones badly.

Conclusion
The customer is always right is a good statement because they help build your business but sometimes they can also be wrong.

I invite @davidmarkgeorge, @confydence, and @lifeoflee