Comments on: What a Camera Can Teach You About Customer Service

By: Joe Bulger

Joe Bulger — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:43:24 +0000

Loved this post James. Your story is an every day occurrence, which is a glorious opportunity for those of us that can deliver decent service.

One statement I cannot agree with is “The customer is always right.” Customers can be ridiculously wrong. However, the customer is ALWAYS the customer. That means they’re treated with dignity and respect even when they may not deserve it.

One secret to great service? Train the customers. Set the boundaries for play instead of letting them run roughshod over everybody. That’s how you build a tribe, a velvet-rope society of insider’s who play by the rules and enjoy insider status.

Joe

By: for whom the cash register tolls « Biscotti Baby

for whom the cash register tolls « Biscotti Baby — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:21:24 +0000

[...] mention that Megastores like this, with their soul-less atmosphere, corporate policies and by-rote, shoddy at best “customer service”, stomp downtown America, where in this economy, small business owners are struggling hard just to [...]

By: What’s Hot Now: 39 Inspirations With Sticking Power :: Maximum Customer Experience Blog

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:44:09 +0000

[...] (Short-termism at Trust Matters, How to Make Your Tuesday Super at Chaos Scenario, Bad Customer Service at Men With [...]

By: Relationship Marketing Series #5: Pay Attention | Remarkable Communication

Relationship Marketing Series #5: Pay Attention | Remarkable Communication — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:47:52 +0000

[...] concerns and problems that you’re not paying attention to your customers, you are doomed. Wal*mart can probably continue to get away with it–you can’t. (Here’s a pithy and very low-tech example of the right way to approach [...]

By: Have you ever sacked a client? | Inspirational Guidance

Have you ever sacked a client? | Inspirational Guidance — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:22:44 +0000

[...] a quote from Freelance Writer Monika Mundell that I love I rather spend my time – and my energies working with clients that donâ€™t behave like obnoxious, needy little pricks and move on. For lack of knowing, we donâ€™t [...]

By: Men With Pens Review | Get Paid to Write Online

Men With Pens Review | Get Paid to Write Online — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:00:44 +0000

[...] What a Camera Can Teach You About Customer Service Sorry, you’ll just have to read this one. No excerpt would do it justice. [...]

By: Stephen Hopson Interview with Harry and James, Men with Pens, Part II of II

Stephen Hopson Interview with Harry and James, Men with Pens, Part II of II — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:26:19 +0000

[...] Bad Customer Service [...]

By: Use The Pareto Principle To Sack Annoying Clients | The Writers Manifesto Blog

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:06:32 +0000

[...] rather spend my time – and my energies working with clients that don’t behave like obnoxious, needy little pricks and move on. For lack of knowing, we [...]

By: James

James — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:10:30 +0000

@ Barbara – Living in a very small town in a low-economy area, I understand perfectly what you’re saying. Many couples (not individuals) live on an income of $10,000 a year around here. WalMart does have its place in the community and has let many people improve their lives. I hear you – I really do.

Also, WalMart does provide many people who would not otherwise have had jobs with jobs – poor training and shitty customer service aside. There are many who consider themselves very lucky to have those jobs – and I may one day be in their ranks, so I certainly won’t sniff too much about the company.

It’s really no one’s fault the world is the way it is… but we can all strive to put smiles on our faces, no matter where we work or what we have to face.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:36:22 +0000

In defense of WalMart, unfortunately they often have the best prices, and for seniors or individuals living on low or fixed incomes, a savings of a few dollars will often mean those customers can not only get their medication, but will be able to eat and pay their rent.

Granted the employees at WalMart are probably making minimum wage, may be poorly trained, and hate their job, but often all they can do is to first follow the company policy. Although the customer is “always right”, too many dishonest customers have taken advantage of that philosophy and used the system to their advantage, making it bad for those of us who are honest.

I often feel sorry for those employees who have to deal with irate customers as it’s not their fault. They are doing the best they can with what they have to work with.

We have a small business and I know the “buck stops here”, so we always strive for customer satisfaction. After many years of producing quality work, all of our business is now based on referrals. In the end, it pays off.