COPING WITH THOSE “CRANKY CLIENT” TYPES
In just about every line of business we have all had a run in with a cranky client, or at least someone who can’t make up their mind. Let’s reflect on the previous Holiday Season when people were going crazy trying to get those last minute things in order and you were ready to rip your hair out. To help eliminate or at least deal with some of the stress “Cranky Clients” may put you through; here are a few tips to ease your pain.
1. As cliché as it may sounds “The client / customer is always right” Believe it or not, this old saying, is still the BEST approach when dealing with the “Cranky Client’ types. Think about it, having a happy client tells one or two of their friends, who tell one or two of their friends, who in turn tell one or two of their friends.
Of course that is free advertisement and more clients that will come your way. However, one “Cranky Client” who can’t make up their mind, which you get annoyed with or you are rude to them because
they are rude to you, you offer them crappy service. Guess what happens? They tell two of their friends, who in turn tell two of their friends, who go tell two of their friends and “BAM” a bad rep and no clients. What would you do, try to appease a “Cranky Client” or offer crappy service to a “Cranky Client”?
Since we are living in a technology advanced society, and not to mention the old fashioned word of mouth, people work so hard to acquire clients only to lose them over one small complaint. Honestly and truly, when you write up a contract, please be sure you include a money back guarantee in the fine print.
When it comes down to it, you are probably better off giving a refund with a smile versus having that “Cranky Client” bad mouth you on Facebook or Twitter for example.
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