In our manager’s meetings we often discuss the importance of telling our customers how much we appreciate their business. As we’ve said, our customers are just like you and me. . . they want to do business with people who actually appreciate it. It is funny though how some businesses tend to overlook their very best customers.
Being a fan of great customer service, I am keenly aware of the treatment I receive when visiting any retail or service business and I have found that many businesses make a common error. They take long time customers for granted.
For example, I have seen waitresses at some of my favorite restaurants who become so comfortable and friendly with the regulars that they truly treat them like “family”. The pleasantries and niceties expected of a seasoned wait person are all but forgotten when dealing with long time customers. Often it is the best customers who are treated like family. . . like a little brother.
I have also witnessed retail establishments who take for granted some of their better customers. The retailers feel that since certain customers have been doing business with them for several years then they can count on their business for several more. Some businesses focus so much energy on bringing in new business that they forget to take care of the old business that made them successful in the first place.
Whenever I get the feeling that a store is taking my business for granted I do my best to take a long break from shopping with them. It’s really funny how I can frequent a business once a week and get mediocre service but if I skip a few months and go back I get the best service in the world.
The point of today’s blog post is this — make sure you never take any customer’s business for granted. Treat each and every customer like it is your first time dealing with them and you are trying to make the right first impression. And finally, take a moment to give your best customers a special “Thank you”.
Have a great weekend. — Luke
“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect of towards others.” Dalai Lama