Nobody likes to get complaints. They make you question your judgment, they can ruin your day, and they almost always leave you in a bad mood. But what if I told you that complaints are actually a good thing?
Really! I'm not kidding. Complaints are one of the best forms of research you can perform. Complaints are also one of the best sources for new product/service ideas. How so? Most people who complain are upset. When people get upset, they are more likely to speak their minds. Most people who complain also like to tell you exactly what you've done wrong AND tell you how they would do it better. While your customers' attitudes may not be something to look forward to, their hidden suggestions are!
Let's look at this complaint:
"I can't believe you are sending these huge files through email! How ridiculous can a person be!? That clogs up the emails of those of us who are on dial-up for at least 20 minutes. I don't have time for this. You know, if you had a brain in your head, you'd know about XYZ.com. They burn CDs for about $0.30 each and will ship them to your customers for about $1.00 each. Anybody can afford that price. I've deleted your email. When you decide to operate like a real business and send me a CD, I'll look at it."
Yes? it's a harsh email. But most people who complain don't have very good manners, now do they? But take away the emotion. Take away the temper. Take away the insults, and what do you have left? A VERY good resource for CDs!
This person has just given you a resource that can:
(a) solve your problem with huge downloads
(b) be a new product to sell (CDs instead of downloadable files)
(c) offer you a solution that can benefit you and your customers
All for free!
How about the complaints that say, "You know, you really ought to?" Well? Maybe you really ought to. Have you thought about the customer's suggestion? Yes, it was probably hidden beneath a pile of profane words and threats? but look deeper. In all honesty, is this unruly customer doing you a favor?
It happens more often than you might think. People, in general, have a bad habit of trying to show those they are upset with how big and bad they are. More times than not, you'll get great ideas buried inside a wrapper of rudeness.
The next time you get a complaint, unwrap the package, and you just might find that the complaint is a blessing in disguise. If you remove the ugliness from the message, you could very well have some terrific ideas for improving or expanding your business!
Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes
About The Author
Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com
FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane
Remember trading stamps? If you're over 40, chances are you... Read More
Improving customer service starts at the top - with us... Read More
Delight = Customer Expectation plus 1. This was the simple... Read More
Have you ever walked into a store and things looked... Read More
Whether online or off, if you plan on running or... Read More
Have you seen that thing on TV where the gal... Read More
Sales is tough to get right, and depends on retaining... Read More
Dr. Michael LeBoeuf, in his cassette album entitled, Win... Read More
1. Don't get Hooked !!!When people behave towards you in... Read More
You want customers. I want customers. We all want customers.... Read More
Which is more important the technology or the customer?The one... Read More
I got it into my head sometime in December 2004... Read More
Newsletters can be wonderful tools for communicating with your customers... Read More
A general counsel of a large international consulting firm told... Read More
How often has your schedule been thrown out of whack... Read More
If you're still dreaming about raising outside capital for your... Read More
What do your customers experience when they interact with your... Read More
Customer retention is vital to a business. If you cannot... Read More
Good service is easy to spot and hard-to-find. Mediocre service... Read More
Over promising is a problem only when you under deliver.... Read More
There are five techniques that have been proven to be... Read More
You are serving great food. Your establishment is new, spotless... Read More
Quest for new clients shouldn't ignore those who pay the... Read More
Reality is not always pretty. But here is a tad... Read More
From Ebay to the smallest home-operated start-up, e-businesses of all... Read More
Whether in a restaurant, a retail establishment, or the local... Read More
According to customer service studies by marketing gurus of the... Read More
The simplest way to describe a 'durian' (pronounced doo-ree-ann) is... Read More
Why bother? Good customer service is the life blood of... Read More
Some businesses have slow paying customers or past due balances... Read More
It should be a straightforward business scenario: making sure that... Read More
Five minutes into the call I knew this client was... Read More
What a lot of money we have been wasting on... Read More
Customer Service is a blessing and a curse; a blessing... Read More
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Human Tech Tips --... Read More
Q: I just discovered that for the past six months... Read More
It might sound quick and simple, to say how well... Read More
It's The Little Things That Make or Break a Small... Read More
Yesterday I went to buy a sandwich at a franchised... Read More
We all want great service, whether we are buying our... Read More
Public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not... Read More
Q: One of the big chain bookstores recently opened up... Read More
It never fails to amaze me how many companies have... Read More
Is customer service a lost art? Before you answer that... Read More
- Excerpt from Richard Saporito's latest e-book "How to Improve... Read More
Do you remember the last time you went into a... Read More
Over promising is a problem only when you under deliver.... Read More
If you're still dreaming about raising outside capital for your... Read More
The buzz is all about customer service and call center... Read More
Resistance has to do with putting up blocks that prevent... Read More
Customer Service Customer Service |