Sales Truth: Head Off Customer Complaints

Published

11 years ago

December 12, 2014

Customer complaints can permanently damage your business and reputation.

WHY IT IS TRUE: According to advertising guru Roy Williams, on average of 25 customers won’t complain for every one who will. Each of these 25 unhappy customers will tell an average of 16 other people about their bad experience with your store. They are some big numbers.

PLAN OF ACTION: NWhen people complain, don’t become defensive. You need to communicate with an attitude that indicates you clearly want to resolve the problem. Here are three questions you can ask to bail you out every time:

1. “What has happened?” Ask this question calmly and with genuine concern.

2. “What should have happened?” You must clearly understand the customer’s expectations before you can attempt to correct the problem.

3. “What can I do to make it right?” This will calm even the angriest customer. — D A V I D W . R I C H A R D S O N

After 35 Years in Kent, Bonaci Fine Jewelers Found the Right Partner to Close the Right Way

Bob Bonaci spent 35 years building a jewelry business and community presence in Kent, Washington. When he decided it was time to retire, he knew the process would take careful planning — and the right help. Fellow jewelers who’d been through it pointed him to Wilkerson. The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson’s hands-off approach let Bonaci step back while the team handled every detail, meeting his personal and financial goals throughout. “It is phenomenal, the success that we’ve had.” Watch Bob share his retirement story.