Customer Service Tip of the Day

Never deliver bad news via email.
The customer cannot tell your tone, hear the sincerity in your voice when you apologize, or have a chance to air their concerns. Do not be tempted to hide behind an electronic front. Call the customer and use your excellent customer service skills to smooth over the situation. It probably is not as bad as you imagine it to be.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.
Jeff Bezos, CEO Amazon.com

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Answer the phone as quickly as possible.  Aim for 1-3 rings.  No one wants to be kept waiting!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Say "my pleasure" instead of "no problem."  When you say no problem, customers hear the word "no" and have a subtle bad reaction to it.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Pay attention to your customers.  They will be able to tell if you are distracted or doing something else besides listening to them!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Keep your keyboard away from the phone receiver.  Customer's don't like to hear typing while they are talking to you.

Uplifting Customer Service Stories

As a customer service representative it's easy to get stuck in a rut of thinking negative thoughts. Day after day you hear dreadful stories of horrible customers and before you know it you are reminiscing about all the bad things you've heard.

Here's a great uplifting article from Help Scout. Check out these remarkable customer service stories.

Now let's start spreading these stories instead of the negative ones!

https://www.helpscout.net/blog/remarkable-customer-service/

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Remember to use proper etiquette when emailing customers.  Check out some tips at: http://thecustomercarecorner.blogspot.com/2011/12/email-etiquette-tips.html

Customer Service Tip of the Day

When you find yourself in the heat of the moment, count to three.  This slows you down and makes you think about what you are about to say.  This can prevent you from saying or doing things you will regret!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Use agreeing words to show the customer you’re listening.  Saying things such as "yes, I see, okay, sure, uh-huh" are good words to show you're engaged in the conversation.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Mail out personalized thank you cards to your customers after you have worked through a big issue.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

When you receive positive feedback from a customer, share it with your supervisor.  They will be happy to see how good you are doing!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

When you are away from the office, change your voicemail and email to notify customers who to contact in your absense.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

If you are uncertain about how to pronounce a customer's name, ask them to pronounce it.  Better to ask than to pronounce their name wrong in the future!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Always answer the phone within three rings.  Customers don't want to be kept waiting!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Make friends with the people you contact on a daily basis.  Being on friendly terms can help you get things done!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Don't forget your magic words.  Being polite and saying please/thanks will go a long way with your customers!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Remember:  There are no traffic jams along the extra mile. ROGER STAUBACH

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Spit out the chewing gum.  It makes it difficult for your customers to understand you!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Refer to customers as "Mr." or "Mrs." unless they request otherwise.  It is better to be on the safe side and be a bit formal.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Use common words to describe technical terms.  Customers might not know what the technical name for something is and be embarrassed if they don't know what you are talking about.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

If you are going to be out of the office, change your voicemail message and email bounce-back to let your customers know.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Read up on customer service related books to keep your mind fresh and learn new ideas.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Tell customers why things occurred.  People won't want to hear excuses, but they do want an explanation.

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Recap the plan of actions to clear up any last minute concerns.  "To recap, this is what we are going to do."

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Say "please" often.  "Can I have your order number please?"  sounds much better than "Can I have your order number."

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Set daily goals to keep yourself on track.  "By 10 am I will call back all of the customers who left me voicemails last night."

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Be open to unusual solutions.  Just because it hasn't been done before doesn't mean it won't work!

Customer Service Tip of the Day

Don't take it personally.  The customer has a problem with their product or service, not specifically with you.