Comments on: The Customer is NOT always Right http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/ Personal blog of an Internet Entrepreneur & Technology Enthusiast Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:59:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/gh.png" alt="Ghana" /> Oluniyi D. Ajao <small id="gs_author_location">from Ghana</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-46284 Ghana Oluniyi D. Ajao from Ghana Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:27:25 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-46284 I am not keen about getting into right or wrong. Any reasonable service provider would be eager to meet the needs of his/her customers. I am only attempting to debunk the illogical cliché. ;-) I am not keen about getting into right or wrong. Any reasonable service provider would be eager to meet the needs of his/her customers. I am only attempting to debunk the illogical cliché. ;-)

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/gh.png" alt="Ghana" /> Rollins <small id="gs_author_location">from Greater Accra, Ghana</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43143 Ghana Rollins from Greater Accra, Ghana Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:53:33 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43143 @ laurie; <em>.... If you listen to them carefully you can sometimes find a solution that keeps them happy without getting into right or wrong."</em> BRAVO!! I initially didn't notice your comment. Spot On. Exactly the point I was trying to make. @ laurie;

…. If you listen to them carefully you can sometimes find a solution that keeps them happy without getting into right or wrong.”

BRAVO!! I initially didn’t notice your comment. Spot On. Exactly the point I was trying to make.

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/gh.png" alt="Ghana" /> Rollins <small id="gs_author_location">from Greater Accra, Ghana</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43142 Ghana Rollins from Greater Accra, Ghana Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:17:06 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43142 There is indeed a common misconception regarding this term. But if one was to meta-phrase this statement, and base their argument on that, it would be completely fallacious. <em>I understand this cliche started as part of training for customer service representatives for them to put out their best ....</em> Yes, it indeed started as part of training for customer service reps, and it simply means (as has been stated severally) that the customer is KING- truthfully so too. No matter how much "stupidity" a customer does exhibit, it behooves the service provider to be as "calm headed" as possible, and not get into unnecessary squabbles with the customer, (as is most often the case in this part of the world). Hence, "The Customer is always right" (rightfully) translates to this; "No matter how stupid or annoying the customer might be, try to put up with them, because they indeed are the reason your business exists, and also because <strong>The Competition is only a few feet away</strong>". So "The Customer, trully Is Always Right". There is indeed a common misconception regarding this term. But if one was to meta-phrase this statement, and base their argument on that, it would be completely fallacious.

I understand this cliche started as part of training for customer service representatives for them to put out their best ….

Yes, it indeed started as part of training for customer service reps, and it simply means (as has been stated severally) that the customer is KING- truthfully so too.

No matter how much “stupidity” a customer does exhibit, it behooves the service provider to be as “calm headed” as possible, and not get into unnecessary squabbles with the customer, (as is most often the case in this part of the world).

Hence, “The Customer is always right” (rightfully) translates to this;

“No matter how stupid or annoying the customer might be, try to put up with them, because they indeed are the reason your business exists, and also because The Competition is only a few feet away“.

So “The Customer, trully Is Always Right”.

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/ng.png" alt="Nigeria" /> Dr Smile <small id="gs_author_location">from Oyo, Nigeria</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43059 Nigeria Dr Smile from Oyo, Nigeria Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:09:19 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43059 Sure, the customer is not always right, they can get stupid sometimes. What pains me the most is spending time and energy to write/publish a MUST READ instructions but they will not read. When their order is not carried out, they call and before u can say "Hello", they've started screaming and threatening doom meanwhile, they did not do what they were supposed to do simply because they saw it but did not read cos they taught it's not necessary. CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT! Sure, the customer is not always right, they can get stupid sometimes. What pains me the most is spending time and energy to write/publish a MUST READ instructions but they will not read. When their order is not carried out, they call and before u can say “Hello”, they’ve started screaming and threatening doom meanwhile, they did not do what they were supposed to do simply because they saw it but did not read cos they taught it’s not necessary.

CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/gh.png" alt="Ghana" /> Shola <small id="gs_author_location">from Ghana</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43054 Ghana Shola from Ghana Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:12:46 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43054 Y'hello, I do not entirely agree with that cliche. it gives unfair advantage to customers. Some of customers are just impossible and they are the types that are quick to point out that they are right even when it is crystal clear that they do not have enough information about what the bone of contention. Also, there are poor customers whose patronage results to more harm than good and it will be very unwise to spend valuable time attending to such customers. And here in Africa especially in Nigeria, it appears some people intentionally shop for abuse rather than the service. Y’hello,
I do not entirely agree with that cliche. it gives unfair advantage to customers.
Some of customers are just impossible and they are the types that are quick to point out that they are right even when it is crystal clear that they do not have enough information about what the bone of contention.
Also, there are poor customers whose patronage results to more harm than good and it will be very unwise to spend valuable time attending to such customers. And here in Africa especially in Nigeria, it appears some people intentionally shop for abuse rather than the service.

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/ng.png" alt="Nigeria" /> Syskay.com <small id="gs_author_location">from Nigeria</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43051 Nigeria Syskay.com from Nigeria Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:32:37 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43051 “The customer is always right” phrase is simply envisaged to mean that the customer is king. However, in this part of the world, stuff like this does not even exist in the lexicon of most businesses. Here, it is more like: THE CUSTOMER CAN NEVER BE RIGHT “The customer is always right” phrase is simply envisaged to mean that the customer is king. However, in this part of the world, stuff like this does not even exist in the lexicon of most businesses.
Here, it is more like: THE CUSTOMER CAN NEVER BE RIGHT

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/gh.png" alt="Ghana" /> Oluniyi D. Ajao <small id="gs_author_location">from Ghana</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43044 Ghana Oluniyi D. Ajao from Ghana Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:33:34 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43044 @ Yomi, too many people do not like reading thus that problem with that customer. @ Finbar, I refer to the fact that he is human with flesh and blood. I mean no offence. @ Akin, Thanks for the clarification. @ Laurie, I do not disagree with you but I am only pointing out that the old cliche cannot be correct. More comments please... @ Yomi, too many people do not like reading thus that problem with that customer.

@ Finbar, I refer to the fact that he is human with flesh and blood. I mean no offence.

@ Akin, Thanks for the clarification.

@ Laurie, I do not disagree with you but I am only pointing out that the old cliche cannot be correct.

More comments please…

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/us.png" alt="United States" /> Laurie Brown <small id="gs_author_location">from Michigan, United States</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43042 United States Laurie Brown from Michigan, United States Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:25:00 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43042 Perhaps the phrase that should be used is the customer must always be listened to. The fact is, in the customer's mind they are always right. If you listen to them carefully you can sometimes find a solution that keeps them happy without getting into right or wrong. Perhaps the phrase that should be used is the customer must always be listened to. The fact is, in the customer’s mind they are always right. If you listen to them carefully you can sometimes find a solution that keeps them happy without getting into right or wrong.

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/nl.png" alt="Netherlands" /> Akin <small id="gs_author_location">from Noord-Holland, Netherlands</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43035 Netherlands Akin from Noord-Holland, Netherlands Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:51:03 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43035 Hello, I would say you read me wrong - I was supporting your assertions by saying once you are fact-driven you can dispute the age-old saying. When I am hired as a consultant to provide solutions, I am hired as an expert with expertise, if the customer does not want an expert then they should not hire me. Much as one does end up dealing with obstinate customers, I still see an aspect of educating the customer about what they should expect from me, what is negotiable, what isn't and where we can compromise or if I should walk away. I was involved in desktop publishing in the 80s in Nigeria and was a consultant to a team of lawyers that produced the Nigerian Supreme Court Cases in 40 volumes - on the matters of design and its aesthetics, there is the customer perception and the expert view to things - in those cases, the customer is not always right and it does not mean that the expert is always right either. The ability to see that is your key to negotiating the best agreement. Regards, Akin Hello,

I would say you read me wrong – I was supporting your assertions by saying once you are fact-driven you can dispute the age-old saying.

When I am hired as a consultant to provide solutions, I am hired as an expert with expertise, if the customer does not want an expert then they should not hire me.

Much as one does end up dealing with obstinate customers, I still see an aspect of educating the customer about what they should expect from me, what is negotiable, what isn’t and where we can compromise or if I should walk away.

I was involved in desktop publishing in the 80s in Nigeria and was a consultant to a team of lawyers that produced the Nigerian Supreme Court Cases in 40 volumes – on the matters of design and its aesthetics, there is the customer perception and the expert view to things – in those cases, the customer is not always right and it does not mean that the expert is always right either.

The ability to see that is your key to negotiating the best agreement.

Regards,

Akin

]]> By: <img src="http://www.davidajao.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/geosmart/flags/ng.png" alt="Nigeria" /> Finbar <small id="gs_author_location">from Lagos, Nigeria</small> http://www.davidajao.com/blog/2009/03/29/the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comment-43032 Nigeria Finbar from Lagos, Nigeria Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:15:51 +0000 http://www.davidajao.com/blog/?p=583#comment-43032 Perhaps, you should have not made that comment about the Pope. A lot of people really think the pope is always right, faith-wise, and i agree too. Perhaps, you should have not made that comment about the Pope. A lot of people really think the pope is always right, faith-wise, and i agree too.

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