Thursday, February 22, 2007

How To Handle Angry Consumers

When you run a business and deal with dozens of customers on a daily basis, there is always a chance that some of them will not be satisfied with your service. There will be accusations, raised voices and even lawsuits later on.

To defuse the situation and prevent it from escalating into something both sides may regret later on. Here are some tips you can follow.

Talk It Over:

Ask your customer what exactly he is angry about. This will give him a chance to think what exactly his grievance is and maybe calm down. This also signals your sincerity and wish to solve the problem.

Ask the Consumer How You Can Avoid Such Problems In Future:

The best way to show your sincerity in resolving the dispute is to ask the consumer how you can ensure that this does not happen again. Listen carefully to whatever suggestions she may give. The consumer will be satisfied that you did not intentionally cause harm, and you will get suggestions on how to improve your services.

Don’t Fight Over the Phone:

The biggest no-no, when it comes to handling dissatisfied customers is to try to shout them down over the phone. If the customer has a complaint, insist on meeting her and talking it out instead of yelling over the phone.

Third-Party Mediation:

Third-party mediation is not useful only in politics but also in business. Involve a third person to listen to both sides and help you reach a settlement. This will also help the warring sides calm down, since people are reluctant to battle it out, when there are others watching.

Be Inclusive:

Whatever the consumer’s complaint might be there, be sure that your tone and language suggest that it is your problem, too. Try to minimize the use of “you” and employ the word “us.” This will passively help you steer the conversation toward less acrimonious channels.

Ask the Consumer for a Solution:

Ask the consumer what she would like you to do about the situation. If the consumer is being unreasonable, then being forced to imagine herself in your shoes may make her stop and think. On the other hand, if the customer has a genuine cause for complaint, then this action on your part may show her that you are sincere about resolving the issue.

In order to handle angry consumers, you need tact. It is best not to yell back, in case the consumer starts shouting. However, in case you do feel your temper rising, count to ten before replying. Employ the help of a third party to listen to both sides and help you come to a settlement.
When you run a business and deal with dozens of customers on a daily basis, there is always a chance that some of them will not be satisfied with your service. There will be accusations, raised voices and even lawsuits later on.

To defuse the situation and prevent it from escalating into something both sides may regret later on. Here are some tips you can follow.

Talk It Over:

Ask your customer what exactly he is angry about. This will give him a chance to think what exactly his grievance is and maybe calm down. This also signals your sincerity and wish to solve the problem.

Ask the Consumer How You Can Avoid Such Problems In Future:

The best way to show your sincerity in resolving the dispute is to ask the consumer how you can ensure that this does not happen again. Listen carefully to whatever suggestions she may give. The consumer will be satisfied that you did not intentionally cause harm, and you will get suggestions on how to improve your services.

Don’t Fight Over the Phone:

The biggest no-no, when it comes to handling dissatisfied customers is to try to shout them down over the phone. If the customer has a complaint, insist on meeting her and talking it out instead of yelling over the phone.

Third-Party Mediation:

Third-party mediation is not useful only in politics but also in business. Involve a third person to listen to both sides and help you reach a settlement. This will also help the warring sides calm down, since people are reluctant to battle it out, when there are others watching.

Be Inclusive:

Whatever the consumer’s complaint might be there, be sure that your tone and language suggest that it is your problem, too. Try to minimize the use of “you” and employ the word “us.” This will passively help you steer the conversation toward less acrimonious channels.

Ask the Consumer for a Solution:

Ask the consumer what she would like you to do about the situation. If the consumer is being unreasonable, then being forced to imagine herself in your shoes may make her stop and think. On the other hand, if the customer has a genuine cause for complaint, then this action on your part may show her that you are sincere about resolving the issue.

In order to handle angry consumers, you need tact. It is best not to yell back, in case the consumer starts shouting. However, in case you do feel your temper rising, count to ten before replying. Employ the help of a third party to listen to both sides and help you come to a settlement.