Table of Contents
How do you tell a customer they are wasting your time?
Here are five ways to manage customer time wasters while still giving friendly service.
- Communicate your limitations of time.
- Ask if you can set a follow-up conversation.
- Find out the urgency.
- Set the expectations.
- Use customer-benefit language.
What do you do if a customer asks you a question and you don’t know the answer?
What To Do When You Don’t Know The Answer To a Customers Question
- Be Honest. This does not mean you tell the customer “I don’t know”.
- Don’t Make Stuff Up. NEVER!
- Search For Answers.
- Give the Customer An Estimated Wait Time.
- Inform the Customer.
- Close Gracefully.
Can you give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a customer?
Example of a Time You Went Above and Beyond in Retail/Customer Service: I was working as a customer service supervisor and helping a customer return an item. However, from behind the customer service desk, I saw someone drop a glass jar of sauce, which shattered on the floor.
What do you tell a customer that is upset about long lines?
Address the Issue Sometimes a simple acknowledgement about the frustration will help customers relax and feel less resentful. For example, “Sorry for the long line folks, we’re a bit under-staffed. We know your time is valuable and we appreciate your patience. We’ll get to you as soon as possible.”
What do you do when a customer asks for an answer?
It might be that the customer is asking about a product or service you don’t even offer. If that’s the case, you can simply inform them that they can seek the answer from the appropriate authority. If the question is rooted in a customer’s misunderstanding, it will only take you a moment to clear things up.
How do you respond to time-wasting requests from your boss?
Another approach to time-wasting requests to do tasks your boss could and should do for herself is to re-frame the request for help as a request for information. So if your manager asks you to remind her of the date of that upcoming event, use the request as an occasion to show her where she can find the calendar herself.
What should you do when customers don’t trust you?
When all options fail, redirect the customer sooner rather than later. Try not to send them on a wild goose chase or let them feel like they’re wasting time with you. If after a minute or two you’re still unsure, you have a duty to put them directly in contact with someone who will be sure.
What if I don’t have the authority to help the customer?
Sometimes, you won’t know the answers or you won’t have the authority to do something. You might not be able to easily access what you need in order to help the customer. When all options fail, redirect the customer sooner rather than later. Try not to send them on a wild goose chase or let them feel like they’re wasting time with you.