How can I stop feeling BAD for customers?

@maezee (41988)
United States
September 28, 2009 10:54pm CST
I love where I work (part-time at a dry cleaners), but on occasion, I feel bad for some people because of the skyrocketting dry cleaning prices - so I'll give the customers discounts that they really don't DESERVE. For example, I'll mark on the computer that they've brought in a coupon - when in reality, they have NOT. It's like I'm the karma police or something. The corporate office, though, of the company I work for, is starting to "crack down" on the illicit-discount-giving employees - by keeping track of coupons and marketing and who's doing what. This makes me nervous - because I'm guilty of doing this at least once or twice DAILY. But sometimes when it's obvious that a person doesn't expect it to be as much as it's going to be, or when something more expensive is brought in by a new customer, I'll throw on a discount to avoid them freaking out about it - or just to cut them some slack if they were nice to me. I really need to stop, though. What on earth can I do to separate my emotions (particularly that nasty "empathy" emotion) from work? What can I do to stop feeling so BAD about our outrageously high prices? And yes, in concept, I do know that I shouldn't feel bad at all - I certainly don't make the prices - I just work there, but for some reason, my heart strings still pull when I see their drycleaning bill is sky-high. What can I do to quit feeling so empathetically toward customers? And have you ever been in a similar situation?
4 responses
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
29 Sep 09
Hi there! Yours is an interesting question. Your gestures are really appreciable and your customers should thanks you from bottom of their hearts about giving them undue discounts. However, they may not realize the quantum of credit which you give them. Also, I feel that when you work for an organisation, you need to be loyal and faithful to that organisation, keeping aside your emotions. You cannot dole out discounts which otherwise are not admissible to the customers. You cannot help about services being expensive. It is your customers, who come to you, not the other way round. So I would advice, it would be better not to give under discounts to your customers and be loyal to your employer.
@carlas (198)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I agree, when I worked at a drycleaners and I gave people discounts (without them knowing), they seriously wouldn't even notice---and they still complained about the price!
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
1 Oct 09
Carlas! Your response proves that my guess is right that people even do not feel obliged for the favours done to them.
@carlas (198)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I did the same thing with the fake discount when I worked at a drycleaners. I got i trouble because they made us keep all of the coupons! So if I felt bad for someone, or felt like they may be taken by surprise by the price I would actually invoice the items on the spot and give them the invoice instead of the claim ticket. I know that can take a while if you are busy-- but at least tell the new comers whoa re bringing in 8 sweaters that they are 9 bucks a piece BEFORE THEY LEAVE! and if they don't like the prices (dont give them the discount) they can go down the block to "white way cleaners" or whatever...
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
29 Sep 09
The biggest thing about working for a dry cleaner rather than, say, a grocery store is that the service you provide is a bit of a luxury. People don't really HAVE to have their clothes dry cleaned like they HAVE to buy groceries, ya know? So really you shouldn't feel bad about your prices because they are choosing to do their laundry that way. Other than that if it's possible make sure your prices are clearly posted and so are any policies on coupons and discounts. And if anyone hassles you for a discount just bust out a sweet smile and say you're sorry but you aren't authorized to give 'em out.
@Craicha (801)
30 Sep 09
will its a big part of a role to be very patient with our costumers....eventhough its hard for our part but we should do that give our best smiles for them....and if you feel something nah right or good in your workplace its good to talk about in the management its right to that they'l know what there workers feelings at least the management will be aware with this too and can make any chnages especially the rate or price...