Is good customer service important to you?
By naka75
@naka75 (795)
Singapore
April 26, 2010 1:33am CST
I was accompanying my girlfriend for shopping during the weekend, and being curious and interested about Japanese products, I stopped by a Japanese retailer selling skincare products and nutrition supplements. I was startled to receive a very warm welcome by the sales assistant, with cheerful smile on her face. Her behavior was so pleasant and inviting that one could not refuse to step into the shop and have a look. In the shop, she asked how she could assist me and spoke on the significant qualities of the products in a confident and pleasing tone, making me wanting to find out more from her. Even though I did not purchase anything that day, the salesperson walked me to the exit and bid me farewell "Thank you, please come again" with a gentle bow. I was greatly impressed by her service and would definitely want to visit the shop again. Thus, mylotters, what's your personal encounter with a great customer rendered to you? How did you feel about it? As a consumer, does customer service matters before the products or do you put emphasis on the products and not so concerned about customer service? Please do share your thoughts!
1 person likes this
14 responses
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I think that customer service can make for break a business. It is of the upmost importance to me but it must be done in a certain manner. I like someone who is ready to answer my questions in a polite and gracious manner but I also do not want to be followed around the store. I want to look at things on my own and then if I have a question, politely answered. I think that it is very important to treat people well so they will want to come back.
@naka75 (795)
• Singapore
30 Apr 10
It is frustrating to have the sales staff to follow you around isn't it? They can't read our minds and still they want to ask a lot of irrelevant questions. Most of time I just tell them in their face that I wish to shop alone and tell them not to bother me.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
27 Apr 10
Customer service does really play an important part in any retail or service industry.. As they are in the front line, it's them whom greets us first rather than the products..
IT's their duty to know the products well, and be answering all of our inquiries we have.. But of course, good customer services, sometimes, comes from a customer as well.. IF a customer is nasty and arrogant, we need not bother to treat them so well, for, they are obviously, looking down, on customer service staffs.. haha 
@naka75 (795)
• Singapore
30 Apr 10
I guess this is just a natural response if we do not feel appreciated or acknowledged, be it is the sales staff or the customers. The sales staff must understand that they're spokepersons of the company and they have to portray a professional image.
1 person likes this
@raynejasper (2322)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
..hi.. of course.. for me, great customer service is important since they are the front line of the business and if the customer service isn't as effective at all, then I believe customers will be dismayed and they will not go back to that establishment again.. everybody deserves to be respected and to be given right approach and treatment.. also, customers should know their limitations not to explode in anger for some mistakes committed by customer service people.. we should all think that we earn respect.. we just can't demand it from anybody.. customer is always right, but customer service people have rights too..
@naka75 (795)
• Singapore
26 Apr 10
Thank you for your inspiring words, raynejasper. What keeps the customers coming back is that they have something to look forward to each time, be it the good impression of the salesperson or they're looking forward to new products. Of course they are difficult customers and it is the challenge of the sales people. Some of these demanding customers are trying to make life difficult for the sales people and blame them for anything. My take is that the sales people must keep their cool and try their best to diffuse the situation with smiles and wisdom. I feel there is no need for his/her beautiful day to be ruined just because he/she met with a difficult customer, which means the person has to be strong and not allow anything unpleasant to affect him/her. If the person is not experienced in handling a difficult customer, he/she could refer to his/her superior. But if everything is done to up to highest standard and doesn't impress the customer, I guess the store would rather focus efforts on taking care of other customers. It is clear to the customer who likes to blow up, that you don't appreciate us, I don't see why we should appreciate you.
@vikramtop1 (154)
• India
26 Apr 10
customer service is biggie in my nook.i will go some place further away or some place that costs a little bit more if i get better customer service.i think it has to do partially with the fact that i have been there. i worked those kind of jobs
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
Good service is very important for me. I think sales ladies should be trained well in order to have more earnings in their stores. There are so many stores here in our place who have sales ladies who are rude. Costumers like me doesnt want to go to stores like that. I kinda have this idea that they are not worthy of my money when I buy something there cause they dont have a very good costumer service.
@deemazing (395)
• United States
21 Jul 10
Good customer service is definitely important. I hate when I call up my school for any reason (which is often because they keep locking me out of my classes for no reason - I do school online). Every time I call it seems like I get an attitude from an uneducated person. But, that is partly my fault because I joined a school that is $49 per month so I could make sure I could afford it this time (I started school before & couldn't afford it because I lost my job), so I guess I can't really expect much. But yeah...if she was just a little more like "hey, I can help you with that" instead of "ugh, what are you calling me for? why do I have to do my job today?" things would be better.
@pratheep87 (1227)
• India
26 Apr 10
Hello
100% i need a good pre and post customer service that too a good customer service. But now a days most company has poor customer care. You can see he consumer reviews and consumer opinion website how the customer care is work for us.
thanks
@teamrose (1492)
• United States
27 Apr 10
Customer service should be #1 on any retailer's mind. Good customer accounts for about 40% of the sales in my opinion. I will not return to a store that has rude salespeople.
@ada8may21 (2405)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
It actually a very important role in the business. Some big establishments has become rich because of their good customer service. Because they treat their customers as princess and prince.
And because of that one they play the dominant in the industry of malls. For me in my personal view, it would be feel comfortable going to places that you know you are being take cared of. Unlike to the place that once you have a questions you are being ignored its really irritating. I would really love going to place that offer a good customer service. I would appreciate it and would maybe patronize them.
@avinandy1980 (52)
• India
27 Apr 10
Good Customer Service is always required. But now-a-days this sales representative are very professional. They are selling the products for the company and they will have to show their ability to the company by selling the products. So for their own interest they will behave like a very friendly way, but the relation between you and the representative is buyer and seller. Customer service is always required but don't forget in the smile of the representative, after all you will have to pay the money and you will use the product. A good customer service can make your mind relaxed.
@roxxtime (299)
• United States
27 Apr 10
I am all about customer service I am a customer service representative and have been for more than 6 years and I believe every customer should not only be treated with respect but should be treated just plain nicely. I rarely experience good customer service anymore except when I go to Starbucks. I think whatever their training concept is should be required at other companies because they are great.
@amrddy (215)
• Philippines
1 Jul 10
I am a very compulsive buyer. Even if I don't want or need the product I might purchase one if the same salesperson like the one you were talking to would be assisting me. It's a big turn-off for me whenever a salesperson's face does not smile and does not explain the product well. Instead of buying it I will leave and find a better one to assist me in my shopping. Yes I guess good customer service is a must.
@amrddy (215)
• Philippines
1 Jul 10
I am a very compulsive buyer. Even if I don't want or need the product I might purchase one if the same salesperson like the one you were talking to would be assisting me. It's a big turn-off for me whenever a salesperson's face does not smile and does not explain the product well. Instead of buying it I will leave and find a better one to assist me in my shopping.
