by Cody Hodge

Created on: December 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 11, 2010

Why is quality customer service one of the most essential things that you can do to help your business be successful? Quality customer service is the one thing that puts you over the top in your industry. Think about it for a second, you can only lower your price so low before you aren't going to be able to attract customers and make a profit at the same time. What is going to attract customers into your store so that you can make some money?

That would be the service that you give to your customers. Two local grocery stores were rated by Consumer Reports on quality in the retail industry. On the aspect of customer service, one store was rated almost as high as you can go, and the other was rated almost as low as you can go. Not surprisingly, the store that was rated number 1 by Consumer Reports for quality and service is a regional chain that is very successful.

The other one is a dump and no one goes there unless they happen to need some beer or some cups for a party. For anything else they go to the store with the better service. For example, at night, the regional superstar offers the same customer service as they do during rush hour when they make the most money. The not so great store puts carts around the entire front end so that you can only go in one way. That one entrance is also where customers are trying to exit.

Why would you want to go to a place that chains you in at night as if you are some kind of a criminal? Why would you want to go to a place that makes you wonder if there has been some sort of a criminal element involved? Customer service is more than just how people treat you, it is about how people feel when in the store and the experience that people have.

If you go into a place and the prices are sky high, the service is awful, and the place looks like it hasn't been mopped, are you going to go there? I would think not. You need to have good people giving it their all, or at least giving the customer what they need to go back and buy your products again and again.

Customer service is essential because it is the one thing you can control. You cannot control the economy, or what people are going to buy, but you can control how you treat people. If you treat people well you can expect them to come back simply because they will feel wanted and comfortable doing business with you. That is how you win with great customer service.

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