I love helping and interacting with people. In general, I really do enjoy working customer service. However, after working a few years in a few different customer service positions, I have compiled a short list of pet peeves that I felt like sharing. Customers, next time you walk into a business, please keep these in mind:
1. Disrespect to our product(s) or service(s)
Leaving things messy, being disrespectful to employees and others, or complaining about every little thing really grinds my gears. When visiting another person house, it’s usually common sense not to trash it and disrespect those who live in it. Why do the rules change when visiting a business? By leaving things messy and being disrespectful to others, the employees’ jobs become harder and other people visiting the business are affected as well.
2. People who can’t get off their phones
Have you ever tried to hold a conversation with someone who is on their phone the entire time? It’s so hard to communicate with someone when they are too busy staring at their screen or talking on the phone. It’s even more difficult to try and provide satisfactory service when the phone is the customer’s priority. Don’t get me wrong, I love multitasking too, but not when I am trying to get help from someone.
3. Customers who don’t listen
This kind of goes hand in hand with the last pet peeve. If I am trying to answer a question, it’s pretty insulting when someone doesn’t listen to my answer.
4. The mentality that "the customer is always right”
I think we all know, the customer isn’t always right. From a business perspective, it is ideal to satisfy the customer, but ya know what? Life sucks sometimes and you can’t always get what you want. Okay, so maybe this is a little harsh. All I’m trying to say is that just because someone is serving you, doesn’t mean you get to look down on them or be rude to get what you want. When I work with customers I try to keep the “no, but yes” attitude in mind. That means I try to go above and beyond to offer alternative solutions to satisfy the customers’ needs. However, it’s so hard to do when the customer won’t compromise because in their mind they’re always right. Give me some respect when I’m serving you and I will go above and beyond for you.
5. When I say hello or smile and it is not returned
My number one pet peeve in customer service (and in general) is when people ignore me or don’t respond. It’s surprising how often this happens. I tend to carry some social anxieties and there’s nothing more frustrating than when I smile or say hi (despite my nerves) and the sentiment is not returned. I can understand if I don’t speak up or if the person wasn’t paying attention, but I’ve had people look me dead in the face and not say a word. The worst thing is when people scowl as a response. Bad days happen to everyone, but there’s no need to take it out on someone who is trying to be friendly and accommodating.
