Why the customer isn't always right.

In the year of 2015, customer service has become of the utmost importance for most companies and businesses. Most of the items or services we now pay for are generically the same, with a different logo on it. What sets some products apart from others, is the customer service provided by a specific company.

I've taken a full semester, three-credit course on customer service and, don't get me wrong, it is by far the most ideal way to retain customers. With all sorts of social media taking over our society, an unpleasant experience can turn into a negative online review with just a click of a button. Because of this, more and more companies are succumbing to dishonest customers trying to take advantage.

I spent the summer working on Dick's Sporting Goods and came across quite a few interesting situations on a daily basis. Customers will switch shoes into different boxes to shave off dollars, or put an item on a different rack and say, "Well, it was on a rack that said $9.99." On multiple occasions, I would have to call a manager over and they would simply abide to the customer's request, as well as apologize. Since when did customer service turn into accommodating dishonest people swindling your company thousands of dollars every month? 10 years ago, associates told me they would simply tell the customer, "No you're wrong" and deal with the consequence of a poor word-of-mouth review. Now, there's a vast variety of ways to share your story about an organization. The biggest problem for the company is finding customers who are willing to share a positive experience. The customers expect a positive experience so they are much less inclined to spend time explaining they got exactly what they wanted and were treated fairly. Thus, this concept of "The Customer is Always Right" has commandeered any honest policy a retail company has ever had.

The customer is the pivotal aspect for any retail company and always will be. Respect and hear the customer out before making any quick decisions. IF there were more honest people in this world, these situations wouldn't arise as often. Sadly, this is not the case. If you ever apply for a retail job, just know what you're getting into.