Ask Customers How They Would Like Their
Complaint Resolved
Many salespeople attempt to solve the complaint without understanding what the customer wants them to do. For example, a salesperson may reason that the last customer wanted a 20 percent discount to make things better. “Thus, I will offer this unhappy buyer the same thing.” The salesperson may be surprised to find out the buyer wanted something totally different to resolve the problem. The salesperson cannot be afraid to ask the customer what it will take to make him or her happy. A salesperson could say something like, “Theresa, we value you and your company’s business. I am sorry for the inconvenience we caused you. Can you, please, tell me what we can do to solve this problem and keep you as a satisfied customer?” Then, the salesperson must listen carefully. The buyer may simply want an apology. He or she may want a discount; still other buyers might ask for another product to be substituted until the regular shipment arrives. Salespeople typically find that the customer is not demanding as much as they thought he or she might have, considering the circumstances of the complaint. The solution should center on what the customer wants and not what the salesperson think is appropriate.