Here are some basic steps to follow when dealing with a customer’s complaint.
•Greet the customer, smile and tell them your name.
•Ask the customer for their name (always be respectful and use their title Mr, Mrs etc). Once they have given you their name continue using it throughout the discussion.
•Ask the customer the details of the complaint (it doesn’t work, couldn’t hear the microphone or the technician arrived late). Try not to interrupt the customer as people can become stressed when they are interrupted, particularly if it happens in the middle of a sentence.
•Acknowledge their distress about the problem. This is important as they won’t be interested in a solution until they have had their chance to vent their anger.
•Paraphrase their problem back to them to ensure you have all the facts and they are reassured that you have been listening to them.
•Offer a solution (exchange the faulty product, offer a reduction of fees).
•Give them something extra (an upgraded product, a discount on their next service, a voucher they can spend in the shop).
•Thank them for assisting you by pointing out a problem and apologise for their inconvenience. Take care not to admit liability for the problem, just apologise for their inconvenience and distress.
•Record details about the complaint such as customer’s name and contact details, the product or service, how you dealt with it and how the customer reacted.
•Ring the customer a few days later to see if they are satisfied with their replaced product. Follow up after a problem ensures repeat business.