{"id":1724,"date":"2021-01-05T15:17:39","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T21:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/?p=1724"},"modified":"2021-01-16T17:31:22","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T23:31:22","slug":"10-steps-on-how-to-handle-mean-customer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/10-steps-on-how-to-handle-mean-customer\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Steps on How to Handle A Mean Customer Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Anyone in a customer-facing job has dealt with a mean customer at one point or another. Unfortunately, mean customers are part of the job description. Many times, mean customers want to let off steam about a bad experience, and unfortunately the customer service worker is at the receiving end. How should the customer service rep handle the issue?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6646 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/TeamAlert_v2.00_00_14_22.Still002-600x338.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/TeamAlert_v2.00_00_14_22.Still002-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/TeamAlert_v2.00_00_14_22.Still002-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/TeamAlert_v2.00_00_14_22.Still002-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/TeamAlert_v2.00_00_14_22.Still002.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When dealing with a mean customer, learning how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindtools.com\/pages\/article\/dealing-with-rude-customers.htm\">defuse a tense situation<\/a> is a crucial skill to possess. It is easy for an employee to get frustrated when they are confronted with a mean customer. If the employee doesn\u2019t know how to react in such situations, the wrong response can easily make the situation worse. The employee safety procedure checklist for dealing with mean people will help\u00a0mitigate the already tense situation.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em><strong>Listen<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 first and foremost, you should be a listening ear to the client. Listen to what they have to say and figure out the root problem.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Remain calm<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 yelling will not help anyone in the situation. If anything, it will escalate the situation further.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Acknowledge the problem<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 the problem should always be recognized. You should assume the customer has a reason to be angry. At this point, you need to find out why.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Reiterate<\/strong> <\/em>\u2013 repeat the problem to the customer. Not only does it show the client you were listening to them, but it will help you realize the problem and find the solution.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Apologize <\/strong><\/em>\u2013 apologize to the customer about the issue and let them know you are working toward a solution.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Empathize<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 put yourself in the customer\u2019s shoes. How would you feel if you were experiencing the same issue? How would you want it to be handled?<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Own the issue<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 no matter the cause of the issue, you are now trying to solve the problem. Now you own it. It is now your job to find a solution to the problem your customer came in with.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Patience<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 be patient with the client. Considering the circumstances, it may not always be easy. Remember the customer may be a little flustered when trying to express the root of the problem.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Do not take it personally<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 you should never take a mean customer personally. Realize that the client may be upset about a product or maybe a policy. In these cases, understand that <u>IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.<\/u><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Find a solution<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 you should always find a solution to the problem. Perhaps the customer needs a refund after having an issue with service or product. Maybe you and the client reach a compromise about payment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If all else fails, a panic button <a href=\"https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/\">from CRS Notify<\/a> can help a third party involved, whether it is a colleague or emergency services.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the Pros to Having a Panic Alarm When Dealing with a Mean Customer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A\u00a0panic alarm\u00a0is discreet and easy to operate. Most technology-driven panic alarms have notifications that let you know that the\u00a0alert went out to responders, so you are not wondering. These panic alarms are easy to install and are not very expensive. A computer-based panic alarm is much more reliable than traditional panic alarms. Furthermore, responders are notified within seconds that there is a crisis in your location. Alert notifications are sent out via, text, email, phone call, computer, E911 and sometimes phone apps. Not all mass notification programs offer every feature. However, most programs have a collection of these functions that they provide with their system.<\/p>\n<p>There is a growing number of technology-driven panic alarms on the market to research before making a decision. Having a panic alarm system that fits your security needs gives your employees a sense of security. That feeling of safety increases productivity in the workplace. I have had several companies tell me that they feel better just knowing the panic alarm is there. Though, they hope they never have to use the panic alarm.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In conclusion, there are several different techniques to use when working with a mean customer, ranging from mutually working toward a solution to involving a third party. Whatever the case may be, finding a quick and easy solution is beneficial to all concerned.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Still Unsure About a Panic Alarm System?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Contact us for more information to make the best decision for your panic button system.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:info@communityresponsesystems.com\">info@communityresponsesystems.com<\/a>\u00a0or 800-533-7201 M-F 8-5 pm CST<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_555\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-555\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-555 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/crs-600x191.jpg\" alt=\"mean customer\" width=\"600\" height=\"191\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-555\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Community Response Systems<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anyone in a customer-facing job has dealt with a mean customer at one point or another. Unfortunately, mean customers are part of the job description. Many times, mean customers want to let off steam about a bad experience, and unfortunately the customer service worker is at the receiving end. How should the customer service rep<a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/www.communityresponsesystems.com\/blog\/10-steps-on-how-to-handle-mean-customer\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Read more about 10 Steps on How to Handle A Mean Customer Checklist<\/span>[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6646,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[127,105],"class_list":["post-1724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","placeholder-for-hentry","category-crs-articles","tag-mean-customer","tag-panic-alarm"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>10 Steps on How to Handle A Mean Customer Checklist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Anyone in a customer-facing job has dealt with a mean customer at one point or another. 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