Q: I am so sick of you so-known as company specialists usually saying the consumer is usually correct. This is my company, not the customer’s, so I am the 1 who’s usually correct. Certain, they can have an viewpoint, but in the end it is up to me to determine who’s correct and who’s not. And if the consumer doesn’t like it they can take their company elsewhere. What do you say to that, Mr. Company Professional? — Paul W.

A: Ah, Paul, and I had such higher hopes that we would be friends. Oh well, so much for that hope. The fact is, Paul, within the context of a regular company transaction, the consumer is usually correct. If you can’t accept that fact, you won’t have customers for long.

Certain, the consumer may also be unreasonable, demanding, obnoxious, totally insane, and argumentative, but if you are willing to take their cash in trade for providing a item or services, then indeed, the consumer is usually correct.

I agree that there are terrible customers that will defeat you into the floor if you allow them. They rant, they rave, and they demand more than they should obtain. But guess what, Paul? If a consumer crosses the line of reasonability you don’t have to do company with them. Thank them for their time and then send them on their not-so-merry way. Let them turn out to be somebody else’s problem if they are too much for you.

I have invited customers to take their company elsewhere and there is completely nothing wrong with that. The fact is some customers can not be pacified and end up doing more hurt to your company than good. Still, it is up to you to do company with them and if you choose to do so, you basically agree to put up with whatever they dish out.

Most consumer problems arise from bad consumer services. There is not a week that goes by that I am not confronted with bad consumer services, provided by apathetic company owners and their disgruntled workers who don’t seem to give a flip that I am not a happy consumer.

As an entrepreneur I give my fellow entrepreneurs more leeway than most individuals when it arrives to bad consumer services. I know how hard it is to be in company and I know how active the average entrepreneur is. Still, the entrepreneur who ignores the customers requirements will not be an entrepreneur extremely long.

I am not an over-demanding consumer, but I do anticipate to be handled with the respect because of somebody who is willing to pay hard earned cash for a item or services. In the previous yr I have been physically assaulted by a car salesman who refused to back up the promises he had produced to get my signature on the dotted line. I’ve given up going to a particular Mexican fast food restaurant simply because the spiky-haired kids behind the counter act like taking my purchase is a main imposition on their day and when I do convince them to market me food, the purchase is usually wrong. And a particular cable business is nonetheless billing me for cable services at a home I moved out of 6 months back.

So don’t preach to me about who’s correct and who’s wrong, Paul, simply because I have sufficient consumer services horror stories to fill your soon to be empty appointment book, and in every situation the consumer WAS correct.

Tell you what, Paul, instead of continuing my normal consumer services sermon allow me take this chance to write an open letter to you and other entrepreneurs all over the place who reveal your stage of see.

Dear Paul (and the rest of you jokers),

The next time I purchase your item and you swear on a stack of bibles that it will completely, positively be there overnight and when it doesn’t show up for two weeks and is damaged in a dozen pieces and I call you to complain and you just say, “Oh well…”

The next time you inform me that my home requirements a new roof when truly all it truly requirements is a couple of shingles nailed down and when I confront you with the fact of the matter and you just say, “Oh well…”

The next time you inform me that my car requirements a new engine when all it truly requirements is a battery, and I stage this out to you and you just say, “Oh well…”

The next time I get lousy consumer services from you I am going to go out of my way to allow the planet know about you. I am going to start a campaign of consumer services unawareness that will have angry customers beating on your doorway with torches and pitch forks in hand.

I am going to send emails to everyone I know and encourage them to pass them on to everyone they know. It will be like that previous shampoo industrial where I inform two friends and they inform two friends and they inform two friends and before you know it the whole planet will know to avoid your company like the plague.

Then I am going to develop a website devoted to telling the planet about your lousy consumer services, Paul. I will register it with search engines and send out press releases and buy Tv and radio spots that announce to the planet that your concept of consumer services leaves much to be desired.

And when you come crying back to me, Paul, moaning that you have been operate out of company as a outcome of my campaign of consumer services unawareness do you know what I am going to say?

That is correct, Paul, previous pal.

I will just say, “Oh well…”

Note to readers: Have you skilled bad consumer services? If so email me the details. Who knows, maybe we can hit the campaign path together.

Here is to your good results!

Small Company Q&#038A is created by veteran entrepreneur and syndicated columnist, Tim Knox. Tim’s latest publications include “Small Company Success Secrets” and “The 30 Day Blueprint For Success!” Related Links: http://www.smallbusinessqa.com http://www.dropshipwholesale.net