Is the customer really always right?

Question

Or is that vice versa?

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

Neither the customer nor the worker is always right, everyone has a flaw.

Look, a customer can’t just have whatever they want at the expense of the business such as, not following company policies / laws. If the customer disrupts the place of business or doesn’t follow proper procedures then the owner, manager, workers, etc. have every right to kick them out. Not following the law, they can be escorted out and maybe arrested by local law enforcement.

Look, a worker can’t just have whatever they want at the expense of the customer such as, belittling or threatening or harassing them / refusing service for the color of their skin. A worker must follow standards and protocols also the law. If the worker breaks a law with an action at the establishment then they will get escorted by police and arrested by local law enforcement officers.

See? Disclaimer: That doesn’t neither can be right either, totally one or the other or both can be right. Just depends on circumstance, you get what I mean?

Chazmatazz269 · Accepted Answer

Not always, but usually.
That saying isn’t actually about being right versus being wrong. It’s about what it takes to start and maintain a business. Every time you tell a customer that you can’t give them what they need or want, you get one step closer to closing up shop. Learn to pick your battles, or just hang it up. Because “my way or the highway” usually lands YOU on the highway and a more amenable business person setting up shop in your old digs! Ell oh ell!

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

That saying started way back in the 70's or before.

It started because when people wanted to take back something to the store, sometimes the store would hasle the customer and not wanting to give them a refund.

I'm not sure what store implemented the police first, but there were signs on the walls of the store where customer service was that said "The Customer Is Always Right".

And it had nothing to do with skin color!!! I wish people would stop saying that everyone gets treated according to their skin color because it's just not true and it's getting really old hearing that still in 2024!!!

Name me stores that treat you bad because of your skin color!

IslaTheWitch · Accepted Answer

no... but sometimes they are... you need to use common sense, not sayings

FreyaRed · Answer

Of course not, but as seller you should give customers the feel of being someone special. Even if you have to disagree you give them some compliment before you say in very kind and nice words they are wrong. (Sweet bonbon before serving the bitter pill). Customers need to be convinced you're acting in their interest, not in interest of business where you work or your own.

SotiCoto · Answer

That policy presupposes that separating the "customer" and their money is everyone's #1 priority... and completely ignores the time, effort and hardship that low-ranking workers have to expend to achieve those ends.

If you're at the bottom of the company hierarchy then the customer being right might be in your boss's best interests, but it isn't in yours... so the best approach is covertly get the "customer" to fuck off.

northerngal · Answer

Up to a point. When a customer is being rude, abusive or totally unreasonable they are most definitely wrong.

Flatmanlewis · Answer

I think this phrase, when originally coined, was reflective that the customer is always right in terms of their own sense of style or taste. It was never intended as a sweeping commandment of subservience to the whims and demands of a customer.

CrabCakes11 · Answer

If you’ve ever worked in customer service, you would no the answer is HELL NO

JacobJordan · Answer

The customer is almost never right. In fact the customer is almost always wrong but for some idiotic reason we set the narrative that Jim Bob knows the difference between medium and medium well when he can't even find his socks without help

JT017 · Answer

I think the full saying is "The customer is always right in matters of taste".  People just shortened it so that it gives customers the right to act like spoiled brats.

Anonymous · Answer

They are 100% right even if they are in the wrong. The customer can fire everyone from the CEO down just because they go and spend their money elsewhere. You can think whatever you want about them personally, but in business, a successful business, you satisfy that customer. Word of mouth, social media, and ratings will destroy your company. And they'll go to another business who gets it with their money, followers, friends, and family.

Clyde_123 · Answer

Not always but we always have to please and assist them give them the best so that they can always come back.

Zenpanda · Answer

The costumer is more often wrong than right because people are stupid 😅

genericname85 · Answer

lol no. you should come to germany. if you thought "customer should be king", you should really see how customers are treated here xD

Siri137 · Answer

God no, of course not. I work in a shop, and they're always wrong.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Absolutely not! And it's bullshit how in America customer service people are just supposed to stay quiet and take abuse from the customers

dreamstar72 · Answer

No you just have to make them think they are right.

Booklover_90 · Answer

From someone who works in customer service *clears throat*  Noooo.

ICanSmellTheCosmos · Answer

Speaking as someone who works in customer service retail: no, they absolutely are not always right. lol. Most of the time, yes, but not always.

NathanDavis · Answer

not at my store, no...

shortster · Answer

The full statement is "In matters of taste, the customer is always right."

Anonymous · Answer

It is good etiquette, but it is for good people, right people

BarryLiverstone · Answer

Customer is always right

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Nope. Some customers are total idiots.

Iron_Man · Answer

At Burger King they always are

HurremSultan · Answer

Unless you prove them wrong

MacDaddyRico · Answer

No, as some customers are Karens.

In_Trance · Answer

Not at all

ab2shifty · Answer

Hell nah 💀

Is the customer really always right?

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