Customers can be so demanding. Ask any entrepreneur and he or she will tell you at least one story of a demanding customer who can really consume all your time for a pittance.
That’s right. And if you are an entrepreneur who hasn’t had such luck with facing demanding customers then…..good on you. I hope you don’t meet them.
Until I met the demanding customer, I used to think that being your own boss was “easy peasy” (I quote my six year old on this). But no, when the demanding customer shows up it can really get you on your toes and make your blood curdle just trying to please them.
From those I have met, the worst of the lot are those with a limited budget. Now, I’m not trying to run anyone down here because we all need to make ends meet, put food on the table and pay the bills. What I am saying is that those with limited budgets to spend usually want the best value for the least amount spent. Fair enough. Not all who have limited resources are terribly demanding but yet quite a lot are.
They tend to pick on things, try to squeeze you to lower your costs and can be very mean when you can’t go any lower or have to charge extra for additional products or services. That’s when you really feel that the journey to being an entrepreneur is just not worth it.
But this is the price you have to pay for being in business. Just like when you are in a job….think awful bosses, bossy line managers and gossipy, back-stabbing colleagues. In business, it’s the customers or maybe the suppliers or business partners but mostly the customers.
Whether you are in business or in a job, there will always be problems. Problems arise mainly because we deal with people. People are the most problematic especially when they want to get stuff but have limited financial resources. So they tend to snap when they do business with you.
Unfortunately, you would have to take it (easier said than done). Snapping back or showing your fangs back at them is not going to help either. I have learnt after some hot headed arguments (regretfully) that it is best to remain cool and calm and state your point firmly but politely. It works! Because how could you possibly keep shouting at someone who is calm, firm and yet polite? And my, how foolish you would look?
So the next time the demanding customer shows up, don’t show him your fangs, show him your Mr/Miss Cool As A Cucumber look. Let nothing he says rattle you. State your terms firmly. Stay polite always. Let them say what they want but you stay cool because you represent your business.
This method does not mean you always get to keep the customer but it means that you have done the right thing no matter what and you should be proud of your integrity.
If all fails then apply the SUMO – SHUT UP, MOVE ON.
I shut my mouth here too (excuse me while I put away my fangs….).
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