How can you show appreciation to a difficult customer?

Dealing with difficult customer is something we experience on a regular basis and in my experience with dealing with difficult customer is to listen to them attentively. Even if they’re upset or frustrated, understanding their concerns shows that you care. Thank them for their feedback, as it helps improve the service. Stay calm and patient, and always communicate with respect. Remember, every customer is valuable, and showing appreciation can turn a difficult situation into a positive experience.

Actively listening, being sympathetic, and continuously follow up... these four skills can make a difficult customer feel appreciated and wanted. Sometimes it feels like there is little you can do to boost that customers mood and get them to collaborate with you as much as you'd wish. Making them feel heard and taken care of adds a basic human element to processes that can feel anything but. At the end of the day these customers are like everyone else, looking to make their jobs as easy as possible, create less stress, and limit time-wasting. The sooner this is recognized, the better your relationship with the customer will be.

Firstly, dealing with a difficult customer is something that we will always face and we must be aware of it, so we must be prepared for it, and when the time comes, we have to listen carefully to try to identify the root cause of the problem, but above all to read emotions, this will allow us to know what tone and strategy to use. Furthermore, from my experience, I've learned that instead of excuses, difficult clients prefer beneficial solutions. At the end of the day, it is all a matter of perspective and how the same is conveyed but in other words/tonality. However, respect and courtesy must prevail above all.

Listening actively is a crucial step when wanting to express to the customer that you want to team up with them for a solution. Many times I have seen where we want to jump right to the solution but not take the customer on the journey of working together to find what is a great solution for all parties involved. Listening actively, which involves empathy and acknowledgement of the issue, is a key first step.

In my experience it always helps to remind ourselves that a difficult customer is afterall a human in a difficult situation be it real or perceived. Hence it is imperative we actively listen , come from a place of empathy and genuine care and also remind ourselves to remain focused to being able provide practical solutions. One needs to recognise , acknowledge ask the right questions and offer solutions. Remember to not over promise and under deliver as that’s the worst thing we could do to someone who is being difficult.

When de-escalating a difficult situation, using the customer's name and introducing yourself can be very effective. It forges a link between people and serves as a reminder that you are actual people rather than just nameless, faceless speakers. Accept responsibility. When you are at fault, the client will accept that you are taking responsibility for the problem and will begin to lower their defenses. Be honest and open-minded. To demonstrate that you are doing everything in your power to assist them, walk them through each step of the resolution process.

Respond to the customer's concerns in a calm and composed manner, showing empathy and patient for their frustration or dissatisfaction.

A heartfelt thank you for the opportunity to make it right and that they can rely on you to listen and the reassurance that you will continued to provide the best customer service you possibly can.

Apologize for any inconvenience or dissatisfaction they may have experienced, demonstrating genuine regret for any negative impact on their experience.

Apologize and confirm how that must have felt and that it was definitely not the experience you wanted them to have. Own it.

Acknowledge their perspective. Express empathy by acknowledging the customer's feelings or concerns. Validate their experience, showing that you understand their frustration. This not only diffuses tension but also demonstrates genuine care and consideration, leading to a more positive resolution.

If appropriate, consider providing a small token of appreciation, such as a discount on their next purchase or a complimentary service. This offering a gesture of goodwill can help to rebuild trust and show that you value their business.

We evaluate the option that sometimes may have already come from the customer and decide if it’s feasible or not. In the case that it’s not, we then offer a different or several other options to help alleviate the issue and even resolve it.

Always keep them informed about the steps being taken to address their concerns, providing regular updates on the progress of the resolution process.

Let them know you are aware they had choices, and because they chose your company, you have an invested sense of care and concern to make things right. Offer a solution within your parameters and be genuine.

THIS - always always follow up. It gives closure to the situation, whether is be the manager or yourself, as long as someone touches base.

After the issue has been resolved, follow up with the customer to ensure their satisfaction and to express your appreciation once again for their cooperation throughout the process.

Check back with a call or email to make sure the things you said would have took place. That you are following through and checking to make sure the desired outcome occurred. More ownership showing that you are a invested concerned individual representing the company.

Operate in humility - When providing customer service with a heart to serve and go the extra mile to resolve an issue, customers respect it and will calm down when they see that we are responding in a calm and collected manner on a mission to help. No one is perfect and we will never know all of the answers, but when we take the time to investigate a matter and find solutions to improve processes and products it does not go unnoticed. Learning from experience is what makes great leadership and it promotes innovation.

Encourage them to provide feedback on their overall experience and the resolution process, showing that you value their opinion and are committed to continuous improvement.

Make suggestions to create smoother processes especially if it is a repeated issue. Critique your own flaws but be sure to report possible flaws in the process as well.

More to consider when it comes to showing appreciation: 1. Thank the customer for their patience. 2. Show empathy. Apologize and appreciate. One example: "I apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience as we work on this issue. We value you and want to continue to work with you." 3. Ask for any other concerns or issues the customer has. You can give them a credit or a discount for the trouble if it is in your power. If not, ask your manager or boss about the situation and what you can do for the customer.

Promotional proposal other newer version of product &service with better feature with even same price & recall based periodic offer based on " why that targeted customers may be showing the customer had been diagnosed difficult .that must be explored ( non -non-cooperative to be loyal must be bottom line by behavioral profile indepth study 0