Bad Guy - Nearly Everyone!
04-28-2009, 04:39 PM
#26
Power!!
I now wonder what type of customer I am? I've never bought anything from MM, but I have from BHR and other vendors.
I believe most people feel the need to get the upper hand in every transaction they make, business or otherwise. The trick is to make everyone feel they are getting something special even though every client is getting the same thing.
I believe most people feel the need to get the upper hand in every transaction they make, business or otherwise. The trick is to make everyone feel they are getting something special even though every client is getting the same thing.
04-28-2009, 05:13 PM
#28
Well, as I'm sure you realized because you read and understood my original post entirely, that I am only amused by this, not traumatized.
No matter how people behave, I still get to sit on my patio every day, soak in the sun and laugh at the whirlwind of negative karma that my sweepingly generalized targets are swimming in.
No matter how people behave, I still get to sit on my patio every day, soak in the sun and laugh at the whirlwind of negative karma that my sweepingly generalized targets are swimming in.
That's amusing as well.
It's interesting to know that you don't take your customers' "misfortunes"(relatively speaking) seriously.
Even if you're thinking, "This guy is an idiot..", you should be trying to figure out a way to solve their problem instead of ridiculing them. They are putting money in your pocket, and have a problem with something that you have supplied, regardless of cost/profit.. That is customer service.
Customer service is 95% of someones reputation. Reputation may not reflect quality of work, but it is very important.
04-28-2009, 05:19 PM
#29
Even if you're thinking, "This guy is an idiot..", you should be trying to figure out a way to solve their problem instead of ridiculing them. They are putting money in your pocket, and have a problem with something that you have supplied, regardless of cost/profit.. That is customer service.
But, ultimately, I am not interested in CS. Just results.
I don't suffer fools gladly and it is not a surprise to anyone.
And it is for precisely that reason that I am often afforded the luxury of choosing my customers instead of the other way around.
04-28-2009, 05:43 PM
#30
Registered
As I sat here on my patio this morning, sipping my coffee and contemplating my day, I came to some conclusions about how people transact with one another and realized some seemingly universal truths about the way customers behave:
1) Customers, given the chance, will steal.
2) Customers, given the chance to provide useful information, will lie.
3) Customers will lie and steal in direct proportion to how much you cater to their needs.
4) Customers can make epic posts about their frustration with a product but then can’t/don’t/won’t read instructions.
5) Customer’s expectation for service is always higher than their last experience, regardless of how unreasonable that expectation might be.
6) Customers believe that getting it now is better than getting it right.
7) Customers are skeptical, cynical and downright abrasive in their demand for “data”, but then will believe in magic.
Because of the nature of what I do, much of these realizations have saddened me to some extent. Not that I didn’t know these things before, but realizing how universal they were was kinda depressing.2) Customers, given the chance to provide useful information, will lie.
3) Customers will lie and steal in direct proportion to how much you cater to their needs.
4) Customers can make epic posts about their frustration with a product but then can’t/don’t/won’t read instructions.
5) Customer’s expectation for service is always higher than their last experience, regardless of how unreasonable that expectation might be.
6) Customers believe that getting it now is better than getting it right.
7) Customers are skeptical, cynical and downright abrasive in their demand for “data”, but then will believe in magic.
I’ve always entered into these transactions with the understanding that it was a relationship. I just hadn’t fully realized that this relationship is one of victim and perpetrator.
I apologize in advance if you feel you are a customer that doesn't fall into this order, but you probably are and don't realize it.
And not just with me - this is everywhere.
I am constantly stunned with how unethical people are on a daily basis.
I don't mean immoral - just unethical.
Any port in a storm as long as I get what I want and I get it free.
Not a rant - just a commentary.
04-28-2009, 05:59 PM
#32
No. I don't. They have mothers for that.
As previously noted, I do figure out their problems. And it usually costs me money to do so.
But, ultimately, I am not interested in CS. Just results.
My reputation precedes me.
I don't suffer fools gladly and it is not a surprise to anyone.
And it is for precisely that reason that I am often afforded the luxury of choosing my customers instead of the other way around.
As previously noted, I do figure out their problems. And it usually costs me money to do so.
But, ultimately, I am not interested in CS. Just results.
My reputation precedes me.
I don't suffer fools gladly and it is not a surprise to anyone.
And it is for precisely that reason that I am often afforded the luxury of choosing my customers instead of the other way around.
All I can say is.........
I don't blame you. With as many customers as you have, taking every alleged "problem" seriously, you'd probably end up jumping off a bridge somewhere..
It's still nice to try, though.
I guess you never did claim to really to carry your customers everywhere they go.
One of the things I like about you is persistent consistency.
I also kind of expect you to say that you don't care what I think
.
04-28-2009, 06:24 PM
#33
Don't misread me - I have a handful of people with whom I deal that are truly amazing folks.
But they end up not being customers - they are my friends.
Thanks. It really is one of my serious personal goals.
I don't care what you think.
04-28-2009, 07:56 PM
#38
Are we having fun yet?
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+1. It really is sad that we have devolved into the society were are today. I guess it's better than the alternative, though.
04-28-2009, 08:24 PM
#39
Registered
04-28-2009, 08:32 PM
#40
Bad Company, Till I Die
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I still find it funny as I read this thread... I keep comparing my job to MM's... All the people that I deal with on a daily basis that really are too stupid to own or use a computer. And no matter how many time you explain things to them they still just dont get it. And its mostly because they wont take the time to TRY to understand. Some examples.
I tell a customer to restart their computer, 2 seconds later they say "It says the same thing" - they just turned the monitor off and on
I ask a customer to bring their computer in to our shop, 30 mins later they walk in carrying the keyboard - I say, not the keyboard, the computer, the big box on the floor, they say " oh! you meany the modem" or "oh! you mean the floppy drive" - like somehow humans can cram every major computer part into a keyboard but somehow it take a 3x3x1 cube to house a modem or a floppy drive
I have many more I could list....
My point being, is that most people dont understand how a computer works, or how a car works, much less a rotary engine car, even many on this forum - (not trying to diss anyone just stating the facts as I see them) The only thing they know is that they want them to work at 100% efficency 100% of the time, no matter how many **** sites they have visited and how many viruses/spyware they have. Also , there cars to work at 100% efficency 100% of the time no matter how they have abused it, and how poorly they have maintained it.
Example - customers think I should be able to backup all of their data, wipe the computer, reload windows, reload all of there program, setup all of there devices, restore there data, and configure all of their software back to the way it was in less than an hour....WTF! Because they have no idea what it takes time wise to do all of that, not counting all of the unforseen things. i.e. Customer says " I know I told you the only thing i needed backed up was my documents and pictures, but I also need all of the (illegal) music I downloaded!" = " I know I said the only mods I had were an intake and exhaust, but now I added (or forgot to tell you) that I added a mid-pipe.)"
These things take time, and time is money. I strive to do the best I possibly can for my customers, but it does get extremely stressful when people dont understand the details and time it takes to do a job CORRECTLY !
Personally, I think MM is doing an uncalled for service for his customers. And I'm proud to call myself a MM customer.
Sorry, I hope my rant/comparison made sense... PEACE, OUT!
I tell a customer to restart their computer, 2 seconds later they say "It says the same thing" - they just turned the monitor off and on
I ask a customer to bring their computer in to our shop, 30 mins later they walk in carrying the keyboard - I say, not the keyboard, the computer, the big box on the floor, they say " oh! you meany the modem" or "oh! you mean the floppy drive" - like somehow humans can cram every major computer part into a keyboard but somehow it take a 3x3x1 cube to house a modem or a floppy drive
I have many more I could list....
My point being, is that most people dont understand how a computer works, or how a car works, much less a rotary engine car, even many on this forum - (not trying to diss anyone just stating the facts as I see them) The only thing they know is that they want them to work at 100% efficency 100% of the time, no matter how many **** sites they have visited and how many viruses/spyware they have. Also , there cars to work at 100% efficency 100% of the time no matter how they have abused it, and how poorly they have maintained it.
Example - customers think I should be able to backup all of their data, wipe the computer, reload windows, reload all of there program, setup all of there devices, restore there data, and configure all of their software back to the way it was in less than an hour....WTF!
Because they have no idea what it takes time wise to do all of that, not counting all of the unforseen things. i.e. Customer says " I know I told you the only thing i needed backed up was my documents and pictures, but I also need all of the (illegal) music I downloaded!" = " I know I said the only mods I had were an intake and exhaust, but now I added (or forgot to tell you) that I added a mid-pipe.)"These things take time, and time is money. I strive to do the best I possibly can for my customers, but it does get extremely stressful when people dont understand the details and time it takes to do a job CORRECTLY !
Personally, I think MM is doing an uncalled for service for his customers. And I'm proud to call myself a MM customer.
Sorry, I hope my rant/comparison made sense... PEACE, OUT!
04-28-2009, 08:33 PM
#41
Power!!
Voting and speaking doesn't make you intelligent though. Let's keep the political opinions out of this so the mods don't lock this thread.
Let's keep the political opinions out of this so the mods don't lock this thread.
Last edited by chrism; 04-29-2009 at 06:05 AM. Reason: political
04-29-2009, 07:06 AM
#43
With partners, I own a small contracting business. I deal with the large corporate giants and the the little owner/operator.
Prior to 25 years ago the "Contract" was drawn up on a cocktail napkin in the local watering hole and there were few if any disagreements when the contract was completed. The customers memory, understanding of the job at hand and expectations were known at the time of the contract. Very few of these "contracts" went south.
Today every job needs the assistance of lawyers and labor attorneys along with a very detailed knowledge of the lien laws, bankruptcy laws and court proceedings.
I do not know where the whole process went awry but it is everywhere. Customers wanting something for nothing and then complaining about payment and some fantasy warranty for what they do get. The Seller (or Contractor) also has his faults and there are more unethical sellers than ever.
I would hope I do not fall into one of the "scammer" categories but I could thru my cynicism.
Prior to 25 years ago the "Contract" was drawn up on a cocktail napkin in the local watering hole and there were few if any disagreements when the contract was completed. The customers memory, understanding of the job at hand and expectations were known at the time of the contract. Very few of these "contracts" went south.
Today every job needs the assistance of lawyers and labor attorneys along with a very detailed knowledge of the lien laws, bankruptcy laws and court proceedings.
I do not know where the whole process went awry but it is everywhere. Customers wanting something for nothing and then complaining about payment and some fantasy warranty for what they do get. The Seller (or Contractor) also has his faults and there are more unethical sellers than ever.
I would hope I do not fall into one of the "scammer" categories but I could thru my cynicism.
04-29-2009, 08:33 AM
#47
doin' the bull dance
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Well, as I'm sure you realized because you read and understood my original post entirely, that I am only amused by this, not traumatized.
No matter how people behave, I still get to sit on my patio every day, soak in the sun and laugh at the whirlwind of negative karma that my sweepingly generalized targets are swimming in.
No matter how people behave, I still get to sit on my patio every day, soak in the sun and laugh at the whirlwind of negative karma that my sweepingly generalized targets are swimming in.
My favorite gem: Opinions are like ********: everybody has one, they all stink, and the only one I care about is mine.
It is a damn fine day when we can agree to not give a ****.
