27 things you should never tell customer service

Be polite and conscious when you talk to representatives of customer service.


Emotions tend to run during interactions with customer service representatives and tensions have increased only during stressful moments we live. That you call a representative orApproach someone in a shopIt is very likely that you have a problem that you want them to help solve - and when there is no quick fix, it can be easy to react excessively and say things you do not want to say. Although you may be tempted to threaten threats and spitting difficult four-letter words, which is only getting worse. To help you stay calmand Get the help you need, we gathered the things you should avoid saying or doing in interactions with customer service representatives, according to customer service experts. And for more phrases to avoid, learn the25 things you should never tell a cashier of detail.

1
"You know, you are people ..."

woman yelling at a customer service rep in the grocery store
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Although the customer service representative works for the company that frustrating you, avoid confusing you that person with their organization. After all, all that bothers you do not bother you directly for their fault and that you blame them will not help you in the long run. Specifically,Dane Kolbaba, founder ofMonitoring pest control, warns against "using" you "or" tone "when you refer to any errors from the company (or a previous representative)."

"If they are personally insulted for a problem, they had no direct hand, it is quite human to feel less useful and that these representatives are not different," he says. You will better try alliate yourself with the person who tries to help you so that you can solve the problem together.

2
"I call because I'm angry."

businesswoman of color screams on phone wearing suit, things not to say to customer service rep
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Usually, you call customer service because something does not work or frustrating. However, transmit it to the person on the other end of the line in seconds of their greeting might not be the wisest tactic.

"When calling customer service, chances are you are bored because a product or service does not work properly and it could have been a long time waiting for the phone to start," says Kolbaba. "When you finally get someone, it is completely understandable if you sound angry; however, make sure you do not direct your anger for them because it would probably make them probably defensive and defines the tone of the call to "Hostile". "For both parties." And for things you should not tell people a lot closer to you, discover25 things that parents should never tell their children.

3
"And I hate toothison your product. "

Worst Things to Say to a Cashier
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If you have been dealing with a problem for a while or if you found it particularly frustrating, it might be tempting to open the valves once you find someone who wants to listen to you. But on your question and your problem rather than trying to find a solution is a loss of time of each and is likely to lead the representative to take you less seriously.

"When you communicate what the question is representative, know that they take notes and pay special attention so that they can reach the root of the problem," says Kolbaba. "The more you say, the more they must be information To treat, so if possible, keep things simple and short. "

4
"Your business screwed, so you'd better solve this problem."

Elderly woman with white short hair and glasses screams at computer while on phone, things not to say to customer service rep
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This customer service representative is not there to be a typing bag. Even though the company you call messed up, it does not mean that you can take your anger on the representative trying to help you sort.

"Any form of abuse (eg verbal, emotional, etc.) should be completely avoided," saysSarkis Hakopdjanian, Director of the Marketing Consulting Strategy The Commercial Clinic, specialized inEmployee Training Services. "They are human beings who are trying to do their work better than they can. Sometimes a customer is upset by something another employee, or about a society policy, and they unfortunately take it on the representative trying to solve their problem. "

Kindness is not only thedecent approachBut it is also much more effective to motivate customer service representatives than intimidation could never be. And for more thoughts that should stay in your head, check these21 things we all think but should never say.

5
"I take my business elsewhere!"

man yelling at barista, customer service rep
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Although it may seem like the ultimate card, threatening to pull your business is rarely as effective as possible in the moment. On the one hand, all this is too often an empty threat - because, as annoying as a company can work, the search for a new supplier is usually even more troublesome. For another, the representative does not care as much as you think. "They are probably an employee on a hourly wage that just does their job," Hakopdjanian said.

6
"Is there anyone who speaks a better English?"

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"Some companies outsource their customer service services to other countries," Hakopdjanian said. "Many companies also hire first-generation immigrants that may have an accent. Unfortunately, some customers discriminate other persons based on their ethnicity. If a customer service representative was hired by a company, speaks English well and has a good understanding of the company's products, they are perfectly qualified to help solve the problem of a customer or to treat their transaction. There is no need for racial discrimination. "

7
"You are not listening to me."

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Sometimes the person on the other end of the line does not immediately understand the question you encounter. However, it does not mean they do not listen to you or you repeat in a staggering tone will solve anything.

"We understood you the first time - trust me, we did it," saysDrew Duboff, a growth strategist and exceptional expert whoManages customer service For the main bloggers of financial advisor. "You are just heated for no reason. Instead, try to listen to the answer and ask a question of clarification." And for more behaviors that do not help things, ditch these23 things impolite that you did not realize that you do every day.

8
"What do you mean, I can not ...?"

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"This question is usually unnecessary to ask because customer service representatives do not control the rules. They simply apply them," said Dubaff. "If your answer not to be eligible for a refund is:" What do you mean that I can not get a refund if I can not afford the program anymore? "Then you probably should read the reimbursement policy in advance and be an informed buyer."

Trying to understand that these policies will allow you to get the help of the representation in the search for a healing room.

9
"You $ *% #!"

Angry Asian business man middleaged on phone, things not to say to customer service
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Sometimes the bad word curse looks like the only answer in a particularly contentious or frustrating situation. But "using blasphemes, maledicated words or expenses do not help your case," says Duboff. "In fact, they communicate to the customer service representative that you are aggravated and that you will be hostile to treat."

He explains that the representatives will often answer the customer time to cool off, which could mean waiting for several hours (or even several days) to react or simply ignore the customer, leaving them with the same problem that made them so angry. to start with.

"These customer service representatives are human beings who do the best possible work," adds Hakopdjanian. "Swear to them never motivates them to work faster or try stronger. It is really counterproductive. When a person is shouted or intimidated, they are less motivated to help and can even seek ways of to be firm with the societal policies. "

10
"Is the customer not always true?"

woman yelling at a barista in a coffee shop
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This view is always trotted all the time, usually by customers who are in the wrong.

"Customers are not always right," writesAlexandra Sakellariou on its list of "Things awful customer service workers know to be true. "" The customer is often wrong or confused. They misinterpreted the price of a product or do not understand the small print of your return policy, whenever a customer is not satisfied, it is usually of poor communication or an error on their end. "And for a more useful content delivered right. to your inboxSign up for our daily newsletter.

11
"Let me speak to your manager."

asian man with glasses and long hair screams and points at phone, hings not to say to customer service rep
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This line tells the person on the other end, "you will not be able to help me." And though sometimes the manager can do more than the person with whom you speak, saying that it also has the potential to return.

"This will immediately agent you speak with ill at aastie" saidOllie Smith,Serial entrepreneur and CEO EnergySeek energy comparison site. "If the head appears, they will develop a negative opinion of you before speaking with you and will be less inclined to do the extra mile to solve your problem."

Instead, find a way to get themselves a representative to suggest to climb the call if necessary. For example, ask: "What other options do we fix it?" or "Is there someone else who might be able to help us?" Approach it as a collaboration rather than confrontation.

12
"I'll bash your company online!"

Cropped photo of man in pajamas typing on laptop keyboard and surfing the internet while sitting on sofa in living room in morning. Selective focus on hands.
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Threat baster an online business may seem like the perfect scare tactic to get a customer service department to do exactly what you want. But more often, your customer service representative is not really "worried" your threat.

"Consumers are drunk with the power of the Internet and social media, and they greatly overestimate their power in the case of a simple disagreement of customer service," writesCustomer Service Trainer Adam Toporek on his blog customers that stick. "Online threats are a dime a dozen. For most, an online comment often made no note."

13
"I will follow you."

Angry black businessman on phone, things not to say to customer service
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If things really go wrong with a customer service representative or you are particularly upset by inaccurate charge and you can not solve it, the threat to prosecute can seem an attractive option - or at least, this could give you a sense of power during your exchange. But in most situations, doing so is not a good idea.

"An action threatening justice will not necessarily have the impact you're planning," saysTeel Lidow, A lawyer and founder of theService consumer claims Radvouer. "The companies have legal departments manage the actual legal actions Lifting the possibility of a trial is a good excuse for a service representative customer individually to say." Not my problem "and end the conversation . "

14
"I'll make you pay for!"

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Avoid if you enroncerser donned with a representative of customer service that you resort to threatening physical violence. Not only can they point out your threat, but you can also be certain that they will be more willing to help.

"In most circumstances, a physical threat should never be tolerated," wrote Toporek. "Once a physical threat is perceived, the conversation is over."

15
"I will not pay that!"

Woman Rolling Eyes on Phone, hings not to say to customer service rep
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You may be upset when you get your cable bill and you see a charge on the spot, you are convinced, you must be a mistake. But starting your customer service by saying you do not pay the chargeProbably will not help your efforts to get this deleted cost.

"In most cases, services representing the customer reaches anything if you do or do not pay," said Lidow. "These companies continue to aggressively unpaid bills - they will not hesitate to send you to a collections agency or hit your credit report, even if you claim that the bill is wrong."

16
"You do not know what you mean."

Man of color sits at desk screaming at phone, hings not to say to customer service rep
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Sometimes, what seems like a defective product or bad service is just confusion on your part, but it's hard to achieve when you are in charge of frustration. Before accustoming customer service not to understand your situation, consider that they talk about many people who use their products and services daily, and could therefore have an idea that you do not do it.

For example, a reddit user offered a particularly hilarious experience they hadSupermarket. A customer came angry with the terrible shrimp she had bought that disgusted her guests and that he was even rejected by her dog. "She comes back about five minutes later and stated that she was talking to someone at the counter, who obviously put her in her place," wrote the Redditor. "She had bought fresh shrimps and uncooked she thought she was prescribed. She just dived it on the table and served it. Raw and uncooked shrimp."

17
"What is the strength of your work?"

a group of customers yelling at an airport agent, customer service
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When you are frustrated, it may be tempting to try to try the person from the customer service you are talking about feeling small by insulting the work they do. It was the experience of a reddit user who works at Chile described in aThread on angry customers.

When a customer was furious that the restaurant did not order, he started asking offensive questions like "what is your job?" "How could you screw up?" And "What's wrong with you?" Chile's employee asked him to say what he ordered and "as soon as he went to the AHI tuna salad, I told him with the simplest face I could gather he had ordered From the outback next door. He did not say anything, not even excuses and just turned around. I always have a good laugh about it today. "

18
"Can you believe this idiot?"

Angry Woman on Phone, hings not to say to customer service rep
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When a customer service representative puts you on hold, you may not be able to hear them, but they can certainly hear you. Do not believe us? Just discover some of the comments on this reddit wire askingCustomer Service Representatives Express things that bore them from customers. "If I put you waiting" and you do not hear from music, I'm muted, "revealed a user." I can hear all **** you just said of me. "

19
"Just forget that."

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While you could access the cash register and change your mind on buying a product, leaving several items behind so that the person upon height does not make you friends at the store.

Like aCustomer Service Representative Ventilated on Reddit: "I actually had a client, I work at the cemetery in a pharmacy and spend an hour loading his trolley with stuff ... She said she left her card in her car and she would be back. "I never saw it again."

Another pointed out that even worse is rightleaving the article somewhere random in the store, requiring employees to find it andso tidy. "If you are not going to have something, just put it back to the cashier and say that you do not want it," he wrote. "Do not hide it in the candy holder, especially if it's something like chopped beef."

20
"No, I can talk now."

Man on phone in bar with friends drinking beer, things not to say to customer service
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You may be perfectly comfortable calling the customer service from your local bar where people are talking hard, there is a live group, and customers shout drinks. But it's not particularly conducive to resolving your problem.

"The biggest black beast of our customer service agents is when people call, and they are in an extremely noisy environment," saidSean Pour, Sellmax car buying site co-founder, whoManages thousands of incoming calls Daily. "For example, if your dog constantly barks in the background or you have a very strong baby, it makes much stronger for customer service service. When you make someone's work more difficult, They do not usually do so good at work. " Try only to contact customer service representatives when you are in a suitable and calm environment.

21
"Let me also talk about my ..."

woman on phone, parenting tips
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It's not because the person on the other end of the line asks how you do it does not mean they want to hear all the details of your day. The work of a representative must be friendly and their cordial greeting is not an invitation for you to fill their time with personal details not related to the question about which you called.

"Sometimes customers start hiking on totally irrelevant details for their commercial transaction," Hakopdjanian said. "Unfortunately, many people are lonely, so sometimes a conversation with a customer service representing can be one of the few forms of social contact that a person may have." To be polished, save personal stories and let the representative move on to their next call or client quickly.

22
"Listen, darling ..."

cheesy guy in suit on phone - funniest jokes
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A few decades ago, a few decades ago, calling a "honey" customer service may have been considered charming-but the times have changed, and it is more likely to meet condescendants or scary (especially if C 'Is a man who speaks to a woman).

"I would advise to avoid pet names like" Hon, "baby" and "darling", saysEmma Rodbro, Chief of theCustomer success team At Seniorly.com. "Regardless of sex, I found that it makes a member of the team hope they are not taken as seriously as they should be."

23
"You have a sexy voice."

man talking on phone in office, office etiquette
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Do not hesitate to complement a representative on the work they have done or the help they provided. Just be sure not to cross the line in a more personal territory because it could make things more clumsy and uncomfortable. More specifically, "Do not tell someone that their voice sounds well," says Pour. "We get a variant of that many where they basically flirt on the phone and it's a bit awkward."

24
"What time do you stop working?"

Woman on Phone, hings not to say to customer service rep
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Similarly, Hakopdjanian says that sometimes a conviviality of customer service is mistaken to flirt. "At the very least, it makes the situation unnecessarily uncomfortable," he notes. "At the worst, it makes the representative felt dangerous or in danger, especially if the customer does not respond well to the rejection."

25
"Yes, but there istoo this…"

woman yelling at waiter in a restaurant
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Individuals in the service industry treat all hours of customers every hour and, in a few moments of short moments, they must learn more about the question you encounter and determine the next steps to follow. It's pretty complicated without reading two or three or more problems simultaneously.

"Discover every problem," she asks Kolbaba. "If you have more than one problem or reasons that you call, cek them in separate pieces of information so that the representative can take notes more precisely. If you approach it with the mentality of 'leave me Help you help me, 'you will have the gratitude of the representative and that would make a much more fluid and efficient process. "

26
"That's all."

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As you want to avoid overloading a customer service representative with information, you must also be wary of not giving them the complete picture. "Say too little can leave them suppose or to assume things," says Kolbaba. "While an experienced agent knows what to ask for and probe, some could make assumptions and offer solutions that could have worked with the exception of some additional information that would change the solution completely."

27
"Everything is perfect!"

black woman talking on the phone in her office in front of laptop, hings not to say to customer service rep
Shutterstock / Wavebreakmedia

While you should treat any customer service on respect and decency, it is also important to avoid being too polite to the extent that you can not fully express your preferences or opinions on the product or the product. service that the representative proposes.

"In the end, if you do not want our help, it's better to be simple," says Rodbro. "We will not be upset if you are honest. Be too polite and trying to say the good thing when all the time you just want to hang up the phone - it's the worst."


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