Return Policies

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Posted by Chris | Posted on 24-11-2008

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips

Tags: , ,

This is a true story and I want to get your take on what should have happened or if this is ok to do.

My friend and I went to a party and there was a major makeup company rep there and we had facials done under much duress, meaning the rep would not let us go w/out having it done. So my friend ended up purchasing quite a bit of product. A few days later she gets a message from said rep and was told that she overcharged her by $30. My friend tried to call her back several times and no call was returned. She finally got the rep on her cell after 5 days. The rep told her she overcharged her and that she does not give refunds.

ummmm WHAT?

After my friend asked why, she said that was her policy and that she could go to her website and Order $60 in mdse and the rep would pay the $30 that was owed. So she is getting $60 in msde for $30 in cash.

Ok, question is…1) is this acceptable in this instance and 2) her return policy is not stated nor printed anywhere at the parties and 3) do you agree with this type of policy?

My issue is that it was Her mistake, not a product that my friend want to return. Also it means that the rep is getting an additional $60 in sales by forcing her or anyone else to order more stuff that she may or may not want.

What is your take? Is this a good business practice or should this rep have to go to direct sales customer service school?

Customer Service And Meanies

2

Posted by Chris | Posted on 25-08-2008

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips

Tags: ,

Having a difficult customer is bound to happen one time or another in your business. If you have not had one yet, be thankful! But in order to be prepared for the inevitable, take a gander at a posting I made and keep learning and growing your info!
Difficult Customers?

Difficult Customers?

2

Posted by Chris | Posted on 03-07-2007

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips, Home Party Plan Tips

Tags: ,

Dealing with a Difficult Customer

Have you ever had a difficult customer or someone who made
excessive returns on used product or had a customer bounce a check on you? Did you stress out trying to deal with it or did you just let the customer walk over you as it was easier to deal with it that way?

Well you are not alone! Many of us have had challenging customers at one time or another. It is a fact of life with our type of business. But the difference is in How you deal with it.

Remember this first and foremost when dealing with a customer
service issue. You are the business owner. You are. You need to
deal with that customer in a professional, business type
manner. You can get your message across that your customer is doing something that is over and above what you will accept in your business without being negative, frightened, or walked on. Its all in the delivery of the message.

**Be upfront with them from the beginning that this is your
business.

**Be firm. Do not hesitate or be wishy washy. They can sense that and will not repond in the way you need them to.

**Offer a solution along with the issue. IE.. I’m sorry you are having problems with my product. I am in this business to assist you, so should we schedule an appointment so we can get together to find the product that matches your needs so you won’t have to be frustrated with returns?

**Think like a professional and let the professional take over in
sticky situations. Change hats when you have to be the bad guy. Professionalism will always win! Meaning… be polite even if you cannot come to terms.

**Know that Its is ok to “fire” a customer! If all you have is
issues, tell them you can refer them to someone who can better
serve their needs. Sometimes, it is not worth the stress to
constantly deal with someone you can not get a long with… Its OK! Really!

**Take a deep breath and move on. Don’t dwell on an issue. It is not worth it. Write it off to lesson learned and move on.

Baby Your Customer

Posted by Chris | Posted on 11-06-2007

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips, Home Party Plan Tips

Tags: , , ,

I am sure that you have heard of spoiling your customer before. But when you get right down to it, do you know what that really means?? Going over and above to keep your customer is an important concept in the direct sales business. This also means developing your customer thoroughly.

Now what the heck does that mean? You have already spent time and effort to get a customer. Now you need to spend more time and effort to show her everything your company can do for her. Show her all of the product lines that she may need in the future. Become the first go to person when she needs a gift or a special treat.

Occasionally reminding her of your services and deveolping that customer into a frequent buyer will save you money in the long run. Overall ,the cost of finding a new customer that buys infrequently is not as effective as keeping a current customer happy and a good shopper.

This is not to say that you should not be looking for a new customer. On the contrary! What I mean is that as you find your new customer, also spend time with her/him and develop them into a good customer. A very expensive one is a customer that buys one time from you and then never again. How much did that advertising cost? How many books did you give them? What free items or discount did it take?

That is what I mean by it being expensive.

Take good care and hopefully all of your customers will be customers for life and expand your territory and your blessings.

Customer Service Rules

Posted by Chris | Posted on 06-01-2007

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips, Home Party Plan Tips

Tags: ,

Some one posted on a message board the other day asking for help with growing her business. One of the comments she made was that there was a really aggressive rep with another company in her town that she felt she had to compete with. But I ask you, do we really have to compete with aggressive reps?

Do you feel yourself getting caught up in their actions? Do you feel that you have to be aggressive to be successful and prosper? Does the fact that they may be taking some of your business aggravate you?

Personally, I feel that the aggressive rep sydrome is something that we do not have to compete with on their level. You can take it to a different level.

We all know that customer service is the most important part of Keeping and Growing our business. So turn the tables on the aggressive one and focus on pampering and treating your customers like gold.

An aside to this is to:
Remember that there are those people that you cannot make happy no matter what you do, so do not take it personally. There are those customers that I have gotten from aggressive or laxidasical reps that I had to solve problems from the past rep before I could create a new relationship with them, therefore delaying the process while dealing with their anger or issues. And there are customers that look for a new rep because of a lack of loyalty… They just don’t get our business, making it a bit harder to spoil them initially.

So what can we do to be true ourselves and our customers while still growing our business? Simple things like tieing a ribbon on the package and putting in some tissue paper. Return calls as quickly as possible. Accept returns without comment, unless they begin to abuse it. Remind them that this IS your business and then act like it. Thank them for their business Every time you talk to them.

There are hundreds of more ways to outshine your competition. I just wanted to get your thinking caps on today. You don’t have to become one of “them” , but you can sure grow your business in spite of Them!

Cheers!
Chris
Direct Sales Talk

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