Being kind isn’t just free. It comes with a pretty sweet discount.
Are customers always right?
This question is very common to all business establishments that offer services or merchandise. Businesses that cater to a hefty number of customers often stumble upon rude customers.
It’s sad because it’s where the slogan “the customer is always right” gets abused.
Excellent service must be given to customers, that is absolutely true. But does that mean employees are no longer allowed to voice out what they think is right? Are they no longer entitled to self-respect?
Is fighting for respect worth losing a customer?
For one brave person, it’s a resounding “YES!” Back in 2016, Austin Simms, a barista at the Cups Coffee and Tea in Roanoke, Virginia thought of a clever but effective solution to teach rude customers a lesson.
He seemed to notice the absence of respect on their establishment so he came up with a brilliant idea in stopping it.
Just how hard it is to say the word “please”?
Based on his experience, it somehow looked like it’s pretty hard for their customers.
In the world of business and customer service, a lot of customers tend to forget how to be polite towards their helpers.
It really goes to show that a person can’t acquire good manners just by studying at a prestigious university. Respect begets respect, and one can’t buy a positive attitude from a department store.
The reality is, customers are not just being rude to employees but also to business owners as well. They fear no one and they will disrespect anyone for some lame reasons, worse, for no reasons at all.
Respect comes with a “prize”.
So the Cups Coffee and Tea decided to send their customers a message. They had no plans of being disrespected again, not inside their very own coffee shop. So, they made a new price list and posted it outside the shop.
According to the sign, if the customer said: “one small coffee”, that’s going to cost them $5.00. If they said “one small coffee, please”, that’s $3.00. You don’t need to be a Math genius to know the difference between the two.
Saying the word “please” gets the customer an instant $2.00 discount.
It is that simple. No ifs, and or buts about it.
If they say “Hello, I’d like one small coffee please,” the price drops to $1.75.
It isn’t too hard, is it? Some might think customers who wanted the lowest price are only doing it for discount’s sake. But regardless, if it becomes a practice, then it might just transpire to their next transactions even without the discount being given, don’t you think?
Austin told WDBJ7, “I decided, because I need to solve all the injustices of the world, to start charging more for people who didn’t take the time to say hello and connect and realize we’re all people behind the counter.”
The more respectful the customer is, the higher their discount. It’s a “win” for both parties: the employees get respected, customers learn how to be respectful, and they get discounts in return.
Watch the report in the video below to see the coffee shop’s funny yet brilliant idea.
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