What Makes a Good Customer?
What makes a good customer? How can you be a good customer?
How can you be the customer your service provider loves and wants to keep forever?
What Makes a Good Customer- Respect
What does respect look like from a good client?
A respectful client doesn’t ask for discounts. And doesn’t no call-no show every time and expect to reschedule after every occurrence.
Respect is one of those things that you, the customer, should give to someone in an industry that does something that you can’t do. Or even choose not to do for yourself and do to treat yourself.
A service provider of any kind is not a slave to the customers.
A good customer is not entitled! Just because you’re paying money does not open a window that makes it acceptable for you to be rude, snap at your provider or not leave room for grace for human error.
What Makes a Good Customer- Communication
A good customer will communicate that there are schedule conflicts ahead of time.
What happens when you, the client, are a no show, your service provider (whatever industry) now has a big time gap in their schedule and they aren’t able to fill it last minute. Now, they’re out of the money they were going to make during that time slot.
Now understand, life happens. Sometimes things come up, emergencies, traffic, kiddos meltdown… that’s okay!
BUT when life happens when you have a scheduled appointment it is considerate and just communicates to let your service provider know to cancel because of XYZ.
Good Customers Extend Grace
Treat humans like humans. Allow flexibility for a change in schedule, or whatever it may be.
I’m talking to you… BOTH customers and service providers!
Life happens.
Things come up.
Be respectful and considerate. Extend grace to those who need it.
Bad days happen.
Now, I’m not excusing poor behavior. Just reminding you, dear reader, that we all walk this earth and all struggle with life as it comes up.
Pour grace onto those like you would like to receive it on your bad days.
And don’t forget, dear reader, to take time for Work-Life Balance in the Salon, Preventing Burnout
Responsibility and Accountability
Are there ever exceptions to not excuse bad behavior and rudeness? No.
It’s all a matter of how you (yes, you! Not them) handle the situation. If the situation ends up being beyond repair, then perhaps it may be time to either fire your client (for help on how to navigate this process please see How to Fire a Client) or find a new service provider.
Remember, you are responsible and accountable for how YOU handle the situation. How YOU respond.
You are not responsible for how your client, or provider, whichever way the situation falls, reacts. Only yourself.
It’s better to handle the situation with grace, and in such a way that leaves you above reproach.
How others see it isn’t your responsibility.
👉 Good customers show you appreciation.
👉 Appreciation is more than a thank you.
It’s more than a tip.
This is a form of respect that grows to be more than just a stranger giving you a haircut or a pedicure (whatever the service may be).
Leaving a tip for service providers (barbers, cosmetologists, hairstylists, estheticians…) are expected and should be budgeted for. If you can’t tip for the service, you can’t afford the service.
Why is tipping important? Please see Tip Calculator for Hairstylists to understand why this is expected and this a type of respect.
There’s more to showing appreciation than just leaving a good tip and a thank you.
40 Gifts for Cosmetologists / Unique Gifts for Hairstylists
Building relationships
A professional relationship or friendship. For some, these relationships between service providers and customers continue to grow to be no less than family.
Loyalty.
Finding someone that can get the service just right every time is a big deal! And once you find them, stay with them!
✔️ Get to know your stylist, massage therapist, tattoo artist, or barista.
✔️ Be personable.
✔️ If you’re not feeling like talking. Just say so.
I guarantee no one will be offended. It’s okay you want to be quiet and just rest during your service.
I’ve never once been offended when one of my clients in my barbershop has told me that they’re tired and just want to be quiet.
This is a two-way street. It’s okay as a service provider to say the same. Or just say that you don’t want to talk but can listen if your customer wants to talk.
And voila!
These are the best suggestions I as a service provider, barber and cosmetologist, can give you, a client. And other providers, these are the things to look for in great customers that you want to keep forever.