Gimme some milk.

Jayne ,'Jaynestown'


Spike's Bitches 47: Someone Dangerous Could Get In  

[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.


Connie Neil - Feb 27, 2013 6:34:50 am PST #26771 of 30001
brillig

Can you say something like "There were two issues previously which were resolved to the customer's stated satisfaction. The third issue involved circumstances beyond our control which we resolved using the dog's safety as the priority but which the customer did not agree with. We did not believe that free service was the correct response."

Short, acknowledges history, states bare facts.


brenda m - Feb 27, 2013 6:34:52 am PST #26772 of 30001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there

Honestly, your recap makes those situations sound worse than they were. I would delete this part:

We discounted his service on both occasions, fired the first employee and sanctioned the second.

I would also delete your last sentence. That is going down a road that has no upside to it.

In this case, I could not give into his demand. It would not have been fair to blame the walker for doing right.

I'm not sure I follow how giving a fee walk is blaming the walker?


sj - Feb 27, 2013 6:39:13 am PST #26773 of 30001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."

Can you say something like "There were two issues previously which were resolved to the customer's stated satisfaction. The third issue involved circumstances beyond our control which we resolved using the dog's safety as the priority but which the customer did not agree with. We did not believe that free service was the correct response."

This, but I would explain the third issue more fully, which I still don't understand. Was a different lease used than the customer wanted?


le nubian - Feb 27, 2013 7:20:41 am PST #26774 of 30001
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

Bonny,

This Q may not be helpful, but I am trying to be. Can you just give the customer $20 and ask that the customer not come back? More of your time and attention is being spent than $20 at the point and you seem not to want this person as a long-time customer. Refund and never book that person again.


Laura - Feb 27, 2013 7:27:56 am PST #26775 of 30001
Our wings are not tired.

you can not please all of the people all of the time, much as we try.
some folks are just jerks, and nothing you can do will change that.
can you write a rebuttal to a complaint on Angie's List?
can you refund the $20, and say to the customer, "I'm sorry it has come to this. Please accept this with our apology. We do not wish to serve you anymore". It could be the best $20 ever spent. Think of how much more headaches he will cause, and how much that hassle is worth to *not* have.

What omnis said. I am a small biz owner and each time my gut tells me that a customer should be 'fired' because they are crazy/unreasonable/evil it has always been the best plan to say goodbye as quickly as possible. $20 or $200 or $2000 is not worth dealing with people that cannot be pleased. After the first couple of issues it was not going to be likely that he could be pleased anyway.


JZ - Feb 27, 2013 7:28:30 am PST #26776 of 30001
See? I gave everybody here an opportunity to tell me what a bad person I am and nobody did, because I fuckin' rule.

I think Connie's rewording is nigh perfect, as are omnis's and LeN's "Here's your $20, now please never come back."


beekaytee - Feb 27, 2013 8:00:05 am PST #26777 of 30001
Compassionately intolerant

Thanks so much, everyone. I really appreciate your suggestions.

I explained the third incident more fully and used Connie's language. (thanks!)

We did not refund the $20, and went ahead with including his threat in the reply because, basically, he was blackmailing us.

By the time he posted his remarks, it was too late for any additional negotiation.

In the overall scheme of things, I allowed myself to get way too upset about this because, on balance, our 'scorecard is running at 98% positive in a business that is highly emotional.

I figure we're doing okay.

I was just floored by this guy's gall.

Gotta run to a super scary doc appt.


Connie Neil - Feb 27, 2013 8:08:12 am PST #26778 of 30001
brillig

I really should have gone into advertising, I'm good at written BS.


sj - Feb 27, 2013 8:29:35 am PST #26779 of 30001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."

The hematologist office called. My doctor does not think my current iron levels are a problem, so I will see him again in three months. I know it is weird to wish something to be bad, but I am so frustrated right now.


omnis_audis - Feb 27, 2013 8:50:30 am PST #26780 of 30001
omnis, pursue. That's an order from a shy woman who can use M-16. - Shir

I really should have gone into advertising, I'm good at written BS.
Advertising? Pfft. If you truly are gifted at BS, then you need to go into politics!

t /snark