10 Easily Overlooked Customer Service Tips

Updated May 29, 2024

When was the last time you had a negative customer service experience? As a retailer, ensuring that your customers never have to ask themselves this question after visiting your store is crucial. Just know that you can transform your interactions and create a shopping experience that keeps customers returning for more.

Do you still remember that experience you had?

Of course you do! And how many people did you tell about that negative experience? Yep, probably more than one if you're like most people.

And if it was really bad, you’re still telling everyone.

If you don't want people complaining about your business, teach your team the best customer service tips and train them to use them properly.

Never assume just because you hired someone with retail sales experience, they truly know how to deliver an exceptional customer service experience.

A survey done before the pandemic began reported that 68% of young Americans felt alone because of fewer in-person social interactions. 

You have to teach them how to serve someone else to overcome their lack of soft skills in engaging shoppers and promoting stronger relationships in your community.

Here are 10 easily overlooked customer service tips to take your team, sales, and retail business to the next level.  

1. The greeting

Within 15 seconds of the shopper entering your store, one of your employees must make immediate eye contact, smile, walk up to them, and welcome them. Don't let them stand where they are and yell a greeting from across the room.

In addition, you should always greet the shopper with more than How are you? or Can I help you? You can Discover How To Properly Greet A Customer Here.

Make sure you have a genuine smile and, without hesitation, offer to help them find what they're looking for. Don’t just point them in the right direction; walk them to the location so they don't have to remember what you told them. And let’s face it, some might not have understood but were too embarrassed to say so. Then, before they walk away, hand them a shopping basket and your latest flyer; do not just ask them if they want one.

2. Stay visible and available

Be observant and pay attention to what shoppers are looking at, and then recommend other items you have that would complement them. Your customer might not have considered those items if you hadn't shown them how they could work together. In the same respect, if your customer needs something you don't carry, give them an alternative option, something you do carry, and tell them how that alternative option would benefit them just as well, if not better.

3. Use the customer’s name

For your regular customers, actively use their names in conversation; three times seems the magic formula. For shoppers you don’t know, thanking them by name after they purchase by credit card is all you can do.

4. Interact with shoppers as much as possible

Look for as many opportunities as possible to interact with your shoppers. For example, stay within hearing distance of the dressing rooms to run and get different sizes or colors. Look for shoppers who appear to be lost or confused. You know, the ones looking for a checkout counter or a restroom, and proactively help them. Shoppers hate having to find and ask someone for assistance.

5. Be unique and memorable

Offer your shoppers a unique customer experience by giving them the type of service they won't get anywhere else. For example, offer to take their picture from your phone in that outfit or piece of jewelry they like but are on the fence about purchasing. Then, text it to their phone so they can look at it again later and show it to their friends, and it helps confirm for them just how good that piece really looked.

6. Follow up

Call or text your customers after the purchase. You want to ensure everything worked correctly, the installers cleaned up afterward, or the outfit they bought rocked. This is a surefire way to make a lasting impression and gain loyal customers.

7. Remember birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events

Since you must use your CRM to enter customer information, why not set up alerts for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events so you don't forget? Ensure you set each alert to notify the customer a few days before the event so the good wishes are received before the actual day.

8. Go above and beyond

If a customer is looking for something you don't have in stock, don't just tell them you don't have it. Instead, see if it is already on order, offer to call another store, or even go online and order it for them.

9. Put your devices away

Shoppers deserve your full attention. Never answer your phone, text, or talk to someone else while you're helping a shopper, and when you are on your break, make sure shoppers can't see or hear you. They don't need to know what's happening in your personal life, nor would you want them to.

10. Show your personality

Don't be someone who never smiles, talks in a monotone voice, or comes across as unpleasant. Even if you’re in a bad mood, you don’t want to take it out on a shopper. Trust me on this one. You might be the nicest person in the world, but if you don't consciously display your personality, you will probably be misunderstood. And, always, always, always talk in full sentences. You are at work, and there’s no place for a verbal text-like conversation.

In addition, have age-appropriate conversations. If you're dealing with a senior, don't use slang or shortened words they might not understand. You never want the shopper to feel stupid.

To go deeper, see also, Retail Customer Service Measurement & Success

In Sum

Start implementing monthly customer service training sessions for your team. You can also challenge them to look at their shopping experiences at restaurants, shops, hotels, etc. to find new ways to deliver exceptional customer service. Ask them to share their observations with everyone at the next meeting.

Just because a particular customer service tactic has never been used in your store doesn't mean it wouldn't benefit you.

Doing something different will make your business stand out. People will remember how refreshing it was to receive better customer service, and they will tell their friends.