Has anyone been bullied by a customer with threats and such? What did you do?

[SKINACFE]

Has anyone been bullied by a customer with threats and such? What did you do? I recently experienced that with a "potential client" and she gave threatened me and belittled me calling me " you people" and more . . . .

[HC_Charlie]

Hello @SKINACFE I'm sorry you had an experience like this with a customer. I have not have an experience like this, I am fortunate my customers have been very nice. I would take a zero tolerance approach to bullying (both in personal life and business). I've found that people treat you the way to allow them to treat you...at the first instance of unacceptable behavior it's time to cut your loses. NO potential client is worth drama, abuse, or any disagreements. And if behavior becomes threatening or assaulting, make it clear that appropriate law enforcement or legal action will be taken.

As a business owner, YOU set the tone for your business and what is acceptable behavior by your customers. This is not an area for negotiation. Send a calm but clear message and clearly define to this customer that this behavior is not appropriate and/or illegal. And if necessary, document every action if needed for future litigation or prosecution. Bullies tend to move on if they don't find an easy target.

Good luck to you and your business and I hope you find resolution to this concern.

[VanKalkerFarms]

@SKINACFE unfortunately, I see horrible people every day as customers. We average 400-800 people a day at each store  Right now as with most industries, there are supply chain issues.  So we are unable to get ingredients for quite a few of our products so we do not have our full line of products every day.  Well, some people just get really upset when they can't have their favorite donut or whatever and have a meltdown in the store.  Some just get all political and start yelling about the president etc, others take it out on the ladies working, who have literally 0 control over what ingredients the nations largest bakery supplier delivers to us even if we ordered it, so I have to step in and ask them to get a change in attitude or to leave.   I explain to them that obviously I too want to have my best selling products in-store and it has nothing to do with this lady you are screaming at over an F'n donut.  Like do you process in your head that you are screaming over a donut?  I'd say 90% of people I can get to calm down but here's still the few I have to physically escort out.

[JK_Fiber_Art]

Hi SKINACFE,

You're not alone - I'm quite sure that most small business owners have experienced the "entitled customer" - you know the type of person who comes into your business and thinks they know more about what you do than you.  We don't take it personal anymore and sometimes even have some fun with it - some of these people don't have a  clue that we have actually turned the situation around on them.  We actually keep a running list of all the rude and/or stupid comments that people say and when you peruse through the list, it's really quite funny.  Just remember, it's your business and you really don't need their business.

JK

[SKINACFE]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. Have a blessed week!

[DinaLRosenberg]

it seems these days when customers don't get their way they melt down and have tantrums. We take each on a case by case basis, tending to over-give to keep the customer happy. When I was getting my MBA we did a lot of cat work around Norstrom and their brand promise of exceptional service and that has stuck with me through the years.

Of course, you can't give away everything all the time- and we have been known to "fire" a few customers that had expectations and attitudes that didn't meet our standard of service. 

Have firm boundaries. You must not allow people to speak to you disrespectfully and vice versa. You can always tell your customer, I would be more than happy to speak to you calmly, but will not tolerate you speaking to me in this manner, so feel free to call me back or come back when you can be calm.