What is difference between a Customer and a Client ?

Question

What is difference between a Customer and a Client ?

Answer 1

Main Entry: cli·ent
Pronunciation: 'klI-&nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French client, from Latin client-, cliens; perhaps akin to Latin clinare to lean -- more at LEAN
1 : one that is under the protection of another : DEPENDENT
2 a : a person who engages the professional advice or services of another b : CUSTOMER c : a person served by or utilizing the services of a social agency d : a computer in a network that uses the services (as access to files or shared peripherals) provided by a server
3 : CLIENT STATE
- cli·ent·age /-&n-tij/ noun
- cli·en·tal /klI-'en-t&l, 'klI-&n-/ adjective
- cli·ent·less /'klI-&nt-l&s/ adjective

customer
One entry found for customer.


Main Entry: cus·tom·er
Pronunciation: 'k&s-t&-m&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English custumer, from custume
1 : one that purchases a commodity or service
2 : an individual usually having some specified distinctive trait

Answer 2

I am not very much certain as to this but I believe that a Customer buys a service or commodity and the relation between the customer and the provider is short term, like a customer to a Nokia showroom. Whereas a client engages the service of a service provider, He is dependent on the provider and the relationship is long term, like a doctor-patient relation.

Answer 3

A customer is someone who purchases or rents something from an individual or organisation.

While a client means the person; firm or corporate body together with any subsidiary or associated Company as defined by the Companies Act 1985 to which the Applicant is introduced;

Answer 4

well the difference is a customer is a person that just goes into a place to shop and buy things and a client is a person that pays a set amount of money for any kind of services.

Answer 5

A customer is a general consumer who walks into a business because of it's convenience, or preference. A client specifically seeks the service provided.

Answer 6

A customer is a person whom spends money on your product and/or service. A client is a person whom you work with that may give you information and/or product support for a long period of time.

Answer 7

I have no idea if this is an "official" answer. But, to me a customer is a one or two-time quick transaction, whereas a client is a consistent repeat of products or services.

Answer 8

Customer is a person who is purchasing the 'product' regularly. For example, provisional shop, jewellery shop etc.

Client is a person who uses the service from the service provider that too particular service like legal advice, accountancy service etc. This can't be purchased from any one ie., we can able to purchase only from specialists.

Answer 9

Customer is a person with whom you deal afresh each time..example in stores, you buy something and the transaction ends then and there, the next time you go in and buy something else it is a fresh transaction.
Client is a continuous relationship example with an attorney, it is a continuous relationship till the case is over. it is the same matter that is discussed over a period of many sessions, and has continuity.