How do I handle rude customers without being rude back?

Question

I work as a cashier in a parking garage while I get my degree (in Industrial Chemistry, just a lil bragging). I work in a nice part of town, so my customers are snobby because they are wealthy and treat me like trash because I work where I do.

There are signs that post the "fine print" for the prices there, but these snobby ppl dont read & think that I overcharge them. When I try to calmly explaing things to them, they ignore or scream at me.
My mangers tell me not to cut any slack to the customers because they should just read the signs. BUT, anytime I call my managers there to handle the irrate customers they let the customers out for free because they want to look good & don't want to lose business. Basically they want me to do their dirty work.
When the customer comes back the next day, they disrepcet me again because they expect to be let out for free again.
How do I handle this without being rude to customers or my manager? (PS. I cant quit until the end of this semester)

Answer 1

print the rules & charges in MUCH larger letters.so they can see them.post it were they can see it.
And print the charges on a paper and hand it to them to read when they say something.point to the correct charge on the paper.let them keep the paper .do NOT lower yourself and argue or even talk.,just show them facts.then smile and say i hope Y'all have a great day!!!
Good Luck with your schooling

Answer 2

HI

The most important thing is always to remain nice, what do they scream at you? Let them have their say and then highlight the price list, agree with them that you know the small print is small, explain other customers have the same problem etc etc, and empathise with them about the situation

But why would the management have the prices so small, why would they want to loose business, you should say it to the manager, and they should also value your time, i.e the real cost 'lost' by you needing to deal with irate customers, the additional time lost by your manager needing to leave their post to deal with what should be your job. It does not make much sence to me!!!

But, at the end of the day, your just doing a job, it may get tiresome, even upsetting, to deal with rude people on a daily basis but at least you know your walking away from it at the end of term, the rude people and the company your currently working for will be left with each other

Answer 3

Ask the managers if the signs can get printed with bigger writing or if you can give the regular customers a print-out of the pricing.

Keep doing what you're doing. Stay calm and explain to the the break down of the prices. Show them the sign. If they still won't stop and they demand for the manager, simply call the manager. I really don't think that there's anything else you can do about it.

I manage a rental store and I usually tell my customers that are unhappy with our prices that are more then welcome to contact the owners. I will give them a form to fill out and will forward it to our office and someone will contact them. I've never had someone actually do it.

I basically tell them not to shoot the messenger. I don't make the rules or the prices. I just have to uphold them. If the customer isn't happy, there's my door, they are more then welcome to shop elsewhere.

Answer 4

I think the best way to handle situations such as these is maybe just say something in "kindness"..it seems like some times when you react back the way they weren't intending or wanting you to..is what irritates them most and makes them feel like a fool. My mom definitely has an amount of wackos that comes into her work every day with a rude dispicable behavior. She just treats them like she is not affected with a smile or a simple kind rational answer. The more you keep your calm and stay happy, the more they will get bored..and hopefulyl **** off. (: You sound like a great girl, I hope everything is going to be better in High School.

Answer 5

Suggest to your boss to have " the fine print" Larger and he will not lose money by giving it away as he is doing now.>>so he is losing money right now<<
You can be discreet and suggestive(you now want to manipulate your boss in fixing the problem)
Point out that by having the rates in plain view and the fine print not so fine, and simple - the customers have agreed to abide by the terms in order to park.
>> Then you can add a humerous one to the front of your stall - rates charged as posted
HOWEVER ADD 10% for screaming
15% for being irate
25% for believing I overcharge
30% if I have to explain it to you<<

Answer 6

Would it be possible to make a sign with the fine print larger and post it by your window where the customer could easily see it. When they enter AND when they exit.?
Just keep smilin' and show them all you're the "bigger" person. Unfortunately there are some snooty people out there and you're not one of them. If they give you a real difficult time give them a receipt and your manager's number and they can take it up with him.

Answer 7

I hate snobby people that think that they own the world and feel superior to others. You give them the same attitude that they give to you. If they are snippy to you then you be snippy right back. They do not deserve any special services because they drive a nice car.

In my family, we have a BMW, a Mercedes and a Ford F-150 truck and when I am trying to get into line in my BMW more often than not people will just let me in but if I am driving my truck people will just let me wait and wait. My husband says the same thing about his Mercedes. It just goes to show you how different we treat people that we think have money and that we think do not.

I hope that you come back to park in that same garage when you graduate and you can park your Range Rover beside the same snobs, then diss them!!

Answer 8

The trick is to let them know they are being an ****** in a nice way. My favorite for someone screaming at me is to say very calmly and in a very nice tone, "I'm very sorry for whatever it is I did that makes you feel you have to yell at me to get your point across." How can they complain to your boss? You appologized in a nice voice? They'll usually get the point. If they don't, it's their problem. When you go home each evening, remember there are jerks in the world, but you tried to do the right thing.

Answer 9

I worked in customer service for many many years and tried a number of things. One thing always worked - always...and that was kill them with kindness. Honestly afterwards, they feel like such shmucks and as they drive away. Doesn't mean they get out for free though.

Answer 10

I know exactly what you are saying I too work as a csr. in a nice town, and the people there are just as rude, just keep a smile on your face, and tell them to talk to your manager. I usually get a piece of paper and write my boss name on it and the phone number on it so that they can call him. and just say your sorry but thats all you can do, and keep that smile on. kill them with kindness, it usually works for me. good luck.