1% customers - Barista Exchange2024-03-28T08:59:27Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/1-customers?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1319467&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI've only kicked out customer…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-12-19:1688216:Comment:13287532011-12-19T01:53:33.170ZDennis McQuoidhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/DennisMcQuoid
<p>I've only kicked out customers who were offensive to staff and customers. I have asked table campers to move to a counter seat when we get busy. That rule gets explained when they ask for my wifi password. So far, no issues.</p>
<p>I've only kicked out customers who were offensive to staff and customers. I have asked table campers to move to a counter seat when we get busy. That rule gets explained when they ask for my wifi password. So far, no issues.</p> Start fucking up peoples drin…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-22:1688216:Comment:13198252011-11-22T01:57:07.491ZBenza Lancehttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/BenzaLance
Start fucking up peoples drinks?!<br />
<br />
You're going to drop your level of quality and integrity by doing so. Id also imagine your boss (unless you're your own boss) wouldn't be too happy about you wasting product, and harming his busines' rep.
Start fucking up peoples drinks?!<br />
<br />
You're going to drop your level of quality and integrity by doing so. Id also imagine your boss (unless you're your own boss) wouldn't be too happy about you wasting product, and harming his busines' rep. I agree. We use WebBeams in o…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-21:1688216:Comment:13194672011-11-21T20:06:45.159ZEmily Wiersmahttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/EmilyWiersma
<p>I agree. We use WebBeams in our store and our customers will get a code when they make a purchase. It's good for 90 minutes and if they need another, we ask that they make another purchase. We have all had our fair share of, shall we say, "problem customers", but regardless of their behavior, we are required to treat them with respect. There is nothing wrong with asking that your chairs and tables are not moved. We ask that people do not put their feet on our tables and confront them when…</p>
<p>I agree. We use WebBeams in our store and our customers will get a code when they make a purchase. It's good for 90 minutes and if they need another, we ask that they make another purchase. We have all had our fair share of, shall we say, "problem customers", but regardless of their behavior, we are required to treat them with respect. There is nothing wrong with asking that your chairs and tables are not moved. We ask that people do not put their feet on our tables and confront them when they do. There may come a time to ask people not to return (we've had to do this to a few people) but that was under only extreme circumstances. Making someone's drink wrong intentionally is only asking for trouble- especially if they find out. You can watch those positive Yelp comments disappear. There is a way to deal with customers that won't undermine your authority with your staff, hinder your customer service, or wreck your integrity. <br/> <br/>
<cite>Keith Eckert said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/1-customers?id=1688216%3ATopic%3A1312754&page=2#1688216Comment1317564"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>First, there are some resources available that limit internet wifi to paying customers (I think one company that supplies this service is Webbeams...or something like that), So when a purchase is made, the receipt has an access code for XX minutes of wifi which can vary dependent on time of day (great for busy times). If the customer runs out of time, they can buy something else. I am sure there are many companies that offer this, worth looking into. </p>
<p>Second, Good reviews = good business. Seriously this should be looked at as a marketing expense. Many customers who leave reviews do so when they are upset, so the more positives the better. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't think the "electrical problem" solutions, or poorly made drink/lousy service solutions are good ideas at all...in fact they are terrible ideas. Tell you customers the truth, or say nothing at all. If you mislead or misinform them, they will figure it out...and if they think you have ethical problems, you and your business are doomed.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> sits for 3-4 hours on his lap…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-19:1688216:Comment:13175642011-11-19T07:43:55.298ZKeith Eckerthttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/KeithE
<blockquote><p>sits for 3-4 hours on his laptop and yapping on his phone. he spends like $10 at day and has posted favorable Yelp reviews</p>
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Jason, couple thoughts on this. First, there are some resources available that limit internet wifi to paying customers (I think one company that supplies this service is Webbeams...or something like that), So when a purchase is made, the receipt has an access code for XX minutes of wifi which can vary dependent on time of day…</p>
<blockquote><p>sits for 3-4 hours on his laptop and yapping on his phone. he spends like $10 at day and has posted favorable Yelp reviews</p>
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Jason, couple thoughts on this. First, there are some resources available that limit internet wifi to paying customers (I think one company that supplies this service is Webbeams...or something like that), So when a purchase is made, the receipt has an access code for XX minutes of wifi which can vary dependent on time of day (great for busy times). If the customer runs out of time, they can buy something else. I am sure there are many companies that offer this, worth looking into. </p>
<p>Second, Good reviews = good business. Seriously this should be looked at as a marketing expense. Many customers who leave reviews do so when they are upset, so the more positives the better. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't think the "electrical problem" solutions, or poorly made drink/lousy service solutions are good ideas at all...in fact they are terrible ideas. Tell you customers the truth, or say nothing at all. If you mislead or misinform them, they will figure it out...and if they think you have ethical problems, you and your business are doomed.</p> Alex, I have to agree with Mi…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-10:1688216:Comment:13135652011-11-10T17:26:17.335ZShadowhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Shadow
<p>Alex, I have to agree with Mike on this one. I will also add that your use of profanity surely wouldn't be welcome around my customers. Hopefully it's just your way of venting/ranting and not used on a daily basis. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The common use of the phrase "the customer is always right" doesn't sit well with me. BUT some do require that extra bit of patience and attention at times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Alex, I have to agree with Mike on this one. I will also add that your use of profanity surely wouldn't be welcome around my customers. Hopefully it's just your way of venting/ranting and not used on a daily basis. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The common use of the phrase "the customer is always right" doesn't sit well with me. BUT some do require that extra bit of patience and attention at times.</p>
<p> </p> Other than my spelling stupid…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-09:1688216:Comment:13134332011-11-09T19:41:43.015ZMike McGinnesshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/miKemcKoffeeakaMikeMcGinness
<p>Other than my spelling <em>stupidest</em> wrong, intentionally making someone's beverage poorly is what indeed would be F'd up. How I'd handle it would depend on my situation. Maybe make a sign "please do not move the furniture" or "it's ok to rearrange the furniture in Your house, this is Our house". Talk to a customer one on one who ignores sign. Ask politely to leave the furniture how we have it arranged. If they refuse and still move it, quietly ask them to get up and put the furniture…</p>
<p>Other than my spelling <em>stupidest</em> wrong, intentionally making someone's beverage poorly is what indeed would be F'd up. How I'd handle it would depend on my situation. Maybe make a sign "please do not move the furniture" or "it's ok to rearrange the furniture in Your house, this is Our house". Talk to a customer one on one who ignores sign. Ask politely to leave the furniture how we have it arranged. If they refuse and still move it, quietly ask them to get up and put the furniture back where it belongs myself. If they still don't get it, ask them to leave. </p> How so?? Tell me how you woul…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-09:1688216:Comment:13132412011-11-09T17:23:26.167ZAlexhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Alex21
<p>How so?? Tell me how you would deal with a customer you feel is detrimental to your business.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Mike McGinness said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/1-customers?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1313238&x=1#1688216Comment1313238"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>That's the stupiest, most unprofessional thing I've heard in a long time.<br></br><br></br><cite>Alex said:…</cite></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>How so?? Tell me how you would deal with a customer you feel is detrimental to your business.<br/> <br/>
<cite>Mike McGinness said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/1-customers?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1313238&x=1#1688216Comment1313238"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>That's the stupiest, most unprofessional thing I've heard in a long time.<br/><br/><cite>Alex said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My solution to your problem - just start fucking up his drink. Or kick him out. You would be surprised how much respect you get from other customers when you ban someone who pisses you off from your shop! But if you're afraid of a potential backlash, just start making his drink wrong until he gets fed up and goes somewhere else.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> That's the stupiest, most unp…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-09:1688216:Comment:13132382011-11-09T17:20:02.299ZMike McGinnesshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/miKemcKoffeeakaMikeMcGinness
<p>That's the stupiest, most unprofessional thing I've heard in a long time.<br></br><br></br><cite>Alex said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My solution to your problem - just start fucking up his drink. Or kick him out. You would be surprised how much respect you get from other customers when you ban someone who pisses you off from your shop! But if you're afraid of a potential backlash, just start making his drink wrong until he gets fed up and goes somewhere…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>That's the stupiest, most unprofessional thing I've heard in a long time.<br/><br/><cite>Alex said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My solution to your problem - just start fucking up his drink. Or kick him out. You would be surprised how much respect you get from other customers when you ban someone who pisses you off from your shop! But if you're afraid of a potential backlash, just start making his drink wrong until he gets fed up and goes somewhere else.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> I understand you really dont…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-09:1688216:Comment:13129962011-11-09T16:14:50.507ZKathy Fadorsenhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/KathyFadorsen
<p>I understand you really dont want a anwser you just want to vent on us so you dont take it out on him. I get that. Sometimes guys just have to over analize everything. We all have these customers.</p>
<p>I understand you really dont want a anwser you just want to vent on us so you dont take it out on him. I get that. Sometimes guys just have to over analize everything. We all have these customers.</p> My point is if all chairs are…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-09:1688216:Comment:13131312011-11-09T08:25:54.040ZAlexhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Alex21
<p>My point is if all chairs are the same standard wooden cafe chairs, then he would have no reason to move the furniture or hog a particularly special part of the cafe. He might still have a favourite area of the cafe, but there wouldn't be any "holy grail" comfortable leather lounge chairs for him to shoot for. One of the reasons he is pissing you off is because he is misusing an arbitrary label you have placed on those particular chairs that he likes. Think like a communist-of-furniture -…</p>
<p>My point is if all chairs are the same standard wooden cafe chairs, then he would have no reason to move the furniture or hog a particularly special part of the cafe. He might still have a favourite area of the cafe, but there wouldn't be any "holy grail" comfortable leather lounge chairs for him to shoot for. One of the reasons he is pissing you off is because he is misusing an arbitrary label you have placed on those particular chairs that he likes. Think like a communist-of-furniture - everything equal, everything the same, nothing is more desirable than another.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You're only partly right in saying there is no way of predicting how the public will interact with a cafe space.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There was an architect (I apologise for forgetting his name) who designed a park. When he designed and built it he didn't put any paths in until 1 year after the park was finished. He did this because you can't count on people to use something the way it was designed, if you look at parks you will always see dirt trails that people carve out between the actual paths, shortcuts and more desirable routes, so he waited until people had trampled the grass and created their own paths; and this is where he then built the actual paths.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've had my fair share of fuckwit customers in my time that have revealed flaws in cafe design and layout. Every time I spot something like this I take mental note. In a weird way I like customers like yours - they help! To me, this customer of yours looks like this;</p>
<p>-Special chairs and areas don't always work. What I call a conversation nook, they call a quiet space to look at porn/work/chat on my laptop. Solution - Keep chairs equal.</p>
<p>-5 pumps chocolate, skim milk, extra shot, inch of kenya filter... For crying out loud! Why the fuck did I follow this "just say yes" starbucks bullshit??! Solution - "I'm sorry sir, but it's not on the menu." If this dick kicks up a fuss then just follow with a polite "We are trying to maintain a consistent and superior experience for all our customers. If customers don't order from our menu, then what is the point of having one? We can make you a great coffee from our menu, but if you want something else there is a Starbucks across the road, next door, and also one attempting to rape us from behind. By the way, did you see our communist chairs?"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mind you - these are notes for if you open another cafe in the future. It's still important to note what works and what doesn't though. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>My solution to your problem - just start fucking up his drink. Or kick him out. You would be surprised how much respect you get from other customers when you ban someone who pisses you off from your shop! But if you're afraid of a potential backlash, just start making his drink wrong until he gets fed up and goes somewhere else.</p>