Stay calm – They might be angry, but they are angry at what’s happened to them, not at you. Your frame of mind and demeanor can greatly influence the conversation – either positively or negatively.
Know the problem – Do not start off on a solution without having a complete understanding of the problem. Don’t stop talking with the customer until you’re very clear what happened and what steps they’ve taken to date. Review what you know and make sure you aren’t missing anything. Get as specific as you can with dates and with whom they’ve spoken.
Ask them what they want – You might need to do this several times, “peeling the onion” to get at what they really desire.
Know what you can do – Know what the limits (yours and the organization’s) are in offering a solution. Your company’s processes and systems are a mystery to your customers. Help them through the system. Don’t let them get dropped or forgotten.
Say you’re sorry – Apologize (authentically) for anything you can own – that they are frustrated, that they got an unexpected bill, etc. However, there is no need to apologize unnecessarily, or to admit fault.
Follow up – Make sure you follow through on what you say you will do. Do not make promises that you cannot keep, or on behalf of other people.
De-escalating an Irate Customer
1. The first order of business is to get a screaming customer away from other customers. An irate customer wants everyone to hear his or her complaint. If you do not fear physical harm, invite the customer away from public areas. Try to make it neutral. (Don’t use your office – the implied power could actually make the customer more irate.)
2. Focus on diffusing the anger. Acknowledge that the customer is unhappy. Remain calm and use a low, controlled tone of voice. Do not shout back at the customer. Control your body language. Don’t give advice or orders. Never touch an angry customer.
3. After you have acknowledged the customer’s anger, wait and listen.
4. If at all possible, work to a resolution of the anger before the customer leaves. Sometimes no resolution will be acceptable to both parties, but at least the issues have been heard. Giving in to a customer’s unreasonable demands is not a healthy way to resolve the issue.
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