7 secrets to super customer service

Feel like you've been wronged? These strategies can turn just about any company rep into your avenger.

In the past year, my wireless carrier refunded me $50 in international roaming charges that were my fault; airline reps saved me hundreds by rebooking my delayed or canceled flights for free; and my sofa was reupholstered at no charge, long after the one-year warranty was up.

My list goes on. I'm either extremely lucky or extraordinarily demanding, right? Nope. I'm just good at getting the companies I do business with to treat me well -- and to do the right thing when a situation goes awry.

In an age of deteriorating customer service -- two out of three consumers switched at least one service provider last year because of poor treatment, a recent survey by Accenture found -- that's no small feat. But it's one you can achieve too.

After consulting with customer service experts, psychologists, industry insiders, and the smartest consumers around (MONEY readers, natch), I've arrived at the secrets to getting superb service that follow.


Ismat Sarah Mangla @Money - Last updated December 13 2011: 4:48 PM ET
Join the Conversation
'My secret to super customer service'

From a free lawnmower and swankier hotel room to a coveted seat on another flight after a cancellation, these 10 consumers have mastered the art of getting what they want from customer service reps.

Find Homes for sale
  • Property Type
  • Find a home in:
    New York | Atlanta | Chicago | Los Angeles
    Washington D.C | Houston | Philadelphia | More options
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
 

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.