"The customer is always right" is not what was actually said.

[Joshua Farrell]

"The customer is always right" is not what was actually said, by the person it was originally attributed to.

“The customer is always right in matters of taste” is a quote by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridge's Department Store. The quote highlights the subjective nature of taste and the importance of respecting customers' buying decisions.

While the customer in a business wants things a certain way, it shouldn't lead to the behavior seen in places, where no matter what, the customer is somehow always right. No, they are only right in their taste preferences, not in regards to everything. Not to mention how a store sells to people, or takes returns and refunds.

Part of this culture of believing that the customer is somehow always right, and not taking into account personal taste of things, a ton of managers and businesses somehow got it into their collective ways of running things that you must placate the customer, so they don't leave unhappy. This has lead to a wide spread phenomenon of what is known here in the U.S., as "Karen" and "Ken". An entitled person that feels so much so entitled, that you must cater to them, regardless of what is actually true or false.

What is your opinion on the matter?

 

[Kera]

It is true that so many people have used the customer is always right cliche to misbehave at business people.

 

[eLdavis]

Even before seeing this post, I have always believed in being fair, if the customer does something wrong, I point it out to them rather letting them do what they want simply because they are customers.

 

[Augusta]

Even before seeing this post, I have always believed in being fair, if the customer does something wrong, I point it out to them rather letting them do what they want simply because they are customers.

That's right you just have to let them know where they got it wrong. There's no need condoning bad behavior simply because the person is a customer

 

[Fidelia]

I don't have the time to argue with customers when it comes to their choices. They are always right with that. But not always right with conduct and behaviour.

 

[Starmix]

That was only the opinion of those who never experienced a rude customer. In my small business, I encountered a rude customer who wanted to devour my staff. I am also an impulsive type so I argued with her. She wanted to be the first to be entertained but she fell in line late, so she should wait for her turn. To make the story short, I called the guard to remove her. I hate a nosy and bossy customer.

 

[Fidelia]

Customers are not always right. I have actually seen customers make wrong choices and come back to later regret and complain to me.

 

[Springtime]

Customers are not always right. There are customers who make unreasonable demands. In such case, the business should not entertain them. What is important for the business is customer centric. Provide products which meet with customer needs and offer great customer service.

 

[Starmix]

It's wrong to say that customers are always right. There are many of them demanding unreasonably. They need to taste their own medicine.

 

[Kross]

Do you know that there are some customers that want attention naturally in their lives and would come to your shop feeling that you should give them special attention and if you don't, they implode.

 

[Xtynehappy]

On the most business set up, when they say that a customer is always right means on almost every aspect on the business.