Categories: Customers

How to Deal With an Angry Teenage Customer

Summer is here, and with this wonderful, warm season teens descend upon all kinds of businesses, flush with extra cash and time to kill. Teenagers make great customers for businesses, but when they can’t always get what they want, trouble can easily start. So how do you deal with angry teenage customers without losing your cool? Our guest poster Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, stepped in today to give us tips on how to keep calm and carry on with your youthful summertime customer base.

When dealing with an irritated teen customer, you have to first remain calm. This can be difficult, but it’s important to keep your cool to prevent the situation from escalating.

Next, identify the problem. This can also be a challenge, especially if the teenager is more intent on causing a scene than actually having a problem resolved. However, you must do your best to calm the person down. Explain that you’re there to help, and that no one is trying to rip them off. Far too many consumers think the odds are stacked against them when registering a complaint with a business. Any savvy business owner knows that excellent customer service is a cornerstone to the success of their business, and dealing with unhappy consumers can definitely put your resolve to the test.

Once you understand the problem, work toward finding a quick and satisfactory solution that satisfies both sides. Teenagers just want to be heard, and aren’t necessarily looking for any monetary compensation. If they are, and their complaint is at least somewhat legitimate, consider offering them a refund or store credit. By taking an initial loss, you may earn yourself a repeat customer.

Follow Money Crashers on Twitter @MoneyCrashers and find out more at moneycrashers.com.

Deborah Sweeney

Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With extensive experience in the field of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah provides insightful commentary on the benefits of incorporation and trademark registration. Education: Deborah received her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pepperdine University, and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in corporate and intellectual property law. Experience: After becoming a partner at LA-based law firm, Michel & Robinson, she became an in-house attorney for MyCorporation, formerly a division in Intuit. She took the company private in 2009 and after 10 years of entrepreneurship sold the company to Deluxe Corporation. Deborah is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with some of the top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites including Forbes, Business Insider, SCORE, and Fox Business, among others. Fun facts/Other pursuits: Originally from Southern California, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin and Christopher, and practicing Pilates. Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Deborah, and MyCorporation, have previously been honored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s List of the Valley’s Largest Women-Owned Businesses in 2012. MyCorporation received the Stevie Award for Best Women-Owned Business in 2011.