Never say NO to your customers.

Well... I don't mean that literally.

In my past life I did a few years in customer service. I spent a little time watching "The Phone Doctor" and learning how to deal with irate customers and difficult situations. The one thing that really stuck is how to tell your customers, "No." Without saying, "No". It's not as complicated as it sounds, let me elaborate!

Instead of saying, "No, you can't do that." keep your customers focused on the positive by telling them what they CAN do. Let me show you some examples:

Customer asks, "Can I use my hostess credit on my half price item?"
I answer, "Hostess credit can only be used on full price items. Was there something else in the catalog that you like to go with your half price wallet?"

Another example:

Customer asks, "Can I order a Stand-Tall Insert?"
I answer, "The Stand-Tall Insert was exclusively offered in May, but I'll shoot you an email if it makes a reappearance!"
Customer responds, "Oh, man! Why do they always do that?"
 I say, "Are you in my customer group on facebook? We need to get you in there so you get updates on the things you want before their gone from now on!"

Another example:

Customer asks, "I'm letting my sister use one of my half price items, can we have that shipped straight to her?"
I answer, "All of the hostess rewards are shipped together all on the hostesses order. How sweet of you to let your sister use one of your deals!"

One more example:

Customer asks, "Hey! My cousin wants to place an outside order but it's a gift that she needs by November 7th and my party isn't until November 3rd. Can she order now and it count towards my party?"

I answer, "Only orders that we submit when we close your party will count towards your party total. I'm happy to help your cuz with her order, though. I'll give you a free gift at your party for the referral! Thanks, girl!"

Do you see how I'm telling the customer no without ever using the word "NO"? Cool right!? That helps your customer focus on the positive and what they CAN do instead of lingering in disappointment over little restrictions.

Let me know if this quick tip helps you have happy and more satisfied customers :D