How ‘NOT’ To Thank Your Customers

Last month, I recommended my blog readers emulate a company called Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes for promoting their corporate message to their customers (click here to read my post if you missed it). This month, I share with you an example of how ‘NOT’ to communicate with your customers.

While pumping gas, I read a sign attached to the gas pump that read “Thank you for paying first with credit card or cash. You’re helping stop costly drive offs.”

My response was “You’re welcome, I think?” That’s because translated, the sign really reads “Thank you for not stealing our gas!”

This is a text book example of how NOT to communicate with your clients. Thanking 100% of your customers for not stealing is probably not the best way to build loyalty and admiration among them. This sign could have easily said “Thank you for pre-paying and being a loyal customer. Please know your business is greatly appreciated.”

Such a sign would go a long way in helping make your customers more loyal and allow them to leave with a feeling of being truly appreciated for their business instead of thanking them for not “driving off without paying.” Your customers will leave saying to themselves “You’re welcome!”

How to insult your customer