By Katrina Ent
It is very important for companies to give back and thank their customers. Without customers, there would be no business. Everyone loves to be thanked. Growing up, my parents always told me to say “please” and “thank you.” I remember feeling annoyed when they told me that because it was one of the things they nagged me about the most, along with cleaning my room. Verbal thanks are important, but I think it’s even more important to show how thankful you are with someone with something tangible. I don’t expect to be showered in gifts, but sometimes a little something extra can make all the difference. It could be something as little as a thank you card, and I have come to learn how important a token of gratitude can be the older I get. I have seen companies thank their customers in the best ways.. For example, retailers do a great job with this by sending customers birthday emails. These emails may include special coupons for that particular customer to thank them for shopping in the store.
Restaurants are another example.. I am a strong advocate for Pita Pit and consider myself one of their number one customers. Because I visited their restaurant so many times, I was given a punch card. Each time I make a purchase, they punch my card. After I receive eight punches, my next purchase is free. It is a great way for them to thank their customers for making purchases at their restaurant. On the flip side,I have seen companies do a bad job of thanking their customers. A nail salon that I went to regularly had the same punch card system, but they did not reward me or other customers as well. If you got your nails done at this salon 10 times, your next purchase would be discounted by two dollars. In my mind, that is not a balanced rewards program. Getting your nails done is expensive, after all, so there needs to be a better reward for customers. I respect companies that take the time to thank their customers. Just a simple verbal or handwritten “thank you” can make a huge difference to a patron. If I am thanked for my business, I will return and I might become a loyal customer.
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