[daysdeepclean]

I have just this minute recieved a phone call from a company asking for "Clair"
"Do you not mean Mrs Day?" I asked....

I would never dream of addressing my customers by their first name unless I was asked to. I suppose I'm old fashioned that way, but surely it comes accross more professional to call prospects and custys Mr Smith for example or Mrs Fletcher, or if you're not sure, Sir or Madam.....

[derek west]

i always ask for a first name and use it, friendly first, pro second, but each to there own, i'm not knocking professional first and friendly second, its just the way i run my business.
derek

[Simon Gerrard]

I wouldn't dream of calling a customer by there first name. I think to do so risks appearing overly familiar and disrespectful and perception on the part of the customer is everything.
I don't like people calling me Simon if they are a stranger to me, neither do I like being called mate so I don't do it to other people.

Simon

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Sir or Madam unless I am invited to call them by their first name.

If I go into a shop and the assistant calls me mate - they lose the sale, it's a pet hate of mine.



Steve

[chosker]

Mr or Mrs unless they introduce themselves by first name - I follow their lead, if in doubt Mr or Mrs. Most clients say '' this is Mrs Smith" on the answer phone - follows this is how they want to be known!

I always feel a bit awkward when people only leave their first name and I then have to call up and ask for John or Stephen - makes me feel a  bit awkward - like i'm pretending to be their friend or something!

Funnily enough though, I hate people using my surname - would rather be called by my first name... strange world!

[Jim_77]

Exactly!

Some customers feel more comfortable when you're on familiar terms with them, whilst some prefer to keep you at arms length...keep you in your place almost.... by being more formal.

As Mr. Chosker says (), you follow their lead, it isn't a one size fits all approach.  That's part of the skill in sussing customers out so you can sell the most to them

[clinton]

I find it more with older peple calling them by there first names.

Younger people i find usually give there first names.

Supose its as jim says and suss it out .

Myself i dont mind and like being called by my first name

[Shaun_Ashmore]

The idea really is to get your feet under t'able so if you start off with sir and madam and progress to first names you have then got a customer for life but you have to do it slowly and on their terms (well at least make them think it's their terms)

Shaun

[Matt Lindus]

The creatures that ring us are dealt with with by a lesser man than myself.


Matt

[Mike Osbourne]

You can't please everyone all of the time. I call people by their first name, if they pulled me up on it I would apologise and make a mental note to put 'up own arse' in my notes.

[Matt Lindus]

One doesn’t take kindly to the more humbler of man, yes they may clean my carpets but no I dont expect them to be so brazen as to speak to me.
The working man may fill his buckets in my servants quarters and progress on his work productively but more importantly, silently.

They will be requested to speak as and when the situation arises otherwise the personnel in our home remain quiet at all times. Failing this they will be dragged back to the slums of which they inhabit.

I do hope I make myself clear to all you working men.

Matt                   

[Mike Osbourne]

Of course there's good money to be had by sucking up to the Mrs Buckets, a flat cap and overalls has to be worth at least 10% on the price of a clean, touching your forelock another 10%.

[Ricky M]

start with pees and Qs then see how they are and how they would like to be addressed .
EVERY client is different and wants a slightly different treatment .

[robert meldrum]

A touch of inverted snobbery on here............rather sad, revealing and revealing !

[Andy Foster]

Agree with Ricky, Mr or Mrs/Sir or Madam first and only christian names if they tell me.

Got quite a few jobs just through being polite.  Costs nothing.

[Joe H]

Of course there's good money to be had by sucking up to the Mrs Buckets, a flat cap and overalls has to be worth at least 10% on the price of a clean, touching your forelock another 10%.

I like it, Mike. 

[GWCS]

Sir and madam all the time, its saves having to remember their names When they say "i told you to call me ?" I just say , sorry i cant help it, its the way ive been brought up 

I even thanked my Indian delivery guy the other day when he handed over my take away "Thank you Sir"

 :