In this blog Post, we are going to be looking at types of customer services, meaning of customer services, their functions and their importance.
Table Of Contents
- Meaning of customer service.
- Types of customer service
Meaning of Customer Services
Definition: Customer services are services which a company can adopt in order to attract customers to their business and to endear itself to them. This helps in facilitating trading activities. Customer services are divided into two types: Pre-sale services and After sale services.
Types Of Customer Services
Pre-Sale services: These are services provided to the customers before the goods are bought. The services are as follows:
Functions of customer service in pre sale services
- Granting of credit: Financing or credit may be provided to the customers.
- Sorting of goods: Goods May be sorted into appropriate lots of buyers.
- Availability of Goods: The goods can be readily made available to meet emergency needs of the consumers.
- Assisting to set up storage facilities: The seller can assist in setting up storage facilities ahead of purchase of setting goods.
- Provision of sufficient information about its products: The seller can provide sufficient information about product features, how to use it and benefits to be derived from using the product. This is done true advertisement. I have an article on advertising and types of advertising [click here to join].
- Dispatching of price list and quotation: This will show the current price and terms of trade for a product.
- Giving personal attention and conducive environment: The care and attention which a seller shows the buyer can also ensure good relationship and constant patronage. the seller can create a conducive environment by providing beautiful decoration in the shop.
- Granting of discount: This is also a pre-sale services given to customers to induce sales.
AFTER SALE SERVICES
Another Types of customer services is the After sale services. These are extra services sometimes made available to a customer after he has purchased the product in order to ensure continuous patronage. This include:
Functions of customer service in after sales services
- Home delivery: The seller provides transportation to deliver the goods to customers premises.
- Free installation services: The seller can also embark on installation of customers products because of their expertise about the goods.
- Servicing, repairs and maintenance: Maintenance and servicing facilities are provided at covenant locations.
- Provision of spare parts: The seller can make provision for adequate supply of replacement parts.
- Provision of free advice on use: Information about the best way to use the product can also be provided.
- Free replacement of faulty parts under guarantee: The seller makes provision for faulty parts to be replaced, especially when the product is under guarantee or warranty.
This class is a continuation from our previous class on Public relations. To join the main class on public relations [Click Here]
Revision Questions
- What is the meaning of customer service.
- What are the types of customer service with Thier Functions in commerce.