It is important to notice that difficult customers differ by challenges and behavior. We shall breakdown how to create a better experience with every category of difficult customers.

Types of difficult customers (and how to help them)

 The contentious customer

A contentious customer will be fast to argue or fume over mistakes, technical issues, or even something you as a business didn't see as a problem before. You need to understand what is bothering, get to the bottom of why they are frustrated and use that to find a solution.

The challenging customer:

For some reason or another, a customer doesn’t trust your suggestions or thinks they know more than you do. When this happens, show the customer that you value their insights. Don't try to suggest that they should be silent and listen to your knowledge or opinions.

The impatient customer:

This type of customer wants a solution immediately and may become angry if an issue can’t be resolved right away. Ease friction by communicating often and clearly. Do your best to explain why things aren’t moving as quickly as they would like.

The vague customer:

This person may not know exactly what they need from you. They might be confused and have difficulty explaining the issue. Ask the customer plenty of clarifying questions so you can understand what they truly want.

The demanding customer:

This customer is hard to please. They may refuse to accept the outcome or ask you to do something you’re unable to do for them. Get ahead of the game by identifying their concerns as early as possible and addressing them as best you can. Set boundaries with these customers, too. Let them know what your team is capable of so they don’t have unrealistic expectations.

The best way to handle difficult customers depends on the particular scenario. Keep these suggestions in mind while also being adaptable. And of course, regardless of the situation, treat every person with empathy and respect.