Have you ever heard the adage, "the customer is always right?" Yes? Well, it doesn't apply to entrepreneurs.

No, I haven't lost my marbles. It's true. This CAN NOT apply for home-based businesses, and you'd better believe I'm going to tell you why.

NOTE: Before you go getting "boot happy," realize that this article is NOT to be followed as standard customer service procedure! It should be used with care, very rarely, and hardly at all. Knowing how to deal with difficult customers is imperative for quality customer service.

A small business owner simply can not afford to treat all of his or her prospects and customers with the same level of service.

Hear me out.

Small business owners need to be selective, to a degree, in order to keep business running smoothly, and to satisfy the prospects that DESERVE satisfaction.

You have to become the type of business owner that would rather kick a few of the "bums" to the curb and give other customers excellent service, than to try to please everybody all of the time ... which just *isn't* going to happen.

By adopting a rule of "the customer is always right," business owners can set themselves up for financial suicide.

Here's why:

Small businesses are just that -- small -- and are ordinarily run by only ONE very dedicated person. And no matter how much they'd like to think so, this one person can't be all things to ALL people.

For this simple reason, entrepreneurs run a very high risk of spreading themselves too thin. When this happens, business (and profit) is sure to suffer.

"So, how do I avoid this," you ask?

It's simple, really.

1. Target your advertising to attract the RIGHT kinds of customers. The "good" kind.

Avoid using hype and never, ever, under ANY circumstances, try to advertise your business or service to seem better than it actually is.

If you advertise to people that are looking for hyped-up offers and unrealistic promises, you're ASKING for trouble.

2. Work only with customers who are willing to work with YOU.

Yes, the customer is usually right in most cases, but no one is right ALL the time. And reasonable people are the ones that realize this. They're also the ones you want to work with.

Have you ever had a customer that, no matter what you said, or what you proposed, they were STILL dissatisfied? Even if you agreed to do EXACTLY what they asked you do, AND MORE, to solve whatever problem they were having?

This type of disgruntled, always unhappy customer is just looking for trouble, and if you're not careful, you could be their next gullible target.

3. Don't stand to be treated rudely or disrespectfully.

If you're a successful, professional business owner, it means that you're always willing to make amends and BE FLEXIBLE to try to please your customers, and correct any situation in which you were at fault.

And by default, since you're the type of businessperson who respects your customers, you should also receive the very same level of respect FROM your customers.

If you don't, and you've honestly tried everything reasonably within your power to make them happy, kick that customer to the curb! They'll literally be more trouble than they're worth later on down the line.

4. Focus 99.5% of your energy and attention on your "good" customers, and you'll always be successful.

Don't fall for the old "they just want to be heard" garbage. If someone wants attention, they should act like adults and SPEAK UP. Being obnoxious to get attention is for two year olds. (And even THAT gets my goose. ;-))

I understand that people have bad days. They make mistakes. But that's no reason OR excuse to submit yourself to someone else's disrespect, day after day. When it becomes a recognizable pattern, it's time to think about telling that customer to hit the road.

Just refund their money, and send them on their not-so-merry way. You'll feel SO much better when you do!

In Conclusion...

A difficult, troublesome customer can take SEVERAL times as much work and effort to attend to, than a customer that's willing to be reasonable. Don't waste your time and sacrifice your happiness by subjecting yourself to abuse.

Is it REALLY worth that extra $29 (or however much your product is)?

And for anyone that challenges you when you adapt this way of thinking, remember ... you don't have to answer to them. Let THEM have the headache of dealing with irate customers.

Let 'em have 'em all!

Ultimately, these clueless folk are saving YOU the trouble of dealing with the crazies in the long run. Thank them for it. ;-)

TIP: Wondering how to turn respectfully unhappy customers into your best, most active source of business referrals? Read "How to Turn Unhappy Customers Into Raving Fans".

Knowing when to draw the line is imperative. Good luck!