I am sure that we would all like to have a complaint department like this at our jobs.  Unfortunately, most of the time this is not possible.  So we will have to work on having good customer service.  Like the old adage says, “The Customer is Always Right”.  This is true, up to a point.  We want the customer to have the best possible experience they can have playing in your bingo hall.  Why?  Well, you want them to keep coming and playing don’t you?  You want them to spread the word of how good your customer service to all their friends and bring those friends with them, right?  You want to make it easier on your coworkers to make it through their shift?  All of these things can be achieved through good customer service.  So, how do we achieve good customer service?  It all begins with:

1.  A Smile! Yes, I know that it can seem dumb or stupid, but if you smile at a customer, they might smile back and begin to have a good time.  Something simple as a smile can make a person’s day.  It has been said that it takes less muscles and energy to smile than it does to frown.  So go ahead and give your face muscles a rest by smiling!

2.  Greet the customer. Say hello.  If you know their name, greet them by their name.  People like to feel like they are known. Make them feel like they are VIPs coming to a big casino.  The start of a good time begins with a greeting.

3.  If they are a regular customer and normally get the same thing (packets, cards, food) all the time, have it ready for them.  You can ask them if they want the “usual”, but if you have everything ready, it saves both of you time and effort and you can easily get to the next person.

4. Chit Chat. Make small talk with the customers.  Not so much that you annoy them, but enough to let them know you are thinking of them and are truly interested in their lives.  When I moved across state to start another bingo hall, I had four customers drive two and a half hours just to play in the hall that I managed.  They thought that much of me to do that.  It made me feel good and it made me think my customer service skills were okay.

5.  Wish them “Good Luck”.  It is a simple expression.  But people still want to hear it.  If you wish them “Good Luck” and they win, it is just something that you can talk to them about.

6.  Celebrate the win. If someone wins, congratulate them.  Share in their excitement.  It makes them feel good and who knows, you might even get a tip from them!

I think this is enough for now.  Let me know if you have any customer service tips in the comments.  I would love to hear from not only employees, but players as well!