By Charity Mwengi

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Handling customers is never a walk in the park,today I’m going to tell you,the different types of customers that I have encountered in my 3 and soon to be 4 years in the jewelry business.

This article can also be informative to people in other business sectors.

The Designer

Have you met the customer who always has an opinion on how something should have been designed in a way that pleases them? and apparently they think your design is wrong.

I have met so many of those and the discussion is never about the price of the jewelry,infact they never ask about the price it’s always about the designs and colors they prefer.

No matter how many pieces of jewelry you present to them they never find their taste and none is appealing to them.

If you are like me you will go back and make another piece of jewelry as per their instructions,only for them to find another flaw again.

I learnt my lesson,such a client does not want to buy from you and they’re hoping you get the hint.

If you are clueless like I was when I began business, you will find yourself making a zillion pieces.

The Critic Customers

There is nothing wrong with criticizing, we grow from getting positive criticism.

However I do have a problem with criticism that does not come from a place of love.

This type of a client goes around criticizing your work negatively to stop people from buying from you, and they will never ever say it to your face.

This is what makes their criticism not genuine because if you have an issue with a product I believe you should contact your seller and work things out.

The Model Customers

Have a seat and let’s watch the model try on all the accessories, clothes,etc in your store/shop.By now you already know what I mean.

This client tries on every piece of jewelry and at the end of it all they do not buy anything.Why?nothing pleases them.

I have been around such people and I’ll tell you this most do that out of a habit.

I will Be Back Customer

This type of customer promises to purchase from you next time,and they either come back or don’t .I’ll be honest a large number never returns.

The reasons could be they got a better deal elsewhere,they realized your products are not what they needed,priorities changed,they don’t have money,or they met the critic remember our number 2 customer type.

Its up to you to convince them to buy before they leave and promise to come back.

The Explorer

This customer claims to have traveled/walked different parts of the world,and they have seen the products you are selling been sold at cheaper price ,so your prices are high.

That’s when business owners use the famous phrase go buy the products wherever they are sold cheap.

This might sound rude but its true, let’s be realistic if you walk into a supermarket and you find a certain product that you needed is being sold at a high price.

You’ll obviously choose a cheaper product as a substitute.So you left the expensive one and bought the cheaper one.

Note this,most of the time these customers use this tactic to trick you into lowering your prices. 

While in reality they don’t even know any other place where products similar to yours are being sold.This is among the most famous lies in business.

Did you know Jumia Kenya sells a wide variety of beads including the beads used to make the famous evil eye bracelets have a look using this link https://kol.jumia.com/s/E9a3wjk

The Debtor

Judging from the title this customer owes you money,you sold to them on credit for them to pay you later on.

Among your debtors there will never miss a couple of customers who fail to pay you and that’s it,you’ll never hear from them again.

Before you think of running a business on credit know this, people develop habits.

They’ll get used to getting your products for free and after they exit your shop they will get into the next store, purchase other products pay instantly and yet they had just told you they don’t have money.

Before you come at me with budgeting claims,I know how budgeting works so as they budget money for other people’s products they should budget for yours as well.

Have you ever heard people in the market whispering how they can’t buy from a certain shop without money because that seller never sells on credit?and if you observe, majority of the buyers who buy there try above and beyond to ensure they have money before approaching that shop.

I’m not saying do not sell on credit,be strategic about it,analyze the benefits and losses and be clear to yourself whether you’re running a business or a charity organization.

The ordinary customer

There is nothing much to say about this type of a customer,other than they pay on time,if they have complaints they let you know,they are understanding,patient and they keep it business no talks outside business. 

Don’t let all these scare you from venturing into business,its a journey that is fun,challenging ,rewarding,mind blowing etc.People will always be who they are.

I mean a person will not change their personality or who they are because they have come to purchase from you,No.Don’t take it personal and don’t tolerate disrespect either. 

I also make jewelry DIY check them on my website www.blogwiththehuntress.co.ke 
I would love to hear you from you,the type of customers you have encountered so comment down below
Email blogwiththehuntress@gmail.com