One of your tables flags you down and points out that the silverware they just unwrapped has food on it. It’s typical to discount the customer’s meal when this happens.
What would you say?
A “Sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll be glad to take 10% off your meal.”
B “Whoever wrapped these must not have been paying attention! I’ll be sure to discount your meal tonight.”
C “Sorry! Another server wrapped the silverware last night. We’ll discount your meal, don’t worry.”
D “I’m so sorry. Let me bring you a new set. We’ll take 10% off your meal tonight.”
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D: “I’m so sorry. Let me bring you a new set. We’ll take 10% off your meal tonight.”
In this situation, the most professional and customer-oriented response is to acknowledge the issue with an apology, address the problem promptly by offering to bring a new set of silverware, and then provide a discount as a gesture of goodwill. Offering a discount right away helps to show the customer that you’re taking the issue seriously and doing everything possible to make the situation right.
This response also maintains a positive and helpful tone. It’s not the fault of the customer that the silverware was improperly wrapped, so it’s essential to offer a solution that focuses on making their experience better. Instead of blaming anyone, focusing on fixing the issue and enhancing the customer’s experience is the best approach.
Additionally, offering a specific discount, like 10%, can make the customer feel valued and appreciated, ensuring they leave the restaurant with a positive impression despite the initial setback.
Responses like A and C can seem somewhat dismissive by either not providing a clear resolution (A) or implying that the customer should just accept the situation without proper action (C). B comes across as too casual and could be interpreted as minimizing the mistake. By contrast, D strikes a good balance of addressing the issue directly, maintaining professionalism, and taking immediate action to rectify the situation.