Customer Service Quotes to Inspire You at Work

What do you think of when you hear the words “customer service”? Do you imagine a friendly voice on the phone, a helpful chatbot, or a smiling face at the counter? Or do you think of long wait times, frustrating interactions, and unresolved issues? 

Most customers want to get the mentioned former experience rather than the latter. That’s why businesses need to cultivate a culture of an intricate customer-centric approach. However, this can be challenging at the beginning.

In this blog, we will share some of the best customer service quotes from experts, leaders, and celebrities. These quotes will inspire you to improve your own customer service skills, motivate your team, and delight your customers. 

Types of Customer Service Quotes

Customer service quotes are a great way to inspire and motivate your team, as well as to show your appreciation and gratitude to your customers. They also help you communicate your brand values and vision while attracting and retaining loyal customers.

However, not all customer service quotes are created equal. Different types of customer service quotes serve different purposes and bear different messages. Let’s explore the type of customer service quotes:

Inspirational Customer Service Quotes

Inspirational quotes inspire you and your team to go above and beyond expectations and create memorable experiences for your consumer. You will feel more ready to overcome challenges and difficulties when you realize what they are saying and help you keep a positive attitude.

Some examples of inspirational customer service quotes are:

1. How you think about your customers influences how you respond to them. – Marilyn Suttle, customer service speaker, and coach

The quote by Marilyn Suttle implies that your mindset affects your behavior toward your customers. You will treat them with respect and empathy if you consider them valuable partners. You will treat them with impatience and indifference if you consider them annoying distractions. Therefore, it is important to cultivate a positive and service-oriented attitude towards your customers, as this will help you build trust and loyalty with them.

1. You’ll never have a product or price advantage again. They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied. – Jerry Fritz, customer service speaker, and trainer

In this quote, Jerry Fritz emphasizes the importance of customer service culture for businesses. He argues that product and price are not enough to differentiate a business from its competitors because they can be easily replicated. However, a strong customer service culture is unique and hard to copy. It creates loyal customers and a positive reputation. Therefore, businesses should build and maintain a customer service culture that reflects their values and mission.

1. Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. – Damon Richards, customer service expert and speaker

One of the most important skills in customer service is empathy. Empathy means putting yourself in the customer’s shoes and understanding their feelings, needs, and expectations. When you show empathy, you demonstrate that you care about the customer as a person, not just as a source of revenue. You also build trust and rapport, leading to customer loyalty and satisfaction. To show empathy, you need to listen actively, acknowledge the customer’s emotions, apologize sincerely if something went wrong, and offer a solution that meets their needs. Doing this can turn a negative situation into a positive one and make the customer feel valued and respected.

1. Customer service is an opportunity to exceed your customer’s expectations. – John Jantsch, marketing consultant, and author

John Jantsch, a marketing consultant, and author, said that customer service is an opportunity to exceed your customer’s expectations. This means that you should not only meet their needs but also go beyond them and surprise them with something extra. For example, you could offer a discount, a free gift, a referral bonus, or a personalized thank-you note. Doing this shows your customers that you care about them and value their business. You also make them more likely to recommend you to others and return for more. Customer service is a powerful marketing tool that can help you grow your business and stand out from the competition.

1. The customer is why we are here. If we take good care of them, they’ll give us a good reason to come back. – Jenny McKenzie, former CEO of McDonald’s UK

This quote captures the essence of customer service and customer loyalty. It reminds us that our customers are the reason we exist and the source of our success. It also challenges us to always deliver value and satisfaction to our customers and to treat them with respect and appreciation. By doing so, we can build long-term relationships with our customers and earn their trust and loyalty.

Educational Customer Service Quotes

Educational quotes teach you and your team something new and valuable about customer service. They can be about best practices, tips, strategies, or insights. These quotes help you to learn from experts and leaders in your field.

Some examples of customer service quotes are:

1. Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it.– Peter Drucker, management consultant, and author.

This quote stresses the importance of focusing on the outcomes and benefits that the customer receives from our service or product rather than on the features or processes that we provide. It also implies that quality is not a fixed standard but a relative and subjective measure that depends on the customer’s needs and preferences.

1. The key is to set realistic customer expectations and then not just meet them, but exceed them — preferably in unexpected and helpful ways.- Richard Branson

The quote is by Richard Branson, a well-known entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group. The quote emphasizes the importance of setting realistic customer expectations and exceeding them, preferably in unexpected and helpful ways. This means businesses should aim to meet customer expectations and go above and beyond them. By doing so, businesses can build customer loyalty, increase customer satisfaction, and create a positive reputation for their brand.

1. Loyal customers, they don’t just come back, they don’t simply recommend you, they insist that their friends do business with you.” – Chip Bell, customer loyalty consultant, and author. 

This quote illustrates the power and value of loyal customers who not only repeat their purchases but also become advocates and promoters of our brand. It also implies that loyalty is not something that can be bought or forced but something that has to be earned and nurtured.

1. Every contact we have with a customer influences whether or not they’ll come back. We have to be great every time, or we’ll lose them. – Kevin Stirtz, Customer Service Speaker and Author

This quote by Kevin Stirtz emphasizes the importance of customer service in building loyalty and retention. It suggests that every interaction with a customer is an opportunity to impress and earn their trust or to disappoint them and lose their business. 

1. Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. – Mother Teresa, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

This quote by Mother Teresa, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, expresses the power of kindness in a simple and eloquent way. She suggests that although kind words may seem insignificant or effortless, they have a lasting impact on the people who hear them and the world around them. Kindness can create positive ripple effects that go beyond our expectations and imagination.

Appreciative Customer Service Quotes

Appreciative quotes are used to express gratitude to your customers. You can use these quotes to thank your customer for their loyalty, feedback, testimonial, or referrals. These quotes help you build trust and rapport with your customers. 

Here are some examples of appreciative customer service quotes:

1. Thank you for choosing us. We appreciate your trust and confidence in our products and services.

This quote expresses gratitude for the customer’s decision to buy from you and reassures them that they made a good choice. It also implies that you value their loyalty and satisfaction. This quote can be used by any business that sells products or services to customers.

1. We are honored to have you as our customer. You are the reason we exist and strive to do our best every day.

This quote shows respect and admiration for the customer and acknowledges their importance to your business. It also conveys a sense of passion and dedication to serving them well. This quote can be used by any business that wants to build a strong relationship with its customers.

1. You have been a great customer and we want to thank you for your continued support. As a token of our appreciation, we would like to offer you a special discount on your next purchase.

This quote rewards the customer for their loyalty and repeats business, and encourages them to buy more from you. It also creates a sense of reciprocity and generosity. This quote can be used by any business that wants to increase customer retention and sales.

1. We are always happy to hear from you. Your feedback helps us improve our products and services and deliver the best value to you.

This quote invites customers to share their opinions and suggestions and shows that you care about their needs and expectations. It demonstrates that you are open to learning and growing from their feedback. This quote can be used by any business that wants to enhance customer satisfaction and quality.

1. You are not just a customer; you are a friend. We appreciate your friendship and support, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

This quote elevates the customer from a transactional relationship to a personal one and shows that you care about them as a person. It also creates a sense of warmth and familiarity. This quote can be used by any business that wants to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for its customers.

Funny Customer Service Quotes

Customer service is a serious business but can sometimes be a source of humor and inspiration. Here are five funny customer service quotes from people who know what they are talking about and what they mean to us.

1. The customer is always right, except when they are wrong. – David Brent, Regional Manager, Wernham Hogg Paper Company.

This quote is from the British comedy series The Office, where David Brent is a paper company’s clueless and arrogant boss. He often tries to impress his customers and employees with his wit and wisdom but usually fails miserably. This quote shows that he cares not about the customer’s needs or opinions but only about his ego and image.

1. Your call is very important to us. Please enjoy this 40-minute flute solo. – Lisa Simpson, Student, Springfield Elementary School.

This quote is from The Simpsons animated sitcom, where Lisa Simpson is Homer and Marge’s smart and sarcastic daughter. She often mocks the absurdities and injustices of society with her witty remarks. This quote is a parody of the automated messages customers hear when they call a customer service line and are put on hold for a long time. It implies that the company does not value the customer’s time or satisfaction but only wants to keep them waiting and frustrated.

1. Customer service is just a day-in and day-out ongoing, never-ending, unremitting, persevering, compassionate type of activity. – Leon Gorman, President, L.L.Bean.

This quote is from Leon Gorman, the president of L.L.Bean, a famous outdoor clothing and equipment company. He was known for his commitment to customer service and satisfaction and for creating a culture of excellence and integrity in his company. This quote shows that he understood the challenges and rewards of customer service and that he saw it as a noble and meaningful endeavor.

1. There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company, from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else. – Sam Walton, Founder, Walmart.

This quote is from Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, one of the world’s largest and most successful retail companies. He was known for his vision and innovation in creating a low-cost, high-quality shopping experience for his customers. He also valued his employees and treated them as partners in his business. This quote shows that he respected the power and influence of the customer and that he wanted to earn their loyalty and trust.

1. Here is a simple but powerful rule: always give people more than what they expect to get. – Nelson Boswell, Author, and Speaker.

This quote is from Nelson Boswell, an author, and speaker who wrote books on personal development and success. He was known for his motivational and inspirational messages encouraging people to achieve their goals and dreams. This quote shows that he believed in the importance of exceeding the customer’s expectations and delivering more value than what they paid for.

Industry-based Customer Service Quotes

Now that we know different types of customer quotes, let’s look at some industry-based quotes. Different industries deal with different kinds of customers. Therefore, customer service strategies can vary a lot. Thus, you will need to use quotes that are tailored to your industry. 

Here are some significant quotes for 5 different industries:

Retail Industry

1. The customer is the final filter. What survives the whole process is what people wear. I’m not interested in making clothes that end up in some dusty museum. – Marc Jacobs

Famous fashion designer Marc Jacobs is a renowned name in the retail industry. In his opinion, products that satisfy the customer’s needs and preferences are the ultimate goal of this industry. Any product meeting the standard of the customer survives in the long run. Thus, retailers need to listen to what the consumers want and adapt accordingly.

1. Retail is a customer business. You’re trying to take care of the customer—solve something for the customer. And there’s no way to learn that in the classroom or in the corner office… – Erik Nordstrom

Erik Nordstrom, the co-president of Nordstrom, emphasizes the importance of learning from practical experience in this quote. Theoretical knowledge of assumption may give you a vague idea. However, feedback and insights from the customers can bring significant change in products and the bottom line of any retailer. 

1. The more you engage with customers the clearer things become and the easier it is to determine what you should be doing. – John Russell

The former president of Harley-Davidson, John Russell, highlights the benefits of engaging with customers regularly in this quote. Retailers need to ask questions and listen actively to customers. Only then, they will be able to communicate with customers and understand their expectations, needs, and challenges properly. 

1. Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong. – Donald Porter

Donald Porter acted as the vice president of British Airways. From his experience, he understood that consumers know mistakes can happen and are ready to understand the situation. However, for this to happen, businesses need to be transparent and acknowledge mistakes. A retailer needs to take responsibility for the mistake and offer viable solutions.

1. Make a customer, not a sale. – Katherine Barchetti

The founder of K. Barchetti encourages retailers to focus on building long-term relationships with this quote. Rather than treating customers as targets or numbers, retailers need to create a strong bond with them, making them return repeatedly. This will improve the brand image and spread word of mouth, both significantly valuable for any business.

Hospitality Industry

1. Service is not a department; it’s an attitude. – Anonymous

This quote states that only a selected few employees of teams should not be responsible for customer service. Rather, this should be a strong value for everyone in an organization. When organizations adopt and practice positive and proactive attitudes toward customers and colleagues, they can significantly progress in the long run.

1. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. – Anonymous

Hospitality is a challenging industry, and this quote quite frankly represents that. In many instances, you will be faced with guests with whom you don’t agree or like. Despite such a situation, you will need to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable. In addition to providing amenities or services, you will need to create a friendly and warm atmosphere.

1. The first step in exceeding your customer’s expectations is to know those expectations. – Roy H. Williams

Roy H. Williams, author and marketing consultant, expresses the urgency of knowing the customer’s expectations in this quote. Rather than assuming what customers expect, it is wise to ask and observe. Only then, you will definitely know what your customers want and how you can offer them.

1. Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. – William A. Foster

This quote by the former U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient highlights the factors that contribute to quality in any service: intention, effort, direction, execution, and choice. It also implies that quality is not something that happens by chance; it is something that we have to plan, pursue, and achieve deliberately.

1. There is a big difference between a satisfied customer and a loyal customer. – Shep Hyken

This quote by the customer service expert and speaker distinguishes between two levels of customer satisfaction: satisfied and loyal. It also implies that satisfying our customers is not enough; we have to go beyond their expectations and create memorable experiences that make them loyal to our brand.

Healthcare Industry

1. The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said. – Peter Drucker. 

This quote is from a renowned management consultant and author who emphasized the importance of listening and understanding the needs and emotions of customers, especially in healthcare settings where communication can be challenging or sensitive.

1. We don’t want to push our ideas onto customers; we simply want to make what they want. – Laura Ashley.

This quote is from a British fashion designer and businesswoman who founded a successful textile company. She understood that customer service is about meeting the expectations and preferences of customers, not imposing one’s own vision or agenda on them.

1. To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. – Douglas Adams. 

This quote is from a British author and humorist who wrote the popular Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. He highlighted the value of honesty and authenticity in customer service, which can build trust and loyalty among customers. 

1. It’s through vulnerability that human beings create connections. The more vulnerable we can be with one another, the more that we’ll trust one another and the more we’ll be able to collaborate effectively. – Neil Blumenthal. 

This quote is from a co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, an online eyewear company known for its social responsibility and customer-centric culture. He emphasized the importance of empathy and compassion in customer service, which can foster stronger relationships and teamwork.

1. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou. 

This quote is from a celebrated American poet and civil rights activist who inspired millions with her words and deeds. She reminded us that customer service is about delivering information or solutions and creating positive and memorable customer experiences.

Banking

1. If you don’t take care of your customer, your competitor will. – Bob Hooey. 

This quote is from a Canadian motivational speaker and author specializing in sales and leadership training. He warned us that customer service is a competitive advantage that can make or break a business, especially in banking, where customers have many options to choose from.

1. Customer service shouldn’t just be a department; it should be the entire company. – Tony Hsieh. 

This quote is from a former CEO of Zappos, an online shoe retailer famous for its exceptional customer service and culture. He advocated for a customer-centric approach that involves every employee and every aspect of the business.

1. Instead of focusing on the competition, focus on the customer. – Scott Cook. 

This quote is from a co-founder and former CEO of Intuit, a software company that produces products like QuickBooks and TurboTax. He advised us to pay attention to customers’ needs and feedback rather than worrying about competitors’ actions. This is the best approach any business can take to beat its competition.

1. The more advocates you have, the fewer ads you have to buy. – Dharmesh Shah. 

This quote is from a co-founder and CTO of HubSpot, a software company that offers tools for inbound marketing and sales. He pointed out the benefits of having satisfied and loyal customers who can spread positive word-of-mouth and referrals for your business.

1. Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. – Aldo Gucci. 

This quote is from a former chairman of Gucci, a luxury fashion brand known for its craftsmanship and elegance. He suggested that customer service is not about offering the lowest price but delivering the highest quality and value.

Insurance

1. Good customer service costs less than bad customer service. – Sally Gronow. 

Sally Gronow is the Head of Customer Service at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, a utility company in Wales. By this quote, she means that providing good customer service can increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention while reducing complaints, refunds, and negative word-of-mouth. This can positively impact any business’s revenue, reputation, and growth. On the other hand, bad customer service can have the opposite effect, causing customers to leave, demand compensation or spread bad reviews.

1. The best customer service is if the customer doesn’t need to call you, or doesn’t need to talk to you. It just works. – Jeff Bezos. 

This quote is from the founder and CEO of Amazon, one of the most successful e-commerce companies in the world. He emphasizes the importance of creating a seamless and hassle-free experience for customers, especially in the insurance industry, where trust and reliability are crucial.

1. Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. – Bill Gates. 

This quote is from the co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft, one of the largest software companies in the world. He encourages businesses to listen to dissatisfied customers and learn from their feedback rather than ignoring or dismissing them. In the insurance industry, unhappy customers can reveal gaps or flaws in the products or services and help improve them for future customers.

1. The customer’s perception is your reality. – Kate Zabriskie

The founder and president of Business Training Works, Inc highlights how customers perceive a company’s products, services, and overall brand image in this quote. In the insurance sector, a customer’s perception of an insurance company’s customer service can significantly impact their decision to purchase and renew policies. You can enhance your reputation and differentiate yourself from competitors by prioritizing customer service and providing a positive customer experience.

We hope you enjoyed reading these customer service quotes and found them useful for your own business or work. Customer service is not just a department; it’s a mindset and a culture that can make or break your reputation and success. Applying some of these quotes to your daily interactions with customers can create positive experiences, build loyalty, and increase satisfaction. 

Remember, the customer is not always right, but they are always the customer. Treat them with respect, empathy, and professionalism; they will reward you with their trust and loyalty.