📢 The Customer is Always Right: The Golden Rule of Retail 💼§
A commercial paean to the buyer. This phrase was introduced in the 1930s by H. Gordon Selfridge, an American who founded Selfridge’s, a large department store in Great Britain. A highly successful salesman who personally oversaw his retail operation, he insisted that his staff always defer to customers, whether they were right or wrong. The refrain was taken up by other businesses and has survived.
Definitions and Similar Expressions§
- Customer Sovereignty: The concept that consumer preferences and desires should dictate production moves.
- The Customer is King: A variation emphasizing the supreme importance of customer satisfaction.
- Service with a Smile: Reinforcing courteous customer service regardless of the situation.
Synonyms§
- Patrons’ Prowess
- Buyer’s Edict
- Clientele Commandment
Antonyms§
- The Customer is Occasionally Mistaken
- Buyer’s Blunder
Quotes§
“I borrowed to halve my dream with friends and inflated customer satisfaction.” — H. Gordon Selfridge
Proverbs & Related Phrases§
- He who pays the piper calls the tune.
- You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Humorous Take§
“The customer is always right…even when they’re asking for a refund on a lifetime supply of ‘invisible ink.’”
Literary & Cultural References§
- Books: “The Retail Handbook: Mastering the Customer-Centric Approach” by L. P. Tradecraft
- Movies: Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - demonstrating exceptional customer prioritization
- Poetry: “Customer Sovereignty: The Retailer’s Rhymes” by Polly Proverbial
- Songs: “Service with a Smile” by Client-Centric Ensemble
Author: W. T. Wittywords Publishing Date: October 1, 2023
Remember, dear reader, in the great literal and metaphorical marketplace of life, while the customer is always right, the truth lies in understanding we all wear different moccasins. All the best in your linguistic journey!
