[sonnyrizo]

Has anyone been in such an embarassing position, where you had to tell a customer/client that you didn't know an answer to their question?

I think of this all the time: that I won't be able to answer all questions due to either lack of experience or knowledge. I want to sound as knowledgeable as possible, but I want to make sure missing a question here and there won't make you look like an idiot?

Anyone here have stories of personal experience when this happened to them (whatever field you may work in)?

For example, if you're in landscaping, you have to know pretty much everything about land, and a bunch of other nonsense. If you're in computers, everything related to computers and so on.

[Onyx]

Originally posted by sonnyrizo
For example, if you're in landscaping, you have to know pretty much everything about land, and a bunch of other nonsense. If you're in computers, everything related to computers and so on.

Who says?

No one can know the answer to everything and often it is best to go away and think about things anyway. Being honest with people is always the best policy. The number of times I've seen people talk absolute crap or try to blind the customer with jargon in order to cover up for a lack of knowledge just stuns me. It always shows through in the end.

If I'm asked a question that I don't know the answer to then I say - 'I can't answer that right now, but I'll go away and find out for you and let you know by x date'. The customer wants the right answer, not just any answer!

Of course it's good to know a lot about what you do, but you don't have to be a walking encyclopedia!Make sure hone your existing skills before trying to learn lots of new stuff though.

[mpnetwork]

"I can get you that information tomorrow"

"I need to talk to ___ before I can tell you that"

"I need to do a certain test to figure that out"

"Im plan on sitting down tonight and planning the best way to implement everything to achieve your goals"

[sonnyrizo]

Who says?

Well, if you don't know everything, they may look at you with "This guy doesn't know anything. I'lll move on to someone else."

The number of times I've seen people talk absolute crap or try to blind the customer with jargon in order to cover up for a lack of knowledge just stuns me. It always shows through in the end.

That, actually, is very disturbing. There's a lot of people that do that.

I am thinking of "That's a good question. I'll research that for you, and get you the answer.

[Karen]

I agree with this one:

"That's a good question. I'll research that for you, and get you the answer.


It shows integrity and honesty.

Not to mention there is nothing worse than someone just making up the answer to look good. The answer is almost always not correct and it would be horrible if the buyer bought based on the answer.

Karen

[tcazin]

I agree with Karen and sonnyrizo,

Nobody has the answer to everything. I want someone to tell me they don't have the answer right now, but will look into and get back to me. The important thing is to follow up with what you are you going to do. If you don't follow up they will not call you back. When you do call they will remember you. Even if you don't find the answer, you can probably lead them to someone who does. The important thing is to call them back. People will remember you.