Why do people expect a business...?

When a person calls a business and they don't like the price, or they call the wrong location, do they then expect that business to provide them with the phone number of another business. I work for a store that has a franchise in another city and also has customers in the same city as the retail franchise ... people frequently call and are upset that I am not with the franchise, and they act as though they are entitled for me to give them the number of the franchise, which takes from our main business to do so! I think it's exceptionally rude to ask one business to "sell out" by giving out phone numbers and information on another business, whether there may be some slight association or not. But I've even had requests for information on non-associated businesses, which I absolutely refuse to give out, although as politely as possible. It's like calling McDonalds, deciding you don't like what they have to offer and asking for a phone number to Burger King!Why do people expect a business...?
Because people are too stupid and lazy to use a phone book or they don't have one. I think a lot of people don't have phone books, because so many people have opted to not have home phones and only have cell phones.

Even if you don't have a phone book, you can almost always find a business's number online. I've done that before.

I would never ask for a competitor's number! That is just rude!
I see both sides here. If the average person assumes you are part of a bigger chain then you should give them the number if you have it. Or simply say, we are not connected with them. If they ask for the number say you don't have it. Remember, it may be the 20th time you've heard the question but it is that customer's 1st time to call. You should treat all of them with respect. You never know when they may need your business in the future.Why do people expect a business...?
why is it selling out when you can't provide them with what they want? No you are not responsible for giving them the number, just tell them kindly you don't have it and say good bye and hang up, that's all, no big deal.
The person often think customer service should extend to the regardless of request or if they are even a customer at all.



Regardless, it is irritating. I have found the best way to alleviate the aggravation is to just politely decline, information. They are not your customer they have no intention of being your customer, you are already showing them a courtesy by being very cordial about the situation. Heck if you want tell them to have a wonderful day.





As a side note, when I was in high school I used to work at a kiosk in a mall next to a wal-mart, there was a giant sign above my kiosk with an arrow saying Wal-mart. Wal-mart also has a giant neon sign no less than 30 feet away saying WAL-MART. The corridor was also painted the trademark Blue and Red. Regardless of the blatant signs that there was a 10,000 square foot wal-mart 30 feet away from me people used to ask no less then 50 times per day. "which way to the wal-mart?"



I understand your frustration.Why do people expect a business...?
I have your answer my friend. A good business always knows their competition and local area. It is a good idea to check them out and sometimes work with them to everyone's benefit. Today you give out my number... tomorrow I give out yours. Another good reason is... every call is a sale call. You never know when a wrong call could turn into the right call. Everyone knows someone and being polite and helping people will often pay dividends sooner or later. Hey you just never know who you are talking to. One final reason is customer satisfaction, is always important. Answering phone calls is part of the job and if you have to do it ... do it right.
Just tell them that you're sorry but you don't have that information. They most likely figure that you don't but also figure that if they made that mistake then others might have also and that you may actually have it. Honestly, people do remember when they have been treated nicely by a business and will return to them if they do in fact want what they have later on. It's simple customer service.
If it's another store in the same chain (one walmart to another, for example or one McDonalds to another to use your example), I think it's good business to give the number and pretty much EVERY business does that anyway. The point is to create a good repoire with the customer so that if they ever do need to come to your particular location, they will and will feel good about it. Also, they may recommend your location to someone who IS in that area or looking for something your way, where they wouldn't if you were rude or refused to give them information. You have to understand that in this information age, most chain stores are linked in some way; when you go to one Payless shoe store and they don't have the shoe you want, they can do a search and find another Payless that does have it. They may not get your cash, but they keep you shopping in that chain, and if they're your way, they'll remember your cooperation and will be more willing to deal with you again. It's called customer service, and it shouldn't always have to end with cash in your pocket for you to do it. If that's your requirement, you're in the wrong line of work! And really, is the two minutes it takes to give someone a number really that big of a deal if it creates good will and a potential customer, or at least a referral to one?
If you are generous and offer help to people they will be more inclined to think of your business favorably, and it may pay off in the future.

If you don't and act petty about giving out a phone number that you probably have access too, they will think you are hiding something, that you are petty, and they will not be inclined to think well of you. They will tell your friends that you are not friendly and that they will not do business with you; then those friends will repeat the story, and it usually grows.

PR is a big part a business, and it sounds like you need to learn more about it.