Unique Pricing Tactic: Customer Service IS a Two-Way Street

Chris Morran of The Consumerist, a blog from the Consumer Reports people, featured the menu posted at a cafe in France (appropriately enough, in Nice!)

Three different prices for a cup of coffee, depending on how politely you order. 

• "Coffee" --- $9.65

• "Coffee, please." --- $5.85

• "Good day! Coffee, please." --- $1.95 

Yes, that's right. Your coffee costs much more if you are abrupt or rude! 

Apparently it began as a bit of fun from the frustrated workers, who had grown weary of being treated rudely by the customers, Morran writes. And now, it's part of the actual posted menu. 

"It started as a joke because at lunchtime people would come in very stressed and were sometimes rude to us when they ordered a coffee," explains the cafe's owner. "I know people say that French service can be rude but it's also true that customers can be rude when they're busy."

The owner says he hasn't yet been compelled to charge anyone the higher price and that the sign has resulted in his regular customers now being overly polite when they order. 

"They started calling me 'your highness' when they saw the sign," he say

A timely idea you can use in your stores? 

What a great way to keep retailing fun! And to gently remind customers that customer service IS a two-way street!

Oh. But of course, "Thank you!" for the idea!!