Complaining Quote by Marshall Field
“Those who enter to buy, support me. Those who come to flatter, please me. Those who complain, teach me how I may please others so that more will come. Those only hurt me who are displeased but do not complain. They refuse me permission to correct my errors and thus improve my service.”
About This Quote
Source Business Philosophy: Marshall Field & Co. 1900s
Customer feedback, both positive and negative, drives improvement and service excellence
In simple terms: Listen to customers to improve your business
Key Takeaway
Use criticism to refine offerings
Themes
service
feedback
improvement
Mood
analytical
motivational
Type
business
reflective
When to use this quote
- retail
- hospitality
- online commerce
- customer support
Key Concepts
customer focus
continuous learning
humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance praise and criticism?
- What systems capture honest feedback?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on praise can blind you to real issues
![“A canteen I remember vividly, and maybe one other thing, I can't remember. And I knew then that he had bought them in an army surplus store that day and he wanted to maybe enhance himself in my eyes, and say, "Well, yes, I have been in the army." Or [he] simply just didn't want to disappoint me…” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af8/paul-auster-351_army_a-canteen-i-remember-vividly-and-maybe-o_237873.jpg)
![“The greatest good [a man] can do is to cultivate himself in order that he may be of greater use to humanity.” quote by Marshall Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a1c/marshall-field-32340_cultivate_the-greatest-good-a-man-can-do-is-to-cul_164037.jpg)
