How do you deal with rude customers?

I always apologize first, sincerely and graciously. Then I ask the customer how we should proceed. This puts the ball in their court, but it's so open-ended that usually, they will tell me what's going on. Often it's an apology, but sometimes it's something else (even when I on occasion have offended someone without knowing it).

Having said that, there's definitely a line that, if crossed, will result in me firing the prospect. I agree with Martha and others that we should not be doormats.

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I might ask myself....Are they being rude or is this a defensive mechanism. It is a known fact that allot of people don't like sales people...I know..I was shocked too! The fact is..sometimes people do not know how to react when cornered by their sales person even when they have already purchased the product. They think that sales people are only out to make a buck and they continue to have their radar up when you are around and then on the other hand you have those people that are just not nice and will never be nice. That's when you take an Advil and get botox to have a permanent smile on your face so you don't break from the nicey nice when you are around them..