Great customer service can make all the difference in distinguishing your brand, but sometimes it can get lost among all your team’s priorities. Knowing the value of customer service is key to keeping it front and center, but shaping a positive perspective on it doesn’t hurt either. If you’re looking for a whole new view on customer service, or a way to keep your time inspired, take a cue from the experts. Take a look at some of the powerful customer service quotes below from thought leaders and some of history’s best-known figures. You just might find yourself viewing the customer experience in a whole new way.

Customer Experience Quotes

The customer experience can make all the difference when it comes to loyalty.

“Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game. Service wins the game.” – Tony Allesandra

“The most important adage and the only adage is, the customer comes first, whatever the business, the customer comes first.” – Kerry Stokes

“A customer service apology is stronger with a personal touch.” – Shep Hyken, author and customer service speaker

“Kindness and courtesy are the root of a positive customer service experience.” – Shep Hyken, author and customer service speaker

“To improve the customer experience, look at ways to reduce or remove friction from their daily business operations. Make it effortless for your customers to do business with you and/or your business.” – Jon Rossi of My Dealer Service

“We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It’s our job to make the customer experience a little bit better.” – Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” – Sam Walton, founder of Walmart

“Treat your employees the way you want your customers treated.” – Shep Hyken, author and customer service speaker

“Sometimes one can become lost in a big company and lose sight of how what one does truly helps or impacts the end customer. If you are one of those, think of a fire brigade, a line of people passing buckets of water from one to the other from a source of water to the site of the fire. An individual in the brigade may not be able to see the end result, i.e. the water being thrown on the fire to put it out, but the contribution of the individual is indispensable to the final outcome.” – Grant Bright, former project lead at IBM

Customer Satisfaction Quotes

Keeping a customer satisfied means putting their needs first.

“You cannot improve one thing by 1000%, but you can improve 1000 little things by 1%.” Jan Carlzon, former CEO of SAS

“Memorable customer service can only take place in a human-to-human situation.” – Jeffrey Gitomer, author and professional speaker

“I am wired like a CEO and care a great deal about the bottom line, but I care about my customers even more than that. That’s always been my competitive advantage.” Gary Vaynerchuk, author of The Thank You Economy

“Make every interaction count, even the small ones. They are all relevant.” – Shep Hyken, author and customer service speaker

“Unless you have 100% customer satisfaction, you must improve.” – Horst Schulze, former president of Ritz Carlton

“Sometimes one can become lost in a big company and lose sight of how what one does truly helps or impacts the end customer. If you are one of those, think of a fire brigade, a line of people passing buckets of water from one to the other from a source of water to the site of the fire. An individual in the brigade may not be able to see the end result, i.e. the water being thrown on the fire to put it out, but the contribution of the individual is indispensable to the final outcome.” – Grant Bright, former project lead at IBM

“There are many who subscribe to the convention that service is a business cost, but our data demonstrates that superior service is an investment that can help drive business growth. Investing in quality talent, and ensuring they have the skills, training and tools that enable them to empathize and actively listen to customers are central to providing consistently excellent service experiences.” – Jim Bush, EVP American Express

“If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours.” – Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s

Happy Customer Quotes

If customers can’t help but grin after using your product or service, you’re probably on the right track.

“Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.” – James Cash Penney, founder of J.C. Penney

“Customer service is a voluntary act that demonstrates a genuine desire to satisfy, if not delight, a customer.” – Steve Curtin, author of Delight Your Customers

“Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.” – Gretta Palmer, author and editor

“Here is a simple but powerful rule: always give people more than what they expect to get.” – Nelson Boswell

“Biggest question: Isn’t it really ‘customer helping’ rather than customer service? And wouldn’t you deliver better service if you thought of it that way?” – Jeffrey Gitomer, author and speaker

“The single most important thing is to make people happy. If you are making people happy, as a side effect, they will be happy to open up their wallets and pay you.” – Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby

“When you’re busy, avoid taking the quickest action. Instead make the extra effort to truly serve the customer.” – Marilyn Suttle, success coach

“Care more than others think wise. Risk more than others think safe. Dream more than others think practical. Expect more than others think possible.” Claude Bissell, author and educator

“Always do more than is required of you.” – George S. Patton

“How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively.” – Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking

Inspirational Customer Service Quotes

A little inspiration and wisdom can go a long way.

“If you only talk to a person’s head and not their heart, people won’t listen to you.” – Les Brown, author and motivational speaker

“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund

“One of the greatest gifts you can give to anyone is the gift of attention.” – Jim Rohn, author and motivational speaker

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” – Roger Staubach, former NFL quarterback

“Customers may forget what you said but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” – inspired by Maya Angelou

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein

“Seek first to understand. Then to be understood.” – Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

“Without caring there can be no quality.” – Joel Barker, author of Future Edge

“To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author and aviator

“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” – Lewis Carroll, writer and mathematician

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Customer Focus Quotes

When you focus on the customer, success will follow.

“How you think about your customers influences how you respond to them.” – Marilyn Suttle, success coach

“Ask your customers to be part of the solution, and don’t view them as part of the problem.” – Alan Weiss, author of Million Dollar Consulting

“If we can keep our competitors focused on us while we stay focused on the customer, ultimately we’ll turn out all right.” – Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“If we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will.” – unknown

“If you’re competitor-focused, you have to wait until there is a competitor doing something. Being customer-focused allows you to be more pioneering.” – Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon

“Revolve your world around the customer and more customers will revolve around you.” – Heather Williams

“Nordstrom’s Rules for Employees: Rule # 1: Use your good judgment in all situations. There are no additional rules.” – Nordstrom Employee Rules

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ‘What’s in it for me?’” – Brian Tracy, author and Motivational Speaker

“No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.” – Calvin Coolidge

“You can close more business in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie, author

“Great teams need great leaders – leaders who inspire, motivate, instill pride, loyalty and a sense of fun at work.” – Natalie Calvert, customer service and sales strategist

Satisfied Customer Quotes

Do your best to be sure your customers walk away satisfied.

“Until you understand your customers—deeply and genuinely—you cannot truly serve them.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru

“Two important things are to have a genuine interest in people and to be kind to them. Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything.” – Isaac Bashevis Singer, author

“Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.” – Samuel Smiles, author and reformer

“There is a spiritual aspect to our lives—when we give, we receive—when a business does something good for somebody, that somebody feels good about them!” Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s

“We don’t want to push our ideas on to customers, we simply want to make what they want.” – Laura Ashley

“Our greatest asset is the customer! Treat each customer as if they are the only one!” – Laurice Leitao, customer service professional at SeraCare Life Sciences

“We’re living in what I like to call the ‘Thank You Economy,’ because only the companies that can figure out how to mind their manners in a very old-fashioned way – and do it authentically – are going to have a prayer of competing.” – Gary Vaynerchuk, author of The Thank You Economy

“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.” – Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon

Customer Feedback Quotes

Every bit of feedback is an opportunity to grow.

“Every contact we have with a customer influences whether or not they’ll come back. We have to be great every time or we’ll lose them.” – Kevin Stirtz

“Thank your customer for complaining and mean it. Most will never bother to complain. They’ll just walk away.” – Marilyn Suttle, success coach

“When a customer complains, he is doing you a special favor; he is giving you another chance to serve him to his satisfaction. You will appreciate the importance of this opportunity when you consider that the customer’s alternative option was to desert you for a competitor.” – Seymour Fine, author of The Marketing of Ideas and Social Issues

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates

“The rise of the citizen review site is a sobering development. No longer are you on top of the mountain, blasting your marketing message down to the masses through your megaphone. All of a sudden, the masses are conversing with one another. If your service or product isn’t any good, they’ll out you.” – David Pogue, New York Times technology columnist

“If you make customers unhappy on the Internet, they can each tell 6,000 friends” – Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon

“Follow the customer, if they change—we change.” – Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco

Customer Care Quotes

There’s no better feeling than helping a customer solve a problem.

“Words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest therapy known to man.” – Louis Nizer, lawyer

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.” – Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple

“If you don’t care, your customer never will.” – Marlene Blaszczyk, motivational specialist

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker, author

“If you just communicate, you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles.” – Jim Rohn, author and motivational speaker

“Go beyond merely communicating to ‘connecting’ with people.” – Jerry Bruckner, author of The Success Formula for Personal Growth

“Every company’s greatest assets are its customers, because without customers there is no company.” – Michael LeBoeuf

“People expect good service but few are willing to give it.” – Robert Gately, president of Gately Consulting

“The only certain means is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be.” – Og Mandino, author of The Greatest Salesman in the World

“Stellar service should be non-negotiable and merchants shouldn’t hide behind self-service tools and technology when it comes to knowing their products and taking care of their customers.” – Lauren Freedman, president of The e-tailing Group

Customer Relationship Quotes

A human connection is always at the forefront.

“Your ability to communicate is an important tool in your pursuit of your goals, whether it is with your family, your co-workers or your clients and customers.” – Les Brown, author and motivational speaker

“The inherent preferences of organizations are clarity, certainty and perfection. The inherent nature of human relationships involves ambiguity, uncertainty, and imperfection. How one honors, balances, and integrates the needs of both is the real trick of feedback.” – Richard Pascale and Anthony Athos, authors of The Art of Japanese Management

“The more you engage with customers, the clearer things become and the easier it is to determine what you should be doing.” John Russell, VP of Harley-Davidson Europe

“It’s not what you say, but how you say it!” – Mae West, actress and singer

“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” – Blaise Pascal, mathematician, physicist and inventor

“Always remember that everyone with whom you have a relationship has an invisible sign on their forehead that says ‘Make Me Feel Important.’ Treat them accordingly.” – Simon Cowell’s father

“While automation can be expedient, the resulting impersonal tone and risk of poor information are formidable—most importantly, merchants are missing an opportune moment to connect with current and prospective customers.” – annual mystery shopping survey by The e-tailing Group, 2010

“In an era when companies see online support as a way to shield themselves from “costly” interactions with their customers, it’s time to consider an entirely different approach: building human centric customer service through great people and clever technology. So, get to know your customers. Humanize them.” – Kristin Smaby, author of Being Human is Good Business

“Anyone working for a big company might be skeptical that a large business, or even a strictly online business, can form the same kind of friendly, loyal relationship with customers as a local retailer. I’m saying it’s already been done because I lived it.” – Gary Vaynerchuk, author of The Thank You Economy

“I have always believed that the way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customers, and that people flourish when they are praised.” – Sir Richard Branson

“Every great business is built on friendship.” – James Cash Penney, founder of J.C. Penney Stores

Customer Loyalty Quotes

Loyal customers are the key to success.

“It is not your customer’s job to remember you, it is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t have the chance to forget you.” – Patricia Fripp

“We have entered the era of the customer. Today, providing customers with outstanding customer service is essential to building loyal customers and a long lasting brand.” – Jerry Gregoire, CIO of Dell Computers

“Getting service right is more than just a nice to do; it’s a must do. American consumers are willing to spend more with companies that provide outstanding service — ultimately, great service can drive sales and customer loyalty.” – Jim Bush, EVP American Express

“Never underestimate the power of the human element. Whether it’s assisting a guest with a special request or a friendly greeting from staff members in the hallway, the people aspect plays a key role in guest satisfaction and loyalty.” – Ramez Faza, senior account manager at J.D. Power and Associates

“Repeat business or behavior can be bribed. Loyalty has to be earned.” – Janet Robinson, former president and CEO of The New York Times Company

“It’s very logical: There is proven ROI in doing whatever you can to turn your customers into advocates for your brand or business. The way to create advocates is to offer superior customer service.” – Gary Vaynerchuk, Author of The Thank You Economy

“You don’t earn loyalty in a day. You earn loyalty day-by-day.” – Jeffrey Gitomer, author and speaker

“Customer satisfaction is worthless. Customer loyalty is priceless.” – Jeffrey Gitomer, author and speaker

“You can not buy the devotion of hearts, minds, or souls. You must earn these.” – Clarence Francis, former chairman of the board at General Foods Corporation

“Trust: The reputation of a thousand years may be undermined by the conduct of one hour.” – Japanese proverb

“When the customer comes first, the customer will last.” – Robert Half, founder of Robert Half International

“There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.” – Sam Walton, founder of Walmart and Sam’s Club

“Make a customer, not a sale.” – Katherine Barchetti

“Merely satisfying customers will not be enough to earn their loyalty. Instead, they must experience exceptional service worthy of their repeat business and referral. Understand the factors that drive this customer revolution.” – Rick Tate

“One customer well taken care of could be more valuable than $10,000 worth of advertising.” – Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker

“Truth builds trust.” – Marilyn Suttle, success coach

Customer Service Motivational Quotes

At the end of the day, customer service is all about treating your customers—and staff—how you’d like to be treated.

“Don’t find fault. Find a remedy.” – Henry Ford

“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” – Don Alden Adams, president of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

“You’ll never have a product or price advantage again. They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied.” – Jerry Fritz

“Customer service shouldn’t just be a department, it should be the entire company.” – Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos

“Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.” – Henry Ford

“Customer service represents the heart of a brand in the hearts of its customers.” – Kate Nasser, the people-skills coach

“A man without a smiling face must not open a shop.” – Chinese proverb

“A lot of people have fancy things to say about customer service, but it’s just a day-in, day-out, ongoing, never-ending, persevering, compassionate kind of activity.” – Christopher McCormick, CEO of L.L Bean

“People now expect the same—if not better—level of service from online storefronts and service channels as they do from a visit to a retail store or a phone conversation with an agent. – BenchmarkPortal

“Good customer service costs less than bad customer service.” – Sally Gronow, Welsh Water

“Customer service is an opportunity to exceed your customer’s expectations.” – John Jantsch, president at Duct Tape Marketing

“The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.” – Sam Walton, founder of Walmart

“We are superior to the competition because we hire employees who work in an environment of belonging and purpose. We foster a climate where the employee can deliver what the customer wants. You cannot deliver what the customer wants by controlling the employee.” – Horst Schulze, former president of Ritz Carlton

“Employees who are controlled cannot respond caringly, you need superior knowledge and real leadership, not management. Because of this we specifically developed a selection process for leaders; we don’t hire managers.” – Horst Schulze, former president of Ritz Carlton

Customer Retention Quotes

When you offer clear solutions, customers are often happy to keep coming back.

“Inside of every problem lies an opportunity.” – Robert Kiyosaki, author

“Customer complaints should be seen as a source of learning, putting teams in a position to prevent future problems instead of just reacting to current ones.” – unknown

“Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” – Denis Waitley, author and motivational speaker

“To keep a customer demands as much skill as to win one.” – proverb

“I attract a crowd, not because I’m an extrovert or I’m over the top or I’m oozing with charisma. It’s because I care.” – Gary Vaynerchuk, author of The Thank You Economy

“If you make a sale, you can make a living. If you make an investment of time and good service in a customer, you can make a fortune.” – Jim Rohn, author and motivational speaker

“Every contact we have with a customer influences whether or not they’ll come back. We have to be great every time or we’ll lose them.” – Kevin Stirtz, author

“In the world of internet customer service, it’s important to remember your competitor is only one mouse click away.” – Doug Warner

“If you wonder what getting and keeping the right employees has to do with getting and keeping the right customers, the answer is everything.” – Fred Reichheld, creator of Net Promoter System

“If you take the approach of ‘earning’ your customers’ business every day and treating them well, they’re less likely to try someone else.” – Marilyn Suttle, success coach

“Always keep in mind the old retail adage: Customers remember the service a lot longer than they remember the price.” – Lauren Freedman, president of The e-tailing Group

“Your best customers leave quite an impression. Do the same and they won’t leave.” – unknown

Besides being an entrepreneur, Misa Chien is an asian model and cooking show host based in Los Angeles.  Her other blog, Nom Nom TV, a dinner ideas blog, posts articles everywhere from top items to buy at 99 Ranch market to the best way to prepare soba noodles.