The day you opened the doors of your new coffee shop or restaurant, you expected a lot of customers. You take pride in your grandpa's secret brewed coffee recipe, or your grandma's traditional recipe for apple pie. While your store has a lot of customers, there are those people who hang around for far too long on the tables. They would just order one cup of coffee and end up talking for two hours, or take three hours to finish a single slice of pie. While you don't want to turn away customers, business is business.

Customers are good for business, but unwanted customers can put a dent on your profits. Your goal must be to entertain as many customers as you can with the best possible service your business can offer. Sometimes you need to get rid of some customers, especially if they cut a big chunk away from your ability to make a profit. Here are some ways to get rid of unwanted customers.

Be Polite, Tell Them to Leave

The best way to get rid of unwanted customers is to tell them off as politely as possible. While some of your customers may be getting on your last nerves, remember that they still keep your business running. You should treat every customer with respect.

There are customers who probably wouldn't understand why you want them to leave, or even get offended by your move. You need to explain to them the reasons why you need to send them away:

• If they're noisy, tell them that they're distracting and irritating other customers. While you appreciate that they're having fun at your place, remind them that they should also be considerate of other people's needs.
• If they take too long to finish up an order, tell them that they don't hold a monopoly over a table or a lunch counter. Unless they always reserve their seats beforehand, your store should follow a first-come first-served, first-in first-out policy.
• If they don't order anything but insist on loitering at your place, you should tell them that tables, seats and counters are for paying customers only.

Courtesy should be the number one rule that your business should follow. Instruct your staff to deal with unwanted customers respectfully and tactfully. The least you want is for your unwanted customers to spread rumors that your establishment does not treat customers very well.

Lay Some Rules

Coffee shops and restaurants are notorious for having customers who linger and loiter around for too long. It would be nice if they sample other items from your menu instead of a stack of waffles and a cup of coffee, and it would be dandy if they didn't take too long to finish their meals or their coffee. Chances are these customers are your most loyal ones.

Tell them that while you appreciate their presence and their company, it's bad for business if they keep occupying tables for themselves and staying there for hours at a time. Other customers may need them more than they do, and would probably move on to other stores if they see that there are no empty tables or counters ready for them.

It's also handy for you to post some rules and courtesy signs in and around your establishment. Make sure that they're simple, visible, and courteous.

Set a Target Group

You may need to draw up your business plans again if you have a problem with unwanted customers. There's such a thing as a business that has too many customers. If you try to please everyone's needs, chances are everyone would be pleased by your establishment. At first, it may seem great that you have a lot of customers, but you'll end up having to deal with people with different tastes and preferences. While you have many customers, you'll only end up with having too many customers you don't like.

A target group is especially helpful if you run your business yourself. Think of people you get along with, and an age or income bracket you belong to, and make your business fit that bracket. You should focus on the likes and the interests of customers you want to deal with daily. It's also easier to deal with customers whose tastes, preferences and attitudes are similar to yours.

Set Your Prices

If you run a gift shop or a novelty goods store, set your prices. It's nice to have discounts and clearance sales every now and then to get rid of inventory, but it's bad for business if you do these every day. Some of your customers may also request or even demand for discounts every time they buy something. It may seem that you're just being friendly if you give all your friends and loyal customers discounts or freebies, but it can hurt your profits and your business.

It doesn't hurt to give a discount to a loyal customer who really needs it, or if he or she is a few dollars short of buying something from your store. As much as possible, stick to the prices listed on your price list or your menu. Explain to the customer that the prices are reasonable, honest, and sensible. If they do insist on getting a discount, check your ledger or account books first to see if you can easily provide a discount, without hurting your profits and investments.

Focus on the Purchasers

Times are hard, and more and more people work within their budget. It doesn't have to mean bad business, but you should try to keep window shoppers at a minimum. There are customers who spend a lot of time browsing your displays or your menus, but end up not buying anything. Not only do they end up wasting a lot of your time, but they also end up wasting the possibility of your store making money.

Whenever possible, focus your energies on customers who actually buy something from your store. It doesn't mean that you should ignore window-shoppers, but it takes too much time and energy to convince them to buy something that they cannot afford. It also helps to put up a “No Window Shopping” sign, especially if you run a very busy business.

Provide Excellent Service

Sometimes bad business cannot be blamed on unwanted customers. If you have unwanted customers, chances are you offer bad service. Whether your business is in service or in sales, you should serve as many customers as you can in the shortest amount of time. If you provide service too fast or too slow, customers will linger on too long at your store, and may even give out harsh and negative feedback. It takes time and practice to perfect your customer service routines. Make them feel welcome, but you should keep an eye out for people who may give a bad image to your store. If you provide excellent service, your customers will keep coming back. More satisfied customers also mean that your business venture will be a resounding success.

Business is business, and part of doing good business is dealing with annoying and unwanted customers. A bit of patience, honesty, and good customer relations can turn even the most unwanted customers into your best clients.

Read How to Get Rid of Bad Customers