# How to be a good customer

Due to the [contractual nature](people-contracts.md) of business, customers have responsibilities beyond their privileges.

As long as you're interacting with them, the organization is likely monitoring you for [legal reasons](legal-safety.md).

- Just because you're on hold doesn't mean they can't hear you.
- Even if you delete the text in a chat system, the company may still be able to see it.

## Focus on what can actually be done

Many times, an organization will indirectly sabotage a customer experience.

- This is usually not intentional, but doesn't change how it can cost time, effort, work, and pain.

The customer service representative is usually not responsible for much.

- Typically, they'll keep technically qualified people *actually* responsible to change things away from the public.
- Most organizations intentionally hire nice people to work directly with customers, who are typically unable to change anything.

## Keep track of your interactions

Try to record who, when, and how you have interacted with everyone.

- Besides this keeping you [legally safe](legal-safety.md), it allows them to reference prior encounters without much trouble.

## Stay aware of corporate motives

The organization wants you to have a continued financial relationship with them.

- Your opinion only matters if the trouble you make is less than the money you're paying.
- Never threaten to leave unless you have the means to carry out that threat.

Be prepared for diminished service near contract renewal time.

- Many times, service providers will try to force an upsell by making your service inferior.
- Often, this is done via computer programming and not through any individual's decision-making.
- A simple call to [customer service](people-customerservice.md) can often reset the timer.