Kiosk restaurants are becoming more common and are found in retail and convenience stores, airports, department stores and many other locations. These kiosk venues are a great way to add extra service to existing businesses as well as start-up companies. There are many advantages to using kiosk technology for your business, but there are also some disadvantages as well. The purpose of this article is to provide information on kiosk etiquette so you can be sure you are well-informed about this new type of marketing and services you can offer to your customers.
Kiosk vendors are trained in customer service and should make every effort to be understanding and helpful. Customers want to make sure they are treated right, and kiosk vendors should know this. It is important that they are able to handle complaints promptly so that everyone’s experience is pleasant. If you have customers using the kiosk, be sure to allow them to use it without being bothered by others. They will appreciate having the option of paying with plastic or a debit/credit card, and they will also be more likely to return if they like the service they receive.
Let your kiosk customer have the option of paying with a debit/credit card or a coupon book. While this isn’t necessarily a rule, it is generally best to choose to market to people who already have either a credit or debit card in their wallet. Even if someone doesn’t have a card, most kiosk businesses understand that they will most likely get one, and they want to encourage returning customers. By offering them options, you are showing them that you value their business. You don’t have to implement this option for every customer, but by encouraging it among those who do have a credit card, you are giving them a choice.
Remember that you can’t expect customers to pay for their meals by using their cards. Most of these devices are manually recorded, and the appropriate change must be provided to the customer before they can complete their payment. Some kiosks require that the customer pay in cash or check. If you install a kiosk in a location where most customers aren’t going to carry cash, you can still use this as an opportunity to provide your customers with customer service training on payment methods.
If you install a kiosk in a high-end restaurant where most of your customer’s dining experience takes place, you may not want to display the cash/check option. Instead, offer them the use of a promotional plastic card. The purpose of this card is to help your customer service representative to give them tips and make suggestions without needing to take their place in line for a tip, and it also helps you keep track of their spending. Use a logo or other identifying mark to help customers identify their own plastic card, which is more sanitary than placing a little bag of coins in their wallet to write in a check.
In order to get the most out of your kiosk, remember that the success of the kiosk is dependent upon your customer. See if they use it often enough to feel comfortable having it at their disposal. Ask them about what they think of the kiosk and whether it could be of any use to them. If you have any questions, respond to their queries quickly and professionally so that you maximize the positive effects of your kiosk.