When a customer takes the time to send an email, you are being given the opportunity to overcome obstacles and strengthen the relationship. Make it clear the customer is valuable and you will find a way to provide concise answers that solve their issues. Sometimes all a customer wants is acknowledgement of an error, bad service provided, or an unsatisfactory product.  Try one of the following to assuage the customer:  Sorry for our mistake.  We’ll work harder next time to make your experience wonderful. We’d like to offer our sincerest apologies.  The same mistake will not be made again. Oops!  We definitely didn’t live up to expectations with your last interaction.  We’ll try to do better in future visits. Many companies have a policy of answering emails within 24 business hours or less. Make sure your client knows when a reply can reasonably be expected. An easy way is to respond to each point in the same order as listed in the original email. This will often make it easier for the client to quickly relate the responses to his or her comments, since the flow of answers is in sync with the arrangement of the customer's text. Should any comment expressed by the client be unclear in some manner, pose questions designed to obtain more detail. Avoid phrasing your questions so that simple yes or no responses are likely. Ideally, you want enough detail in return to fully address any remaining issues on the client's mind.  Can you please explain the customer service interactions with which you are unhappy? Which items did you purchase, and which are unsatisfactory? Would you please provide the details of the sales transaction, including the date, time, and sales ID number? Customers that are upset are unlikely to respond kindly to anything except acknowledgement and understanding of their complaint.  The customer is always right.  Under nearly all scenarios, it does not behoove you to blame the customer for a mistake.  Chalk up any interactions like this as a way to win over a customer. Do not get into an argument with the customer via email.  Keep attempting to resolve the situation by offering multiple solutions to the problem. Offer realistic answers.  While some difficult customers may ask for unrealistic outcomes, it’s best not to even suggest something that can’t be delivered.  Only mention what can be done to remedy the problem. Even if a client wants something that cannot be done, don't respond negatively.  Include what solutions are available to address the underlying issue, especially if the fault is with your company.  Ultimately, clients are more interested in what providers can do rather than what they can't.  Thanks for the email.  We’ve found the source of the error and are would like to recompense you with 15% off of your previous order. We appreciate the time you’ve spent to contact us.  We’d like to offer you a full refund on the faulty product.  Thank you for your business! Sorry for shipping the incorrect item to you.  We’ve already sent a replacement via overnight shipping.  Please consider the first item a gift. Your email has brought attention to a problem of which we were unaware.  Thank you.  Please use the attached coupon and accept a complimentary meal on your next visit. Ask the customer for suggestions.  They may find your solution insufficient.  Provided the request is reasonable, it’s possible you’ll gain a valued customer by allowing them to dictate their own terms. Ensure your company follows through with the solution provided, and the customer is satisfied.  Never leave an issue unresolved.

Summary: Thank the customer for the email. Apologize for any wrong-doing. Set reasonable expectations for responding with answers. Address each topic mentioned in the customer email. Ask clarifying questions. Handle angry customers with care. Offer solutions without excuses. Monitor follow-up correspondence with the customer.


If you have fabric placemats, do not let any stains or spots sit on the fabric for very long. Remove stains right away, as the longer they sit on the placemats, the more difficult it will be to get them out. Foods that tend to stain fabric, like tomato, mustard, and coffee, should be removed right away if they get on the placemats. You may keep 2 sets of placemats, 1 made of vinyl or plastic and 1 made of fabric. Use the fabric placemats for special occasions, as they will be more difficult to clean if they get dirty. Use a clean cloth or a sponge that has been dampened with soap and water. Dab any stains or spots on the mat until they come out. Do not scrub or rub the mats, as this can damage the fabric. Once you have spot cleaned the placemats, let them air dry flat on a clean towel. You can also hang them on a clothesline to dry. For stubborn stains, try a cleaner that is safe for use on fabric, such as an all-natural cleaner or liquid detergent. Make sure the cleaner does not contain harmful chemicals like bleach or ammonia. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to the mats with a damp cloth or sponge. Let the placemats air dry once you have cleaned them. Make sure all the cleaner is removed from the placemats before you let them air dry. Check that the fabric placemats are washing machine safe before you put them in your washer. Most fabric placemats can go in the washing machine. Once you have washed the placemats, let them air dry. Air drying them will ensure they do not get damaged by the high heat of the dryer. Do not wash towels or clothing with the placemats, as this can lead to pilling. Wash only the placemats and other fabric items like table runners or table cloths together.

Summary: Remove any stains or spots immediately. Spot clean the placemats with soap and water. Use a fabric-safe cleaner on the placemats. Put the placemats in the washer if it's safe to do so.


You can use new, clean, heat-treated pallets to make simple, neat raised beds. You can take the pallet apart to make a deep raised bed from the timber, or just lay one on the ground to make a shallow raised bed.  Keep in mind that you won't be able to raise the bed too high with just one pallet, but it's a good start. Raised bed gardening means you don't need to bend down as much to tend plants, need to dig less and it really helps improve drainage. Ideally, you should start by eliminating weeds underneath where your raised bed will go. Try chemical controls, or lay down some newspaper or cardboard.  You'll want to close up the edges of the pallet all round the narrow sides, to prevent weeds from poking through. To do this, you can nail thin planks around the 4 edges, or use strips of weed control fabric. Plant it up through the slats and water well. Because you are raising the bed very little, this method will work best for shallow-rooted plants such as lettuce and strawberry.
Summary: Decide what kind of raised bed you want to achieve. Eliminate any weeds and close up the edges of the pallet. Lay the pallet on the ground and fill with compost.