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Client and Customer
When should use the word client and when should use customer?
Re: Client and Customer
In the U.S, generally, a client is one for whom a service is performed, often under contract and usually by a person in the professions; lawyers, engineers, real estate agents, brokers, investigators, etc., perform services for clients and are paid fees rather than a fixed price.
Customer is a broader term most often applied to sales and usually applies to a person to whom goods, and some services, are sold Stores, auto dealers, salesmen, repairmen, banks, utility companies, gas stations, etc., have customers.
A client/customer is anyone who avails themselves of, and pays for whatever services or goods are being offered but client is a little more fancy. Upscale fashion houses or department stores or beauticians or massage parlors might refer to their customers as clients because it sounds more refined.
I might add that, obviously, there is no absolute rule regarding the use of these two words.
Last edited by vicente; 07-11-2012 at 02:32 AM.
vicente
Re: Client and Customer
in web terms, the client is the browser that the user used to visit a website. in this case you can't say "customer"
Re: Client and Customer
Very clear explanation vicente!
Re: Client and Customer
Really interesting and clear!!! Thank you for clarifying!
Guadalupe
Re: Client and Customer
In general, both the terms 'clients' and 'customers' refer to a person or organization that buys goods or services.When a company has a ongoing interaction with someone, that person tends to be referred to as a 'client' rather than a customer.
Re: Client and Customer
I agree with bethworthy, you would refer to someone that you have an ongoing interaction with as a "client". From my experience with my aunt and her flower shop, the people that came in on a regular basis were considered her clients and she referred to those that would walk in as customers.
Re: Client and Customer
I would beg to differ on just one point: Banks like to use "customer" for what would more correctly be described as "victim".Originally Posted by carmenlm
Re: Client and Customer
Great explanation by vicente. As he said, if you're dealing with services = client, if you're dealing with actual physical products = customers.
But often people use these two terms without making the distinction, so I'd say it's not a dogma you need to follow to the letter.
Oh and as bethworthy said, sometimes these two words are used to make the distinction between a new 'customer' and a recurring 'client'.
Re: Client and Customer
Great explanation Vicente!
I always confuse those ones... But no more
/MatiasC
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