'To wow and amaze': Heide Seyer of Dirt Cheap shares what it takes to build a reputation for good customer service

Heide Seyer began working at the Dirt Cheap store in Cape Girardeau in 2010. With hard work and determination, she was promoted from a cashier to assistant manager in 2012, and went on to become the store manager in 2013. Since the store's opening in 2010, Dirt Cheap and its employees have gained a reputation for providing quality customer service as one of the few specialty liquor stores in Cape Girardeau.

__Business Today: Since 2010, how has the Dirt Cheap in Cape Girardeau evolved or improved?__

__Heide Seyer:__ Since 2010, Dirt Cheap has become known as a respectable place of business with excellent customer service in the Cape community. We have enhanced our selection over the years to accommodate the new trends of the seasons. Dirt Cheap has helped in raising funds for organizations within the Cape community by providing donations for special events throughout the year.

__BT: What would you say is the key to effective customer service?__

__HS:__ The key to great customer service is teamwork. As stated in our mission statement, "We strive to 'wow and amaze' every customer," and through the teamwork of every employee, we have raised the bar on customer service. Our company emphasizes the principle of, "If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the customer." Our core values set forth at Dirt Cheap help in maximizing our foundation for excellent customer service.

Cutline:Heide Seyer, manager of Dirt Cheap in Cape Girardeau, poses for a photo on March 8.Laura Simon

__BT: To you, what is the meaning of quality customer service?__

__HS:__ Every contact we have with a customer is our chance to "wow and amaze," and in order to do so, we must understand and appreciate our customers' needs and meet them consistently. It is vital to create open communication between our customers and employees so the requests are met daily.

__BT: How do you encourage others to deliver good customer service on a daily basis?__

__HS:__ The leaders within the store demonstrate what great customer service should look like. Our leaders are on their toes every day to exhibit the standards of our company's customer service standards. Our employees appreciate that the leaders are working with them, and they all are on the same team for providing the service Dirt Cheap was founded on. We do not have to encourage great customer service because we demonstrate from the top down.

Heide Seyer, manager of Dirt Cheap in Cape Girardeau, poses for a photo Tuesday, March 8, 2016.Laura Simon

__BT: What do you enjoy most about your job?__

__HS:__ I just enjoy coming in every day, working with a great team of people and assisting our customers the best way we know how.

__BT: Is there anything else you would like to add?__

__HS:__ On part of Dirt Cheap and myself, I would like to thank our customers for the loyalty and support we have been shown since we came to the community in 2010. We are so honored to be given this opportunity.