Nowadays, wherever you go, it seems like you always encounter at least one person in the service industry who is simply out to get you. Whether it’s a rude drive-thru worker, a pushy salesperson, or that guy at the Superstore who refuses to take back your old, broken vacuum…the customer isn’t always right anymore. But who even came up with that saying anyway?
Marshall Field, ranking #11 of the 30 Richest Americans of All Time, first said the famous words, “The customer is always right.” Field’s net worth at his time of death in 1906 was $66 billion dollars…yes, billion with a “B.” Much of his money came from Chicago real estate, but he also owned and operated a retail establishment called Marshall Field and Company. You can thank Marshall Field when doing your shopping this holiday season. His philosophies and high standards back in the day set the bar high for modern retailers. He was the reason many stores began openly displaying their prices and offering refunds and exchanges…most of the time.