paid a courtesy visit meaning

Definition of 'courtesy visit'

Courtesy visit in british english.

courtesy call in British English

Examples of 'courtesy visit' in a sentence courtesy visit.

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In the realm of customer service, the courtesy call emerges as a powerful tool for businesses seeking to forge stronger connections with their clientele. A courtesy call is more than a routine check-in; it's a proactive gesture that demonstrates a company's commitment to customer satisfaction. In this article, we'll explore the definition of a courtesy call, its role in customer relations, and delve into strategies for making these calls genuinely impactful.

Defining Courtesy Calls

A courtesy call is a deliberate and considerate communication initiated by a business or service provider to touch base with a customer. Unlike routine transactional interactions, courtesy calls go beyond the functional aspects of customer service. They are designed to express appreciation, address concerns, gather feedback, and ultimately strengthen the bond between the customer and the business.

The Human Touch in a Digital Age

In an era dominated by digital interactions, courtesy calls reintroduce the human touch into customer relations. While emails and automated messages have their place, a live conversation demonstrates a genuine interest in the customer's experience and well-being. Courtesy calls provide an opportunity to connect on a personal level, fostering a sense of trust and loyalty.

The Role of Courtesy Calls in Customer Relations

Building trust and loyalty.

One of the primary roles of courtesy calls is to build trust and loyalty. When customers receive a call from a company, it sends a powerful message that their business is valued. This personal touch goes a long way in fostering a positive perception of the brand and can contribute to long-term customer loyalty.

Proactive Issue Resolution

Courtesy calls serve as a proactive approach to issue resolution. By reaching out to customers before problems escalate, businesses can address concerns in real-time, demonstrating a commitment to customer satisfaction. This proactive stance can prevent negative reviews, enhance the customer experience, and showcase the company's dedication to quality service.

Gathering Valuable Feedback

Engaging in a conversation with customers during a courtesy call provides an excellent opportunity to gather feedback. Customers may be more candid in a live conversation than in written surveys, offering insights that can be invaluable for process improvements, product development, and overall business enhancement.

Strategies for Making Courtesy Calls Meaningful

Timing is key.

The timing of a courtesy call can significantly impact its effectiveness. Calls should be strategically timed to coincide with key moments in the customer journey, such as after a purchase, following the resolution of an issue, or during special occasions. Thoughtful timing ensures that the call is relevant and well-received.

Personalization Matters

Personalization adds a layer of sincerity to courtesy calls. Addressing customers by name, referencing past interactions, and tailoring the conversation to their specific needs and preferences demonstrate that the call is not a generic formality but a genuine effort to connect on an individual level.

Empower and Train Customer Service Representatives

The success of courtesy calls hinges on the skills and empowerment of customer service representatives making the calls. Investing in training programs that emphasize active listening, problem-solving, and empathetic communication equips representatives to handle calls with professionalism and effectiveness.

Case Studies: Successful Implementation of Courtesy Calls

Ritz-carlton's personalized approach.

The Ritz-Carlton, known for its unparalleled commitment to customer service, incorporates personalized courtesy calls into its guest experience strategy. Before guests arrive, the hotel's staff often calls to inquire about preferences, dietary restrictions, and any special requests. This personalized touch sets the stage for an exceptional stay and contributes to the hotel's reputation for unparalleled service.

Zappos' Post-Purchase Follow-Up

Zappos, the online retail giant, is renowned for its customer-centric approach. The company goes beyond shipping products by making courtesy calls to customers after a purchase. These calls are not aimed at selling more but at ensuring customer satisfaction, addressing any concerns, and expressing gratitude for the customer's business.

Challenges and Best Practices in Conducting Courtesy Calls

Overcoming resistance and skepticism.

Some customers may be initially skeptical of courtesy calls, viewing them as a ploy to sell additional products or services. Overcoming this resistance requires transparency and a genuine focus on customer well-being rather than a sales agenda. Clearly communicating the purpose of the call and how it benefits the customer is essential.

Integrating Technology for Efficiency

While the human touch is central to courtesy calls, integrating technology can enhance efficiency. CRM systems, call scripting tools, and data analytics can provide representatives with valuable insights into customer history and preferences, allowing for more personalized and efficient interactions.

Elevating Customer Experiences through Thoughtful Communication

In conclusion, courtesy calls represent a powerful avenue for businesses to elevate their customer service and build lasting relationships. Going beyond the transactional, these calls provide a platform for expressing gratitude, resolving issues proactively, and gathering valuable feedback.

By implementing strategic approaches, embracing personalization, and learning from successful case studies, businesses can harness the potential of courtesy calls to create memorable customer experiences. In a competitive landscape where customer loyalty is a prized commodity, the genuine effort demonstrated through courtesy calls can set businesses apart, fostering a positive brand image and contributing to sustained success.  

Disclaimer: This content was created for informational purposes only; the information herein is not intended to be legal advice; anyone reading this should not act, or refrain from acting, upon any of the information herein without consulting an attorney.

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Definition of courtesy call noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

courtesy call

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Dictionary Entries Near visit

vision quest

Cite this Entry

“Visit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visit. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of visit.

Kids Definition of visit  (Entry 2 of 2)

Middle English visiten "to go to a person especially to give comfort," from early French visiter (same meaning), derived from Latin visere "to go to see," from vidēre "to see" — related to vision

Medical Definition

Medical definition of visit.

Medical Definition of visit  (Entry 2 of 2)

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courtesy visit noun

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What does the noun courtesy visit mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun courtesy visit . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun courtesy visit ?

Where does the noun courtesy visit come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun courtesy visit is in the 1870s.

OED's earliest evidence for courtesy visit is from 1875.

courtesy visit is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: courtesy n. , visit n.

Nearby entries

• courtesy call, n. 1867–
• courtesy card, n. 1885–
• courtesy cop, n. 1923–
• courtesy light, n. 1949–
• courtesy morsel, n. 1614
• courtesy officer, n. 1931–
• courtesy patrol, n. 1926–
• courtesy rank, n. 1840–
• courtesy runner, n. 1915–
• courtesy title, n. 1762–
• courtesy visit, n. 1875–
• court faggot, n. 1523
• court fold, n. 1830–46
• court fool, n. 1642–
• court form, n. 1699
• court game, n. 1881–
• court gate, n. 1423–
• court guide, n. 1792–
• court hall, n. 1470–1800
• court hand, n. 1571–
• court hearing, n. 1882–

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Meaning & use

Entry history for courtesy visit, n..

Originally published as part of the entry for courtesy, n.

courtesy, n. was revised in July 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1893)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View courtesy, n. in OED Second Edition

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courtesy visit in English

visit made for the sake of good manners

Use " courtesy visit " in a sentence

1. 17 Our captain put in a courtesy visit during dinner.

2. A Courtesy call or a Courtesy visit is a formal visit that you pay someone as a …

3. While on holiday in Italy, the prime minister paid a courtesy visit to his opposite number in Rome.

4. 2 → Courtesy visit /call Examples from the Corpus Courtesy bus/taxi/car/phone etc • Not all the players get Courtesy cars

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NCAA signs off on deal that would change landscape of college sports — paying student-athletes

A major change could be coming for college athletes — they may soon start getting paid.

A tentative agreement announced Thursday by the NCAA and the country’s five biggest conferences to a series of antitrust lawsuits could direct millions of dollars directly to athletes as soon as fall 2025.

The nearly $2.8 billion settlement, which would be paid out over the next decade to 14,000 former and current student-athletes, “is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a joint statement Thursday night with the commissioners of the ACC, the Big 10, the Big 12, the Pac-12 and the SEC.

The federal judge overseeing the case must still sign off on the agreement, but if it is approved, it would signal a major shift in college sports in which students would play for compensation, not just scholarships, exposure and opportunities.

“This landmark settlement will bring college sports into the 21st century, with college athletes finally able to receive a fair share of the billions of dollars of revenue that they generate for their schools,” said Steve Berman, one of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs. “Our clients are the bedrock of the NCAA’s multibillion-dollar business and finally can be compensated in an equitable and just manner for their extraordinary athletic talents.”

The NCAA and power conferences called the settlement a “road map” that would allow the uniquely American institution to provide unmatched opportunity for millions of students and write the “next chapter of college sports.”

The case, which was set to go to trial early next year, was brought by a former and a current college athlete who said the NCAA and the five wealthiest conferences improperly barred athletes from earning endorsement money. Former Arizona State swimmer Grant House and Sedona Prince, a former Oregon and current TCU basketball player, also contended in their suit that athletes were entitled to a piece of the billions of dollars the NCAA and those conferences earn from media rights agreements with television networks.

Michael McCann, a legal analyst and sports reporter at Sportico , told NBC News in an interview on Top Story with Tom Llamas the case has two components that “move away from amateurism” — one that deals with how players are paid for the past loss of earnings, including money they could have made for name, image and likeness.

“The going forward part is that colleges can opt in, conferences can opt in, as well, to pay players, to share revenue with them, to have direct pay, and that would be of course a radical from the traditions of college sports,” McCann said, adding many would say that change is warranted. “Now the athletes, at least at some schools, will get a direct stake.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though some details have emerged in the past few weeks. They signal the end of the NCAA’s bedrock amateurism model that dates to its founding in 1906. Indeed, the days of NCAA punishment for athletes driving booster-provided cars started vanishing three years ago when the organization  lifted restrictions on endorsement deals  backed by so-called name, image and likeness, or NIL, money.

Now it is not far-fetched to look ahead to seasons when a star quarterback or a top prospect on a college basketball team not only is cashing in big-money NIL deals but also has a $100,000 school payment in the bank to play.

A host of  details are still to be determined . The agreement calls for the NCAA and the conferences to pay $2.77 billion over 10 years to more than 14,000 former and current college athletes who say now-defunct rules prevented them from earning money from endorsement and sponsorship deals dating to 2016.

Some of the money would come from NCAA reserve funds and insurance, but even though the lawsuit specifically targeted five conferences that comprise 69 schools (including Notre Dame),  dozens of other NCAA member schools  would get smaller distributions from the NCAA to cover the mammoth payout.

Schools in the Big Ten, the Big 12 and the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences would end up bearing the brunt of the settlement at a cost of about $300 million apiece over 10 years, the majority of which would be paid to athletes going forward.

The Pac-12 is also part of the settlement, with all 12 current schools sharing responsibility even though Washington State and Oregon State will be the only league members left by this fall after the 10 other schools leave.

Paying athletes

In the new compensation model, each school would be permitted but not required to set aside up to $21 million in revenue to share with athletes per year, though as revenues rose, so could the cap.

Athletes in all sports would be eligible for payments, and schools would be given the freedom to decide how the money is divvied up among sports programs. Roster restrictions would replace scholarship limits by sport.

McCann said the back pay would disproportionately go to some sports — such as football and basketball.

“The schools that I think that are certainly big football schools will probably opt in because they’re going to want to compete, they’re going to want to get the best players, because college football generates a lot of revenue,” he said. 

Whether the new compensation model is subject to the Title IX gender equity law is unknown, along with whether schools would be able to bring NIL activities in-house as they hope and squeeze out the booster-run collectives that have sprouted up in the last few years to pay athletes. Both topics could lead to more lawsuits.

“There are all sorts of areas of turbulence that could present themselves,” McCann said of roadblocks that could arise.

More sports coverage

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• Mario Andretti: Formula 1 owner personally threatened to shut out team Andretti
• Student-athletes are inking lucrative endorsement deals, but a patchwork of laws has created chaos in college sports

Other cases

The settlement is expected to cover two  other antitrust cases  facing the NCAA and major conferences that challenge athlete compensation rules. Hubbard v. the NCAA and Carter v. the NCAA are also in front of judges in the Northern District of California.

A fourth case, Fontenot v. NCAA, creates a potential complication, as it remains in a Colorado court after a judge  denied a request  to combine it with Carter. Whether Fontenot becomes part of the settlement is unknown, and it matters because the NCAA and its conferences don’t want to be on the hook for more damages should they lose in court.

“We’re going to continue to litigate our case in Colorado and look forward to hearing about the terms of a settlement proposal once they’re actually released and put in front of a court,” said George Zelcs, a plaintiffs’ attorney in Fontenot.

Headed in that direction

The solution agreed to in the settlement is a landmark but not surprising. College sports have been trending in this direction for years, with athletes receiving more and more monetary benefits and rights they say were long overdue.

In December, Baker, the former governor of Massachusetts who has been on the job for 14 months,  proposed creating a new tier of Division I athletics  in which the schools with the most resources would be required to pay at least half their athletes $30,000 per year. That suggestion, along with many other possibilities, remains under discussion.

The settlement would not make every issue facing college sports go away. There is still a question of whether athletes should be  deemed employees  of their schools, which Baker and other college sports leaders  are fighting.

Some type of federal legislation or antitrust exemption would most likely still be needed to codify the terms of the settlement, protect the NCAA from future litigation and pre-empt state laws that attempt to neuter the organization’s authority. As it is,  the NCAA still faces lawsuits  that challenge its ability to govern itself, including setting rules limiting multiple-time transfers.

“This settlement is also a road map for college sports leaders and Congress to ensure this uniquely American institution can continue to provide unmatched opportunity for millions of students,” the joint statement said. “All of Division I made today’s progress possible, and we all have work to do to implement the terms of the agreement as the legal process continues. We look forward to working with our various student-athlete leadership groups to write the next chapter of college sports.”

Federal lawmakers have indicated they would like to get something done, but while  several bills have been introduced , none have gone anywhere.

Despite the unanswered questions, one thing is clear: Major college athletics is about to become more like professional sports than ever before.