--- title: How to Get Off the “Hamster-Wheel” of Attrition - CCSalesPro description:   Today I want to talk to you about getting off the “hamster-wheel” of attrition.  We’ve all been to the pet store or had our own hamster as a kid.  We’ve seen a hamster on its wheel running and running and running!  The hamster thinks he is really making a lot of progress.  Obviously, we […] image: https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Hamster-Wheel_jpeg.jpg --- Blog # How to Get Off the “Hamster-Wheel” of Attrition Today I want to talk to you about getting off the “hamster-wheel” of attrition. We’ve all been to the pet store or had our own hamster as a kid. We’ve seen a hamster on its wheel running and running and running! The hamster thinks he is really making a lot of progress. Obviously, we […] [ James Shepherd ](https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/author/james-shepherd) May 10, 2018 --- [![](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Asset-7-100-1-e1509380585533-May-04-2023-05-22-30-6526-PM.jpg?width=123&height=47&name=Asset-7-100-1-e1509380585533-May-04-2023-05-22-30-6526-PM.jpg)](https://soundcloud.com/merchant-sales-podcast/5-10-18a)[![](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/listen-on-itunes-May-04-2023-05-23-00-5273-PM.png?width=121&height=47&name=listen-on-itunes-May-04-2023-05-23-00-5273-PM.png)](https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ccsalespro/id492171266?mt=2)   Today I want to talk to you about getting off the “hamster-wheel” of attrition.  We’ve all been to the pet store or had our own hamster as a kid.  We’ve seen a hamster on its wheel running and running and running!  The hamster thinks he is really making a lot of progress.  Obviously, we know he’s not**.  Running in place gets you nowhere.  ** Unfortunately, I see a lot of merchant services reps doing this same thing.  If a rep reaches a level of one hundred and fifty merchant accounts but loses forty accounts that same year, he is in trouble.  He may sell forty-two accounts by the end of the next year, but he still only has one hundred fifty-two accounts.  This rep is on a hamster wheel, running as fast as he can but not making any progress.  **The problem is attrition.  **Reps are losing too many customers. I would like to talk about a new course just posted.  Go to **[instantquotetool.com](https://www.instantquotetool.com/).**  Click on “[training](https://www.instantquotetool.com/courses)” and scroll down until you see a course titled “**Customer Service**** – Referrals and Retention**.”   This course talks about how to generate a referral engine and reduce attrition, just to mention a few topics addressed.  I’m going to give you a few highlights of the course in this episode. **There can be many reasons for a high attrition rate.** We all know Issues can arise from many areas; processors, terminals, or problems may arise from the type of expectations set from the beginning. 1. One of the first things we need to talk about is the idea of setting expectations. Too many of you are concerned with providing a specific level of support. **To be setting the right expectation for your merchant is more important.** We talk more about what the right expectation is and how to meet that in the “[**Customer Service**](https://www.instantquotetool.com/courses)” training course. 2. **Are you a problem solver?** Another item we discuss in this training episode is handling problems. Let’s talk about when a terminal goes down. Do you have at least one spare terminal in the trunk of your car right now?  You should have one ready to be programmed for a merchant.  The training episode gives more detail as to why terminals go down and how you should handle that situation. 3. A common pitfall in customer service is telling your clients what they want to hear instead of focusing on fixing their problem. If your customer has an issue right now, don’t just instantly promise, “Oh, we’ll have that fixed by the end of the day.”  No, take some time before setting the expectation.  Tell him/her when you will follow up but don’t make a promise you cannot keep.  **Focus on fixing the customer’s issue rather than just trying to make the merchant happy.** We cover all of these issues and many more in the training course on [**instantquotetool.com**](https://www.instantquotetool.com/) titled “[**Customer Service**](https://www.instantquotetool.com/courses).”  Be sure to take advantage of this to get off that “hamster-wheel” of attrition.  Learn to understand the specific issues merchant services reps face and how you can overcome them. View IQ Training [HERE](https://www.instantquotetool.com/courses): “[https://www.instantquotetool.com/courses](https://www.instantquotetool.com/courses)” (You can sign up for a free 30-day trial if you are not already a current subscriber to James’ exclusive training. [START TRIAL NOW](https://www.instantquotetool.com/users/sign_up)) ***Read previous post:  [Cash Discounting Residuals – The Most Important Variable](https://www.ccsalespro.com/cash-discounting-residuals-important-variable/)*** > [Cash Discounting Residuals – The Most Important Variable](https://www.ccsalespro.com/cash-discounting-residuals-important-variable/) ***Read next post:  [Content Marketing in Merchant Services](https://www.ccsalespro.com/content-marketing-merchant-services/)*** > [Content Marketing in Merchant Services](https://www.ccsalespro.com/content-marketing-merchant-services/) [Blog](https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/tag/blog) [![https://www.ccsalespro.com/2026](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/images/blog%20sidebar/Vertical%20Mastery%20Webinar%20ad.jpg "https://www.ccsalespro.com/2026")](https://www.ccsalespro.com/2026) [![https://fullstackpayments.com/download-app](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/images/blog%20sidebar/FSP%20vertical%20ad.png "https://fullstackpayments.com/download-app")](https://fullstackpayments.com/download-app) [![How to Sell Merchant Services eBook](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/images/blog%20sidebar/ads-for-website-2.jpg "How to Sell Merchant Services eBook")](https://www.ccsalespro.com/how-to-sell-merchant-services-in-6-steps) [![GetIsoAmp.com](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/images/blog%20sidebar/ads-for-website-(1).jpg "GetIsoAmp.com")](https://getisoamp.com/index.php/request-demo/) ## Similar posts Blog ### [How to Sell Point of Sale Systems to your Merchant Services Clients](https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/how-to-sell-point-of-sale-systems-to-your-merchant-services-clients) Many agents in the merchant services industry are running into more and more businesses who already have or want to purchase a point of sale systems.... James Shepherd Feb 2, 2013 Blog ### [News Alert: Kroger and Visa Part Ways. Why they stopped accepting Visa](https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/news-alert-kroger-visa-part-ways-stopped-accepting-visa) What happens if well known, nationwide stores stop accepting Visa? Will their sales plummet? No one really knows. Kroger, the third largest employer... James Shepherd Aug 29, 2018 Blog ### [How to Start and Run a Merchant Services Business](https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/how-to-start-and-run-a-merchant-services-business) If you are thinking about starting and running a merchant services business, check out this post to learn the strategies for success. James Shepherd Oct 18, 2014 ### Get notified about new blog posts Enter your email to have each new CCSalesPro blog article delivered straight to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time. ![CCSalesPro logo white on dark](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/cc-sales-pro-footer.png) Text "Free" to (814) 482-2090 to get my latest eBook [![Facebook](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/icons/social-icon-facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/ccsalespro) [![LinkedIn](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/icons/social-icon-linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ccsalespro/) [![Youtube](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/icons/social-icon-youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/CCSalesPro) [![Soundcloud](https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/icons/social-icon-soundcloud.png)](https://soundcloud.com/merchant-sales-podcast) - [Home](https://www.ccsalespro.com/) - [Blog](https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog) - [Podcast](https://www.ccsalespro.com/podcast) - [Training](https://www.ccsalespro.com/training) - [Partners We Trust](https://www.ccsalespro.com/companies-we-trust) © 2026 CCSalesPro, Inc. All rights reserved. Various trademarks held by their respective owners. CCSalesPro, Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "James Shepherd", "url" : "https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/author/james-shepherd" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-04T17:23:58.698Z", "datePublished" : "2018-05-10T09:00:31.000Z", "headline" : "How to Get Off the “Hamster-Wheel” of Attrition - CCSalesPro", "image" : [ "https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Hamster-Wheel_jpeg.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.ccsalespro.com/blog/get-off-hamster-wheel-attrition", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.ccsalespro.com/hubfs/ccalespro%20-%20white%20background-2.png" }, "name" : "CCSalesPro" } } ```