How may I help you?
Customers will be welcoming of most greetings that are warm, friendly and show genuine interest in them as customers.
It is the false, cold, matter-of-fact, insincere, pushy greetings that customers do not like and are vey suspicious of.
Rapport: is a feeling of comfort and trust between people. It means that we can show that we are responsive and willing to help.
Points to build a rapport over the phone:
Voice tone – Pace – Language – Listen actively – Concentrate – Show interest – Don't interrupt – Respond suitably – Be energetic – Speak clearly – Ask for ideas – Offer suggestions – Discover needs – Overcome objections.
Hi - While taking to customers one has to be formal, i would support 'how may i help you' customers are percious so such words mixed with politeness works wonder......
"May I help you" sounds better. "Do you need anything" sounds as if you are being forced to help the client. "May I help you" is more polite whereas "do you need anything" seems like a teenager being forced to work a part-time job would say it.