A customer tries to return sunglasses she bought earlier in the day because a lens popped out. She removed the tag, which is required for a refund. She’s eligible for an exchange, but there are no more sunglasses in stock. What should the associate do?
a. Suggest she look around the store for something else to exchange the sunglasses for
b. Check to see if the sunglasses are available online to ship directly to her
c. Apologize and suggest she inspect items more closely before buying
d. Tell the customer she’ll need to return to the store with the tag in order to receive a refund
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: (a) Suggest she look around the store for something else to exchange the sunglasses for.
Explanation:
When handling customer returns, it is important to follow store policies while also providing excellent customer service. In this scenario, the customer is eligible for an exchange because the sunglasses were defective, but a refund is not possible due to the missing tag. Since the store does not have any more sunglasses in stock, the best solution is to offer her the option to exchange them for another item of equal value.
Option (a) is the correct choice because it allows the customer to receive value for her purchase while adhering to store policies. By suggesting she look around for another item, the associate ensures that the store maintains good customer relations while also upholding its return policy.
Option (b)—checking if the sunglasses are available online—is a considerate idea, but it is not the most immediate solution since the store’s policy allows only exchanges, not online replacements. Additionally, there may be logistical issues with shipping.
Option (c)—apologizing and telling the customer to inspect items before purchasing—is not helpful and may come across as dismissive or even rude. It does not solve the problem and could result in a negative customer experience.
Option (d)—requiring the customer to bring the tag back—goes against store policy in this case. The customer is eligible for an exchange, so denying her any resolution would be unfair and could harm the store’s reputation.
By choosing option (a), the associate demonstrates professionalism, problem-solving, and customer service skills, ensuring the customer leaves satisfied despite the inconvenience.