Final answer:
The best course of action when you don't know the deadline to file a permit application is to check the office calendar, direct the customer to the website, or transfer them to a supervisor.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a customer asks for the deadline to file a permit application and you do not know the answer, the best course of action would be to check the office calendar for the deadline if that information is typically recorded there. If it is not, the customer could be directed to the website if the deadline is known to be listed online. However, if neither of these options provide a solution, transferring the customer to a supervisor for assistance would be a professional and responsible way to ensure the customer's question is answered accurately and promptly.
It is important to handle the situation professionally to maintain good customer service. Guiding the customer to the correct information without unnecessary delays is key to solving their problem efficiently. It is also important to learn from such occurrences to be better prepared for similar situations in the future.
Tip for future reference: If you inform the customer that you will follow up with them, always mark your calendar to ensure you do not forget to follow up with a phone call or other means of communication.