Final answer:
A sales associate should handle a complaint about service by being professional and resourceful, providing an immediate apology, listening to the customer's concerns, and offering a prompt solution to demonstrate the store's commitment to exceptional customer service.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way for a sales associate to respond to a customer making a return who loudly remarks about the poor quality of service is to remain professional and resourceful. The associate should acknowledge the customer's dissatisfaction and apologize for any inconvenience caused. Following an approach similar to the one in the provided example, the associate could listen attentively to the customer's complaints, provide immediate reassurance, and offer a prompt solution, ensuring to communicate that their feedback is valuable and will be used to improve the service. This could involve explaining the return process step-by-step and ensuring the customer feels heard and supported through the entire transaction. By doing so, the sales associate may not only resolve the current issue but also potentially improve the customer's perception of the store and its commitment to exceptional customer service.