Final answer:
The sales associate has options such as finding a comparable product, contacting competitors, reserving the product from the next shipment, or finding an in-house alternative to help the customer who needs tax software immediately.
The correct answer is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sales associate faced with a customer whose immediate need for tax software cannot be met because the product is out of stock has several options to help the customer. First, the associate could check for another software program within the same price range that meets the customer's needs. Alternatively, the associate might call a competitor to see if they have the product in stock, thus meeting the customer's need for immediacy.
Another option is to inform the customer when the new shipment arrives and put one program on hold for them. Lastly, the associate can ask the customer about desired features and see if another program in stock would be suitable.
This situation highlights the importance of customer service and the willingness to go beyond to ensure customer satisfaction, including offering comparable products, facilitating purchases through competitors, or finding in-house solutions that can substitute the original request.