Final answer:
The most warranted scenario for a follow-up call is when a customer's initial warranty is expiring, and a sales associate can offer them a service contract for extended coverage. This follow-up is timely and provides value to the customer in light of planned obsolescence. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario that most warrants a follow-up call from a sales associate to a customer is: a customer did not purchase the extended service plan at the time of purchase, and the manufacturer's warranty is expiring. This situation presents a timely and relevant opportunity for the sales associate to offer a service contract to extend protection for the customer's purchase.
In the context of planned obsolescence and the potential higher cost of future repairs or replacements, offering the service contract as the warranty nears expiration is both helpful to the customer and potentially advantageous for the business.
Sellers often offer service contracts as an add-on to the standard warranty, providing extended protection for a fee. These are common for large purchases like cars, appliances, and sometimes even houses, offering peace of mind that any defects or issues will be resolved with little to no additional cost during the contract period.
Following up in this scenario is essential to ensure customer satisfaction and to bolster the relationship between the customer and the business. It is a proactive step that can help mitigate any inconvenience to the customer associated with product failure after the warranty has expired, consistent with the idea of maintaining customer trust and loyalty despite planned obsolescence trends.
Hence, Option a is correct.