Final answer:
The statement is false because it is important to address customer complaints promptly, ideally while the customer is still at the business location, to ensure immediate resolution and maintain customer satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the best time to deal with a customer's criticism is after the complaint has occurred and the customer has left the business location is false. It is generally accepted in customer service that complaints should be addressed as quickly as possible, ideally while the customer is still present and the issue is fresh. This allows the business the opportunity to resolve the issue to the customer's satisfaction, maintain the relationship, and potentially prevent negative word-of-mouth or public reviews which could harm the business's reputation. Effective customer service includes listening to the criticism, acknowledging the issue, apologizing if appropriate, and then taking action to rectify the situation or compensate the customer if necessary.