Question

A sales associate is responsible for answering the phone and taking orders at the pizza store. It is lunchtime and all other employees are busy helping customers. The phone rings while the sales associate is taking payment from a customer. Which is the best way for the associate to answer the call?

a. say "The pizza store. May I put you on hold?
b. Say "Good afternoon. May I put you on hold?"
c. Say "hold please. " Then get back to the customer as quickly as possible.
d. Say "Thank you for calling the Pizza Store. " Then place the customer on hold and get back to the phone as quickly as possible.

Answer 1

The best option for the sales associate to handle the call while taking a payment is a polite greeting followed by asking permission to put the caller on hold, thus demonstrating excellent customer service and respect.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way for the sales associate to answer the phone would be option b: "Good afternoon. May I put you on hold?" This response is polite and acknowledges the caller with a greeting while also asking for their permission to wait. It balances prompt customer service with the necessity of managing multiple tasks at once, showing respect for both the in-store customer and the caller. This approach is in line with providing excellent customer service, maintaining a professional appearance, and showing commitment to the company's overall goal of serving customers efficiently.