After greeting a customer, what is the next critical step?

Determining exactly what the customer needs is crucial in delivering effective customer service. This step allows the representative to understand the customer's preferences, questions, and specific requirements. By accurately identifying the customer's needs, the representative can tailor their assistance, provide relevant information, and suggest suitable products or services. This approach not only enhances the customer's experience but also builds rapport and trust between the customer and the business.

Other options, while potentially relevant in different contexts, do not directly address the immediate need to assist the customer efficiently. For example, asking about the customer's budget can be useful later in the conversation, but prioritizing needs ensures that the customer feels heard and valued right away. Inquiring whether a customer has shopped before may provide some context but does not facilitate immediate assistance. Finding out how much time the customer has for shopping could help manage expectations, but it should come after understanding their needs. Ultimately, the focus should be on identifying and serving the customer’s needs first, leading to a more positive interaction.