Customer Service Skills Test Question 13 – Responding when a customer missed a deadline after an address error

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Read the background and customer communication, then choose the response you would be most likely to give. Repeat the task after the customer follow-up.

Test part: Part 1: Customer interactions
Practice focus: Fairness and service recovery
Difficulty: Hard

Background

A customer says they changed address online six weeks ago but did not receive a letter requesting information. The case has now closed because the response deadline passed. The record shows the address change was submitted but remained unprocessed.

Customer communication

Customer: I could not reply to a letter I never received. Your system had my new address, so why has my case been closed?

Which response would you be most likely to give?

Response A

I can see the address change was submitted but not applied. I am sorry. I will correct the record and check the review or reopening route for a missed deadline caused by this error.

Response B

The case is closed, so you will need to start a new application even if the letter went to the wrong address.

Response C

I will reopen the case immediately and guarantee that the original application date will be restored.

Customer follow-up

The service allows a late response to be considered by a review team. The adviser can upload the customer’s evidence and the audit record but cannot decide the outcome.

Which response would you be most likely to give next?

Response A

It may be quicker to make a new application and ignore the closed one.

Response B

I will submit the late-response review with the address audit and your evidence today. I cannot decide the outcome, but I will give you the reference and expected review time.

Response C

Because the service made the error, the review team has to accept the late response.

Click to reveal the answers
  • Initial customer communication: Response A
  • Customer follow-up: Response B

Members can unlock the full explanation for all six responses, including why the recommended replies are strongest and what makes the other choices weaker or unsafe.

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