How should a cashier respond if a customer forgets their wallet?

When a customer forgets their wallet, suggesting they return with payment or place items on hold is the most appropriate response. This approach is courteous and respectful, allowing the customer the opportunity to either go home and return with their payment or hold their items until they can secure payment. It acknowledges their oversight while facilitating a solution that maintains customer satisfaction.

This response demonstrates empathy towards the customer's situation and helps uphold the store's customer service values. Additionally, offering to place items on hold could lead to a successful transaction later, reinforcing customer loyalty.

Choosing to ask the customer to leave items may discourage them from returning, which is not conducive to good customer relations. Advising them to pick cheaper items is inappropriate, as it does not address the reason behind the customer's predicament and could come off as judgmental. Ignoring the situation altogether dismisses the customer's needs and fails to provide any assistance, which goes against the principles of effective customer service.