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Service
C. and I talked about it on our trip: 'Service'.
We're both very convinced that in the near future cheap prices won't do the trick.
The more and longer super advertisements with super deals get less and less sympathy.
I already mentioned that I bought a more expensive camera in MediaMarket, because of the knowledge and helpfulness of the sales person.
Similar story for my motorcycle: I drive 45min drive to Sint Pieters Kapelle, because the service is good, and my bike spins when out of check up maintenance.
On our trip, C. and I got very often confronted with 'the contest of the cheapest tour', where we were offered cheap tours, eg. for our tour in de Salar de Uyuni.
I really didn't care to pay more than 100$, in return for service and better beds.
And if it wasn't for our lack of time, I am sure both of us would have made sure we got a better organized tour (the food and service was splendid, the hostel on the other hand was very basic.)
Same thing with the bicycle story. The 2 bicycles mentioned are both seen in 2 decent shops in Ghent. Reason: service in short distance.
Both Plum and MovingStore are very (if not very very) decent stores with a known after-sales-service.
Hendrik of MovingStore commented on my post.
On the other hand, today I went to a professional photo-shop to buy a reflection-screen.
Because on the internet, package and delivery costs were rather high (a 35 euro screen with 15 euro delivery...)
At the shop, the screen still costed me 60 euro.
Kind of silly. If it wasn't for the fact that I was there and I was kind of lazy, I would have preferred to buy it on the internet for that effort. You don't have to overkill your service with too high prices that is.
An interesting search I guess: finding the right equity between service and cheap prices.
A search I have to do myself in my own company: being competitive.
Until now, I really figured out that offering service is really a plus to your customers.
Technorati Tags: marketing, sales, service
Posted on July 18, 2007
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Comments (4)
Comments
Hey Ine
I don't work for Moving store :-)
I am a computer nerd ;-) But I like to cycle
Posted by hendrik | July 18, 2007 4:43 PMhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dewan/501326938/
But I do like the stores I mentioned for exactly the same reason you just mentioned.
I do think Plum is a bit overpriced :-)
I bought my bike at movingstore and my girlfriend at joma ;-)
I wish I had a recommendation fee!
Posted by hendrik | July 18, 2007 4:47 PMYou must admit that in general service in Belgium sucks. And - for some of you this will be hard to admit - the best service you get in the States.
It's probably because there are way more brands/services over there and thus more competition. Pricing is one thing to differ but at some level there is no room left for lower prices so companies need to differ in service.
Posted by Bart | July 18, 2007 8:16 PMI agree totally, I never had such service as in the States. I don't know if it is because they are so afraid of getting to be sued, or just a general rule in the US, but it is certainly a fact that you'll probably never get the same in Europe.
Posted by ine | July 18, 2007 8:22 PM