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I definitely agree with the author that there are opportunities out there for businesses which provide good service. I'm at a point in my life where I don't act

by bigstrat2003 1y ago

I definitely agree with the author that there are opportunities out there for businesses which provide good service. I'm at a point in my life where I don't actually care that much about price any more. I will pay a premium for a) good quality products and b) good service. I love going to my local butcher shop, even though it's often 25-50% more than the supermarket near me. Why? Because they have great service. If I need some soup bones cut in half to roast, they're happy to take them back and run them through the saw. If I ask for 3" thick steaks, they will say "no problem, come back in a day or two and we will cut some that size for you". They'll break down whole chickens for me if I ask, etc etc. That's well worth the premium in price, and they have a very loyal customer base because of it. Service really does matter.

lotsofpulp 1y ago
It matters for the top 10% of customers (measuring ability and willingness to spend). For the other 90%, there is very little margin in the extra amount they are willing to pay for a material difference in service.
- throwaway2037 1y ago
  This comment really hits the nail on the head. Never listen to Internet strangers (who will very likely fall into that 90% bucket) that "service really matters". Sure, but price matters more for normie consumers. Airlines are the ultimate expression of that. The only airlines left that offer amazing service are national airlines with strong state protections or support. In short, you are probably way overpaying for that service. If I had one dollar for each time an Internet rando said "I will never buy from that store or use that service again because such and such thing happened to me", I would be rich.
  - MrDunham 1y ago
    There was a great comedic bit on this: "Thank you for flying Delta? I'd fly a kite if it was $11 cheaper" I couldn't find the comedian, but the truth in it hits. Side note: if I recall correctly Delta listened to their customers a decade+ back, gave more leg room, then nearly went bankrupt because no one wanted to pay more for the service.
  - SAI_Peregrinus 1y ago
    > The only airlines left that offer amazing service are national airlines with strong state protections or support. Or charter airlines. Very expensive, of course, since they're essentially renting the entire plane + pilot services for one customer at a time.
- moltar 1y ago
  I think that’s the deeper point the article was making. The people are more poor on average that the majority are required to penny pinch and thereby businesses compete on lower prices and nothing else matters anymore.
phoenixhaber 1y ago
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lotsofpulp 1y ago

It matters for the top 10% of customers (measuring ability and willingness to spend). For the other 90%, there is very little margin in the extra amount they are willing to pay for a material difference in service.

throwaway2037 1y ago
This comment really hits the nail on the head. Never listen to Internet strangers (who will very likely fall into that 90% bucket) that "service really matters". Sure, but price matters more for normie consumers. Airlines are the ultimate expression of that. The only airlines left that offer amazing service are national airlines with strong state protections or support. In short, you are probably way overpaying for that service. If I had one dollar for each time an Internet rando said "I will never buy from that store or use that service again because such and such thing happened to me", I would be rich.
- MrDunham 1y ago
  There was a great comedic bit on this: "Thank you for flying Delta? I'd fly a kite if it was $11 cheaper" I couldn't find the comedian, but the truth in it hits. Side note: if I recall correctly Delta listened to their customers a decade+ back, gave more leg room, then nearly went bankrupt because no one wanted to pay more for the service.
- SAI_Peregrinus 1y ago
  > The only airlines left that offer amazing service are national airlines with strong state protections or support. Or charter airlines. Very expensive, of course, since they're essentially renting the entire plane + pilot services for one customer at a time.
moltar 1y ago
I think that’s the deeper point the article was making. The people are more poor on average that the majority are required to penny pinch and thereby businesses compete on lower prices and nothing else matters anymore.

phoenixhaber 1y ago

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