As a consumer and customer I continue to be amazed by the stupid things businesses say and do in the name of saving money and/or increasing sales. Even worse we as consumers do economically stupid things without thinking. Some examples (and expect me to return with more):
--Airlines. Need I say much more? Is there anything they haven't started charging for? OK, maybe we don't have pay toilets yet but don't rule it out. If the price of oil rises...well, you know something else is going to go on the pay list, maybe coin-operated seat belts. Here's an idea. How about just charging in your ticket cost what you need to to cover all your costs and make a reasonable profit? Don't like that idea because you know you'll lose business? Try lowering your costs so you can compete. Can't do that? It's time to liquidate or change your business model altogether.
--Cellphones and two year contracts. Are you kidding me? It's a commodity business. Instead of buying the latest and greatest phone everyone just needs to let their contract expire and go month-to-month. The only reason the Verizons of the world get away with this is because we consumers take their bait of the newest gadget. Significant technical improvements to cellphones (maybe the IPhone) can make these purchases justifiable but otherwise, forget it.
--Overseas outsourcing of customer service. That's right. Put your valued customer through automated menus, a series of lengthy holds and finally a human who can barely speak English. Yeah, that'll make them loyal to your product.
--Overpriced food in movie theaters. Isn't it bad enough that the movie business has lost to Netflix and cable? Sure a five dollar candy bar sounds right. Come on, people, it ain't that hard.
August 21, 2008 in
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