Examples of adding value in a business

[bshxxoxu49]

I thought it might be helpful to have a thread that stimulates our thinking and observations around how businesses add value.

I went to a car wash the other day. This is one of those "in between" models where you do the vacuuming but the car wash is automated - you drive your own car through. Normally, I only vacuum once in a blue moon. Saturday, I decided to get out and do a quick vacuum. I noticed when I got out that there were signs saying you could use two complimentary towels. I thought, what the heck. I am not into washing my car, but I thought it would be nice to dust the inside, and it doesn't cost me anything. So I reached into the box and pulled out, to my surprise, a large, damp microfiber towel. And wiped down the inside of my car. Oh, wow, what a difference that made! I spent maybe 10 minutes on it, and the car looked like it had been detailed. There was a drop box for the dirty cloths right beside the box of clean cloths.

[Calvinpync]

When I ran my car through the wash, I chose the most expensive option they had ($13 instead of $5) because this experience a) made me feel generous towards the owner and b) made me want the car looking better than usual. While driving through, I realized I should have wiped down my windows. So after the wash, I pulled into the vacuum area and got another cloth. I wiped down all my windows, inside and out, and then wiped down the entire car to get that layer of grime that a touchless wash can't get.

A full service car wash costs me $25 with the tip. An economy wash with no frills costs me $5. I chose to pay $13, my car looked better than it did from a full service wash, and I got the personal satisfaction of accomplishment with very little work on my part. (Who knew the power of a damp shammy?!?)

[Charlescuh]

Just the other day I was actually thinking about this.

I went to grab Thai food with a friend. My friend asked for an extra side of peanut sauce, and was later billed an extra $0.50. It doesn't seem like much, but he was pissed that the waiter never mentioned that he would be charged an extra fee. That's just not good business. I guarantee you he will never go there again.

On the other hand, I was at a different Thai restaurant a few weeks earlier (I freaking love Thai food), and the owner came out and thanked us for the business. We also got free deserts on the house. This is probably my favorite Thai restaurant - and because I feel appreciated, I naturally want to give them more business.