Final Customer Purchasing from an Intermediary of the Product

Maintain Steps: Maintain steps include all activities required to keep the product in working order. These steps include the costs the customer incurs to diagnose and correct product problems.

A.
Knowlege – Add knowledge

1. Process where product is used – Explain how product can or should operate in customer cost system.

D. Maintain

Advise on potential problems

No.	SIC	Year	Note
1	5399	2002	California's 323 Walgreens drug stores will soon feature a new "product" on the pharmacy counter: an official report that rates the state's 10 largest health-maintenance organizations and 81of its biggest physician groups. It is part of an effort to put information about the quality of health care directly into consumers' hands. If successful, it could shape patient education efforts nationwide.
2	5621	2001	Sales staff at Chico's use a hands-on approach with the customer, personally assembling and delivering items to the dressing rooms, which have no mirrors, so shoppers must rely on the advice of employees and fellow shoppers.
3	5621	2001	At Chico's, there are no mirrors in dressing rooms, so women have to come out for scrutiny and advice.
4	5731	1994	At Radio Shack customers can call a toll-free number to get a general idea of whether a product is worth repairing. For $20, a prospective customer can get an itemized estimate that will be applied to the repair bill.
5	5945	2002	FAO Inc. sells the best of the top brands and has a lot of customer service. FAO Inc. believes that many well-to-do parents dislike shopping at discount shops and would prefer better customer service when buying expensive products such as strollers, car seats or furniture.
6	6211	2000	Among those moving toward more personal service is discount-brokerage firm Charles Schwab. With a customer base that brings in 250,000 online transactions a day, the firm holds the biggest share of the online-trading market. But Merrill Lynch, the nation's biggest brokerage firm, has made inroads since its bold move online last year. Several factors are fueling the increased interest in personalized services on the Web. Some investors want help in dealing with difficult decisions. Other don't have the time to constantly monitor their dealings.
7	6211	2005	Fidelity Investments has recently launched an analysis tool to allow active traders to develop and test stock-buying strategies.
8	7375	2004	Most comparison-shopping sites include a vendor ranking based on buyer feedback. It is a way for merchants to get prominent listings without having to buy them.
9	8082	1997	Matria is addressing this market by providing services that benefit both the patient and the provider/payor. The patient benefits by receiving individualized screening and education, easy scheduling, 24 hour access to a perinatal nurse, and more.

<<Return to Maintain Steps