Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You keep using your current high-quality products.
This is the real-life decision made by shoe repairers Tony Elain and his son Mike.
"Quality work is the most important thing because then customers will keep coming back," Tony says.
His son Mike agrees: "Even though a lot of people can't tell good material from bad material, in the long term it will definitely affect the quality of the repair job, and, in turn, it will affect your reputation."
Cheaper shoe prices have resulted in a lower demand for shoe repairs. More and more people just buy new shoes when old ones become damaged or worn out. Since there are fewer people in the shoe trade, a reputation for quality work is even more valuable.
Successful shoe repairers always use the best quality materials. Poor quality leather soles will dry out and absorb water, leading to cracking. Cheaper glue doesn't hold as long. Cheaper polish will flake.
If customers have a bad experience with your repairs, they'll spread the word around. The opposite is also true. "Always, when you do good work, people tell other people," Tony says.