Friday, 8 April 2011

What is the meaning of Value?

This has been a big debate online over the last few days as one of our problems is the confusion between Value and Cheapness. Just because something is cheap doesn't mean it is good value and vice versa. Also I don't think the customer has a true basis for value due to all the insane discounting done by the hotel chains over the years they have been trained to always be looking for the "better" deal. Someone I spoke to this week had an amazing review from a customer and he had chosen her B&B over all other places to propose to his now fiance due to the ambiance and so on yet marked her down on Value despite her being comparable with other lodging establishments in the area. I pointed out they may be confusing value for cheapness or don't want you to be lumped in with motel $40 type places. In B&B's value is in all the little things we do that hotels don't - for example free range local eggs - in a hotel you scrambled will be from powder as that is the cheapest way. Other ways that a B&B has built in Value - fresh breakfast food, cooked to order not reheated on the buffet for 2 hours, Beds and mattresses changed regularly, instant management response to problems (ie can make an instant desicion) local knowledge, fresh milk on request, much higher standard and turn over of renovations, in 4 star or above premises free tea and coffee on arrival, free tea & coffee etc in your room and these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

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