In: Finance
Define and discuss the unique aspects of services as compared to tangible products.
Sl. No. | Aspect | Services | Products |
1. | Intangibility | Intangible, can't be touched or felt; can't experienced or consumed prior to purchase | Tangible, visible, can be touched, felt, can be tested, experienced or consumed prior to purchase |
2. | Inseparability | Has to be produced and consumed at the same place, can't be transported or shifted | Can be produced at place, transported and consumed else where. |
3. | Perishability | Perishes, an opportunity lost can't be recovered again. If your hotel is just half occupied tonight, the 50% opportunity of service revenue is lost tonight. The same can't be made up tomorrow. | If an item is not sold today, the same can be sold tomorrow; hence non perishable in general, can be stored; have shelf life. |
4. | Variability | Quality of services vary depending upon who provides it, where is it provided and so on. Consistency may not be there. | Consistent, standard features, standard product, less variability, by and large consistent |