How Not to Gain A Customer

The other day, I couldn't find the remote for my garage door opener. I don't normally have a need for it because my car has a built-in remote with the Homelink system. I probably haven't looked for the remote in a year. Now I need it (to reprogram a new car), but it's nowhere to be found. I went to Home Depot and to Lowes, but none of their remotes were compatible with my garage door. So, I called a local Genie dealer. They had the remote in stock. Great! No so great. They want $45 for a remote that has a retail price of $25. Overhead, I was told. If they need to have a $20 overhead on a $25 item that they probably bought for half of that then they probably don't deserve to be in business. Anyway, I ordered the remote from eBay for $18, including shipping. That company lost out, not just on the remote, but on any future business. Am I going to willingly do business with a company that takes advantage of its customers so overtly? No, and fortunately I don't have to. This company, Marko Door Products., in Davie, is entitled to sell their products for whatever they choose. Consumers, however, are entitled to do business with whomever they choose.

© Jon Rosen, 2010