To overcome the problems of intangibility, some service marketers offer samples. Marketers can also work to make benefits as tangible as possible. Inconsistency a. Services are subject to inconsistency , the variability that occurs because delivery is highly dependent on the people providing the service. This can be an advantage when a marketer wants to build a relationship with customers by responding to individual needs. Service providers are only human, which means that their actions can vary.
Inconsistency adds to the risk that customers perceive when buying a service.
Inseparability a. Services are subject to inseparability , which means that production can't be separated from consumption. Service marketers produce nothing until customers buy and use the services. Customers usually judge services by every employee contact and every experience in buying and receiving the service. It is important for service marketers to strengthen customer relationships before, during, and after a purchase. Inventory Restrictions a. Services have inventory restrictions , meaning that they can't be stored in inventory.