The production and consumption of a service are inseparable. The service itself is the result of an interaction between the physical environment, the service producer, and the consumer. Buying consumer services is often more difficult than purchasing goods. There is no physical product to examine for signs of quality. Evaluation of the service generally occurs after it has been purchased.
Some services are more difficult to purchase than others.
For example, one recent survey found that credit and medical services were the two most difficult services to shop for. Problems and strategies for buying services differ somewhat from those for purchasing goods, although the general decision-making process is similar. From a consumer's viewpoint, it is the degree of difference on these five points which complicates the purchasing of services. Many human factors are important in the purchasing of services. The producer and the service provider are often the same person.