Anyone who reads this view can think whatever they want about what I have presented here, but I do think there are some valid documented points, which I have cited sources.
Yes as a guy, variety is nice in the world of hobbying.
I have thought about this very topic myself. In fact I felt embarrassed talking about this to a provider once. I know that providers will refer hobbyists to other providers. But I felt funny about what a provider that I may have seen with any regularity would think about my wanting them to give a referral of me to another provider.
Her response was “I’m not your wife.” It didn’t seem to bother her at all that I wanted to see other providers. She didn’t question my motives whatsoever. It’s just that I felt that a provider might think that I was: no longer interested in her, that something about her services was lacking in some way, or even that she was losing a “sale” to someone else. Yet, I remained consistent in seeing them again and again despite seeing other providers as well. That was seemingly due to my becoming good friends with them and perceiving them as not just “service providers”, but as people too. And, that she could possibly reciprocate appreciation to any given hobbyist for their “loyalty” to them with some degree of sincerity. Presentation, attitude, overall service satisfaction, and value perceived by a consumer for a given provider, can carry a great amount of influence.
Then of course you have provider reviews by hobbyists or the thought of providers rating or reviewing hobbyists, which is a whole other thread topic that could be discussed here. But I will leave it alone for my purposes.
This can be as a result of accommodating and compatible personalities between particular hobbyists and providers; a genuine “ mutual liking of each other,” if you will, or not, if things don’t work out well for either or both parties.
The comment about hobbyists not being loyal to their wives isn’t quite accurate in my mind. Loyalty to one’s spouse vs. infidelity for whatever reason doesn’t always fit the profile. You could look at it the same way from the other side with women having affairs against their husbands. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are no longer loyal to their spouse.
In the same way something can be said about “loyalty” to a particular provider by a hobbyist or vice versa.
I recently wrote a research paper for a class in customer service about the power of Word of Mouth (WOM) or “Buzz” as it relates to business and marketing strategies for a business, product manufacturer, or service provider‘s ability to retain the maximum number of satisfied consumers as possible. Generally, it is easier and less costly to retain a current customer than it is to successfully attract and win over a new one, after losing a dissatisfied customer.
In my research for this project I found the following information.
WOMMA, the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association, identifies WOM as having five basic principles. Rosen, (2000) and WOMMA (2010) share the idea of the first principle, “credibility” (Rosen p. 89, WOMMA, n.p.). This means that a company, product, or service provider is dependable, legitimate, or bona fide. WOM must also be “respectful” in providing privacy of various product brands and service types relative to the customers using them. Third, brands enter the picture through online and offline interpersonal communication (being connected), (Berry & Keller, 2003, p.31). People engage by promoting, taking part in, paying attention and reciprocating to “conversations” about products, services, or providers. Next, the buzz must be measurable. Entrepreneurs collect and analyze data to evaluate the success or failure of their particular commodity or resource, which they offer. Finally, WOM must be “repeatable.” This answers the businessperson’s question: Will customers continue to consistently use “my” product or service? (WOMMA, 2010, n.p.).
This last statement leads to another concept that Lawfer (2004), shares with WOMMA and addresses in his book. This is how a marketer attempts to understand the relationship between loyalty and advocacy in terms of the inherent value yielded from his or her customers (p. 22). Loyalty refers to an allegiance given by consumers to their favorite business or service provider, by going back again and again; simply because the company, product, or service is viewed as the best overall in its particular category (WOMMA.2010).
Advocacy means supporting someone or something through continuous personal dedication of what he or she stands for or has to offer. Value can be construed as reaping the benefits of customer loyalty and advocacy. Lawfer (2004) argues that consumer loyalty and advocacy is the best form of advertising, because it potentially does not cost the company or service provider anything. The quality and value, of what has been provided to the customer by a product or service provider, have essentially paid for themselves through advocacy and loyalty; thus giving value back to the proprietors (p.22).
Some consumers will stay loyal to only one business, product, or service provider, simply because of a proven track record of consistent satisfaction even with occasional deviations from one’s “Usual” business, product, or provider choice whatever their motivation. That should be a good thing. But, in this “Hobby”, such “Loyalty” can possibly be viewed negatively. Which has its validity as well, as expressed by Ms. Lady Y.
Thank You
References
Berry, J. & Keller, E. (2003). One American in ten tells the other nine how to vote, where to eat, and what to buy. They Are: The Influentials. New York. Free Press. (Print). 2, 31-32, 36, 38, 39, 42, 44, 52, 58, 63-64, 71, 124, 137
Dent, J. (Director). 28 November, 2011. “WOMMA Defines WOMM”. WOMMA.ORG. (Video).
HTTP://www.WOMMAORG
Lawfer, M. (2004). Why Customers Come Back: How to Create Lasting Customer Loyalty.
E-book. The Career Press. 22
Retrieved from:
HTTP://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.mccneb.edu
Rosen, E. (2000). The Anatomy of Buzz: How to Create Word of Mouth Marketing . New York. Doubleday.
Print. 7, 31, 34-39, 43, 49-50, 89-90, 136-137
so I more than understand when someone wants to see another or I just wasn't his taste.
