What has the Internet given us?
August 13, 2009 | Random Blackouts
“What the Internet has done is given us a nation that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing”
A quote from Bill Maloney, CEO of the American Society of Travel Agent about the increase in Travel Agent use and the decline of Internet based travel booking.
This change is seen after years of Expedia and Travelocity ruling the business.
The discussion is around the value add a travel agent brings to the table by their knowledge and training.
Unlike the internet that just gives you a price and no value (hidden costs, crazy changeovers, user mistakes, Etc)
The Internet does not need to be that way but I would argue all resellers have done up to this point is offer only price and no value.
..and let the consumer get away with it.
This is not just restricted to the Internet: Sam’s club, BJ’s and the other warehouse stores contribute to this situation.
Companies have responded with the “Brand” concept of offering cheap prices and no value. TDK, Philips, Memorex, Verbatim even Taiyo Yuden with it’s value line.
As soon as it’s branded ‘value’ you know you are in big trouble.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/08/12/travel.agent.comeback/index.html
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