Assessment of Product: The Refrigerator Essay -- Consumer Issues

Customer Expectation for a product changes from one customer to another and so does the definition of quality. In case of a refrigerator there isn’t a product that could satisfy every customers need therefore manufactures have to target their products in different segments. Even if the product caters for a certain customers need, it wouldn’t stop a rival company from bringing new features that customers never imagined and now customers have changed their quality definition. When assessing the quality of a product it is important to understand the thought process of a customer as sales are generated through them. A customer generally has a preconceived idea about the product or service, after consuming they would have perception on how the product or service performed; if the product or service does perform to expectation or even beyond, it would be perceived as a quality product. Evaluation of the LG Refrigerator (GL-M252VM) using the Garvin’s eight product dimensions framework. Dimensions of LG Refrigerator - GL-M252VM It is important to understand that quality varies when product evolves through time. Consider this, when refrigerators were introduced newly it contests on the level of performance and when all competitors are close enough to a certain level customers expect all products to perform (maintain a necessary temperature to keep bacteria away).then competition goes to the reliability stage where they compete on reliability, Durability, Conformance and Perceived Quality once these aspects are meet or even close to judge the completion moves on to convenience stage Features, Serviceability and Aesthetics will be their success factors and product is considered to be a commodity that is contested on price. G... ... Vogue type handle. Works Cited 1) Miner (2010) Re: 8 Dimensions of Product Quality according to Garvin. [online]. Last accessed 3 April 2012 at: http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=45292 2) Press Releases (2011) LG’s Linear Compressor Refrigerators: Technology that Preserves. [online]. Last accessed 3 April 2012 at: http://www.lg.com/za/press-release/article/lgs-linear-compressor-refrigerators-technology-that-preserves.jsp 3) Module 11: Quality Management (2010). [online]. From YouTube last accessed 4 April 2012 at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJNVrY_Z2NM&feature=related 4) Product Support for GL-M252VM.AMDQABN. [online]. Last accessed 3 April 2012 at: http://goo.gl/ziWk1 5) James R. Hood (1998) Consumer Complaints & Reviews [online]. Last accessed 3 April 2012 at: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/lg_refrigerator.html