New Deal

One of my friends told me that he had used more than five hours to order his new washing machine on the Internet. First trying to find the model he wanted, and then spending three hours trying to find it cheapest. He succeded and saved the equivalent of USD 50. At first that would seem a very small fee for all that work -but it´s not the money that is scarce, it´s the feeling of having made a good choice and a good deal. Ok, so this is a washing machine. It´s one of lifes bigger investments, but not nearly as expensive as many other investements, like your car or house. And it has a limited lifespan. You wouldn´t expect your washing machine to outlast you or even your cat.

So using five hours ordering the right washing machine is making things very complicated it would seem. And it is. Because complicated is the best available way through any bargain these days. You don´t exactly trust any dealer or shop to be trustworthy about any element of the deal. They have inventory they need to move, they have hidden deals with brands and they have floorpeople on strict provision. So you are just the poor fool who has to pay all these people.

But not when you go online. Here everything is transparent. You may have to use five hours on making the right deal -but that´s five hours saved later, when you need a supplier that actually upholds the warranty. And even better, you are now an expert on the strange field of washing machines, and that knowledge is given for free to your peers. Who in return give you respect. So in a transparent world – what is peers telling each other about you? And what experience do you give them to talk about?