A response to Kendra's post

Media and Marketing affecting self-esteem question:
Do you think a person should be strong enough to deal with media and stereotypes on their own or should the media and marketing strategies be changed? Do you think companies feel bad for false advertising and taking advantage of people buying products to improve their appearance? Do you think if “regular” people had always been featured in advertisements that there would be less self-esteem problems in America?

I think that people should be able to pick and choose which marketing tactics that they fall for, after all, it's your choice whether or not you want to dress or look a certain way.  I do believe that companies heavily influence these actions, but that's just the name of the game, right?  I don't believe that most companies feel bad for advertising to people, they are simply offering products and services and giving examples (even if they are far-fetched).  I do however believe that if the average person was featured more often in advertisements that there would be less self esteem problems in America, but people would naturally gravitate towards buying products where the people look better. 

Product (RED)

1. I believe that Gap's partnership with Project (RED) is definitely going to improve their image by promoting corporate responsibility, and the effects are already starting to pay off-just take a look at the revenues. 
2. Myspace, The Ipod Nano, and the MotoRazr are a few examples of modern technology that was used to promote Product (RED).
3. I believe that the campaign could potentially lose followers because of the relatively low amount of money actually donated to the cause, but 25 million dollars is quite a pretty penny in my eye, and although industry observers might expect a backlash, I do not believe it would make such an effect as to shut the whole thing down. 
Do you think that because only $25 million was actually donated to the cause, and $100 million was spent on marketing, that there will be powerful acts to shut down the operation? why?

Customer Satisfaction vs. Customer Value

Customer value and customer satisfaction are dependent on one another.  When a person purchases a good or service, they are assigning a particular level of value to the product or service.  In turn, they expect a similar rate of satisfaction from their purchase, which will vary depending on how much the customer values it.  To use the Iphone as an example, Customer value is usually very high, because it is a well sought after device that has nearly unlimited uses.  However, if customer satisfaction was low, they would refrain from buying the Iphone, and search for another product that they highly value.  Customer value directly links to customer satisfaction, and vice versa- they are interdependent.  With low customer value comes low customer satisfaction, but you get what you pay for.

Which factors do people take into account when determining customer value?

A response to Drew Ferrar's post

The question is: Would you be satisfied with a product that is suppose to do amazing things yet it you take it home and it is a piece of junk?
 My answer is no, this would seem obvious to most people, but it happens everyday and companies lose customers to this tragedy all the time.  Nobody should be satisfied with a product that underperforms, however if it is simply a miscommunication and the customer cannot properly use the product, than it is the companies job to provide easy to use directions/training.  When my mother first got her smartphone, she was angry because the bills were so high and she wasn't valueing the device at the proce she was paying.  After I showed her all the features that she could use, and how much time it could save her in a day, she learned to appreciate the product and valued it more.  In turn she was more satisfied and willing to pay the price.