Older Australians will remember with nostalgia " the Golden Days " of service stations way back in the 1950's. When a driver pulled up at the pumps a veritable army descended to service his or her needs. One asked for the bonnet to be popped - and checked the car's oil and water. Another cleaned the windscreen. A third checked the air pressure in the tyres - and the last filled the petrol tank to the required measure. Competition for market share was so keen that it was not unusual to be presented with a promotional present - perhaps a set of drinking glasses or steak knives - for choosing that particular brand of petrol station.
The term " Service Station " no longer applies. It is very much a " do it yourself " operation these days and hence " Petrol Reseller " would be more appropriate. The car owner is responsible for checking the vehicles oil levels, keeping the radiator fluid topped up - and seeing that the tyres are inflated to the appropriate level.
The modern car has vastly extended service intervals and checking under the bonnet is less necessary because of finer engineering tolerances. What is becoming a danger to car safety is incorrectly maintained air pressure in tyres - and we are seeing the slow disappearance of what used to be termed " Free air and water " !
It is not unusual to have to visit several petrol resellers these days to find one with an air hose that actually works. We seem to be in a " phasing out " era when such free services are no longer considered the responsibility of the reseller. In many cases the air compressor no longer works or the air pressure gauge gives a hopelessly incorrect reading. Some petrol outlets have completely done away with the entire air function.
As a result, a huge number of cars sharing our roads are running on incorrectly inflated tyres - and many have a spare in the boot that lacks sufficient pressure for use in an emergency. An under inflated tyre at speed runs hot - and that can contribute to a blow-out. Correct inflation improves the car economy and extends the life of the tyres - and the vehicle manufacturers insist it is a prime safety measure.
Checking tyre pressure is a dirty job, usually performed at the weekend when the driver is wearing older clothes. The fact that facilities for tyre inflation are diminishing opens the door for the smart entrepreneur to gain market share by providing a needed service that is not available elsewhere.
A large section of the community - older drivers, women, busy people - would welcome a petrol reseller who offered to check customers tyre pressure as part of the service. It would generate brand loyalty and be a very good reason to choose that particular reseller as their preferred source of petrol. In particular, it would illustrate a reasonable alternative to what is being offered by the huge grocery chains when it comes to personal service.
Most drivers are aware that their tyres need regular attention and most feel uncomfortable that they are driving unchecked. They continue to do so - because at present there is little in the way of an alternative.
It seems that market trends are now presenting an opportunity.
An unmet need is the basis for success for those who are prepared to grasp such opportunities ! Finding an unmet need is the " Holy Grail " for those in the business world - and right now opportunity is knocking !
No comments:
Post a Comment