A business owner's perspective and a creator's perspective
**** This post is the same as the one posted on "note" ****
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Repeat customers are very important for running a business.
For a restaurant, customers who come almost every day must be very appreciated.
I run a leather goods store, but I don't have customers who come almost every day. At most, it's every few weeks.
The other day, a customer who came to the store for the first time in 8 years bought a replacement for a wallet they had used for 8 years.
For me, that repeat visit after 8 years was incredibly gratifying.
When making leather products, my top priority is always to make them durable for long-term use.
Of course, I'd also be happy if customers repurchased after using a product for 1-2 years, even if not for 8. Honestly, as a business owner, that would be more helpful.
However, as a maker, my true feeling is that regardless of the circumstances, I'm concerned if a product wasn't used for a long time.
I can't help but suspect there might have been some dissatisfaction with the product.
Well, many people buy with the premise of replacing it in a few years anyway, and if they choose our product again even after using it only a little, I believe it's because they liked it.
That said, even from a business owner's perspective, I don't make products with the assumption that they'll be replaced in 1-2 years.
I always make them so they can be used for a long time if desired.
If customers are satisfied with the craftsmanship, they might choose a bag or a key case next, resulting in repeat purchases.
And they often choose our products as gifts for acquaintances.
This time, the customer who returned after 8 years.
I'm posting about it because I was so happy, but what made me happiest was that they loved and continued to use the product for 8 years.
And they chose our wallet again.
It was an event that truly fulfilled me as a craftsman.
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