[Themaintainers] Consumer well-being + Refurbishment Services

[Julia Durgee]

*Hello, Maintainers,*

Professor Jeffrey Durgee
<https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WlwBCTkAAAAJ&hl=en>, published
this 2018, qualitative research paper on *emotional benefits* of *refurbishing
one's possessions:*

1) Enhances sense of self and well-being
2) Strengthens connections to family members and fellow fans/consumers
3) Increases appreciation for Refurbisher/Service Provider

This article will provide warm fuzzies.
I hope you enjoy the upcoming Maintainers 3 conference.

Thank you,
~Julia Durgee (proud daughter)

[image: image.png]
 Abstract
Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how services might impact a general
consumer sense of everyday well-being or life satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach

It was decided to focus on the existential benefits of refurbishing
services and see how they might impact owner sense of self and overall life
satisfaction. A qualitative study was fielded which consisted of analyses
of website testimonials of customers of refurbishing services for products
such as pianos, watches, boats, bicycles and other durables. Also analyzed
were results from one-on-one qualitative interviews of customers of
refurbishing services and selected refurbishers of similar products.
Findings

The study suggests that refurbish services provide a mix of hedonic and
eudaimonic benefits. They provide an enhanced sense of self and general
well-being insofar, as the newly restored item connects owners to loved
ones, to other collectors or fans and to their own personal life histories.
It also connects them to the refurbishers and their “magic”. Insofar as
refurbishers invite customer involvement in the process, they co-create how
the process will proceed, so customers feel a special involvement and gain
an understanding of the workings of the item and how to best use it.
Practical implications

Refurbishing services might offer, like all the new internet-mediated
sharing services, a more sustainable alternative to the buy-and-dispose
consumption behaviors found in most world economies.
Originality value

This paper provides insights into the lives of products after purchase and
the roles of relevant service providers. It also provides examples of how
service providers in general might deepen and facilitate customers’
feelings about themselves and their daily lives. It shows how service
providers can enhance customer hedonic and eudaimonic appreciation of
provider knowledge, skills and efforts.



(Thanks to Professor Carole Turley
<https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/person/carole-voulgaris/> for telling me about
the Maintainers' cool mission.)
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