Re: hamburgers & jobs

[Mário José de Lima <mjlima@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Rui Correia wrote:
"Therefore a service can be translated into a good: I can't attend lessons
and learn from my professor who delivers a service. I can then offer to sell
my notes (a product) to anyone who didn't bother with classes and gets
panicky ahead of the exam."

Yes. We are beginning to mix up things!


----- Original Message -----
From: "Rui Correia" <r_correia@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <PEN-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 4:46 PM
Subject: Re: hamburgers & jobs


???

> > > > > Doug wrote: "What about a communications satellite? It's a good, but
its use is
typically sold as a service.

Sure - just like public transport: you pay for the service, doesn't mean
you've bought the tram/ bus/ train.

Anyway, at first as postings began coming in I though it a was a non-debate
- "services are services and goods are goods", I thought. However, after
thinking about it a bit more, I had a different opinion.

A lawyer is normally thought of as providing service. However, hire one for
divorce proceedings or any other matter, and he will print out a few pages
for you to fill in a few blanks, for which you pay a hefty fee. No lawyer/
professional work has gone into that - he sold you a "service" - his 'legal
opinion' - in the shape of a printed form ... a "tangible good - one which
he can stockpile". Therefore a service can be translated into a good: I
can't attend lessons and learn from my professor who delivers a service. I
can then offer to sell my notes (a product) to anyone who didn't bother with
classes and gets panicky ahead of the exam.

Which brings us to copyright - I can go to a Stones concert and pay for the
service. If I by the CD, I am paying for the same music I'd have heard at
the concert .... so, besides the actual disc (a tangible item that I can
stockpile) am I buying a service or a product?

Rui