I discussed product safety issues at a recent Trade Practices Act training session I gave. A retailer said that apart from other precautions (including compliance with safety standards), he always gave products a "drop test" before he bought them for resale.
In other words, he dropped the product on the floor from a set height to see whether it would break!
Whilst the test he described was not scientific, it seemed effective and relevant for the products he was buying and made me wonder why we don't "drop test" all the products and services we provide.
Services and non-tangible products should also be subjected to usability tests and mystery shoppers to see if they perform adequately.
Don't wait to be caught out by a regulator's inspector or an unhappy customer's internet review.
Here are some interesting drop tests:
