Service marketing mix affecting the auto parts purchasing of wholesaler and retailer: a case study of Kitchareon auto parts in Maechan district, Chiang Rai province
Abstract:
This study was a survey research about service marketing mix (Product Price Place Promotion Process People and Physical Evidence) which affecting the auto parts purchasing of wholesale and retail customer of Kitchareon Auto Parts shop in Maechan District, Chiang Rai Province. Also, this study will pave the way for the development of the niche marketing plan for wholesaler and Retailer of Kitcharean Auto Parts In this study, the sampling group totals 140 people chosen by sampling quotas method of 70 credit customers and 70 non-credit customers. The study found that the major demographic represented by male with age between 41-50 years. Also, customers education level is diploma degree and running their own garage. Moreover, the study shown that they have the average income per month between 25,001-35,000 Baht. The studys result indicated that People factor is playing the major role in both retail and wholesale customer buying behavior which selling and technical skills are the major consideration sub-factors. For retail customer, Process factor receives the second highest score. While the selling process, mostly focus on better and different services, is the major consideration sub-factors. The third highest score of retail customer is Physical Evidence factor, product assortment and shop decorations are the major consideration in the sub-factors. The fourth highest score for retails customer is Product factor, which product variety and availability are the major consideration sub-factors. The fifth highest score is Promotion factor which advertisement and word of mouth are the major consideration sub-factors. The sixth highest factor is Price factor which reasonable pricing is the major consideration sub-factor. The lowest score is given to Place factor, convenient location is the major consideration sub-factors. For the wholesales customer, the second highest score is Place factor which rush ordering is the major consideration sub-factor. The third highest score is Process factor, which the result of major consideration sub-factors is same as the retail customer (better and different service). The fourth highest score is Physical Evidence factor, which product assortment and shop decorations are the major consideration sub-factors. The fifth highest score is Promotion factor; which payment period and condition are the major consideration sub-factors. Product and Price factor are representing the same lowest score among the service marketing mix. For Products sub-factor, customers are most concern about product variety and availability. While for Prices sub-factors, customers are focus on credit payment period. In conclusion, from the result of study, the marketing plan of Kitcharoen Auto Parts Shop must be customized to serve the need of specific group of customers in order to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. By this I mean, service marketing plan for retail customer should be focus on the better and different service. Also, shop should improve people skill such technical skill, selling skill etc. While the wholesale customer, service marketing plan should focus on financial factors which will offer on the credit term and payment period. Though, this group has a small amount but they have a high purchasing power and high market value. So, we must try to make them become a long term customer of the shop.