Reducing Friction is a New Marketing Advantage

Lately, I've been have great interactions with retailers and service providers.

• First it started with Home Depot.  I ordered 7 of one product online.  They shipped 6 that day, but 1 items was incorrect, even though it was from the same company.  I thought I would need to go into the store to return the incorrect product and get the correct product.  Instead, Home Depot just shipped me the correct product and offered a gift card for the mistake.
  
  
• Next it was Kroger which did not credit my $1 digital coupon discount to the purchase.  I called the customer service number, talked with the AI agent, and the error was corrected.
  
  
• The last one was Costco and Apple.  Last week, I bought my son AirPod Pro 3s for $249 since the price was only good until 4/11/26.  On 4/12/26, the price was reduced to $199.  Costco has a 30 day price match.  I took in my receipt and received ad $53 credit, including sales tax. 
  
  On the same day, a current AirPod was damaged by water.  Since we bought it at Costco, it came with AppleCare+ for no extra cost.  I called Costco who referred me to the Apple Store.  The rep at the Apple Store asked me for a few pieces of info, like the AirPod serial (which is in on the charging case on the Apple unit it connects to) and confirmed AppleCare+ was active.  If we file a claim, they can express replace the AirPod for $31.  
  
  

Cool.   Easy peasy.   The retailers made it frictionless easy. I will continue to use these brands.

Disclosure:  I did not receive any compensation for this post from Home Depot, Kroger, Costco nor Apple.  

For more on Ideas You Can Use, check back every Tuesday for a new segment.

This is not financial, business advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2026 Achievement Catalyst, LLC