By George Anderson
Doctors may not do much of it anymore, but the house call is alive and well.
Companies including grocery stores, pet groomers, auto detailers, dry cleaners and others are delivering products and providing services at customers' homes and businesses and demand is growing.
Marshall Lieberman, who goes to consumers' homes and businesses to detail their cars and trucks, said convenience tops the list behind why consumers use his service. "They can pay attention to their business and do whatever they have to do and they can have a clean car by the time they want to go to lunch."
Wireless technologies that enable businesses to obtain information and process credit card transactions are a big reason behind the expansion of companies performing house calls, according to John Lehman, director of business development for CardService Merchant Systems.
"Mobile-everything is growing by leaps and bounds, and that is, in large part, due to the technology that makes it all possible," he said.
The impact that high fuel costs are having on consumer behavior and purchases is becoming documented but it also affects businesses that are built on going to the consumer.
Jill Vaughn, owner of TLC Mobile Dog Grooming, said, "Gas is definitely a factor, and if someone is far, far away, I tell them I have to add a gasoline surcharge, and they understand that."
Moderator's Comment: Will home delivery and house call services continue to grow? What factors will influence this growth (or lack of it)? - George Anderson - Moderator