Value Vista
You hold the power.

Believe it or not, that sports car you’re seeing is a mirage. But even if it weren’t, it’s just metal, wiring and a paint job until you give it value. Value is a way of measuring what something is worth. And a product or a service is only worth as much as you are willing to pay for it.

Everything has a specific value for everyone — for the seller, as well as each individual buyer, or consumer. But it isn’t necessarily the same for each and every person.

For instance, here we are in the desert. You’re probably feeling pretty thirsty and pretty hot. What is the absolute most you would be willing to pay for a cool, sweet, and icy glass of orangeade? $5? $7? Let’s suppose you would pay up to $8 and not a penny more. That means that the orangeade’s value is $8. So if Bob, here, offers that glass for $8.50, and you decide it’s not worth it to you, then its value is still $8 — and not $8.50.

Bob, who lugged bags of oranges through the desert, squeezed cacti for water, and shredded sugar cane all day, probably thinks that his drink — and the cactus prickles in his hand — are worth $8.50. And Renee, who just ate a huge bag of really salty, dry pretzels, is willing to pay at least $10 for even a sip of Bob’s orangeade. But in the end, you alone decide the value that the orangeade — or anything else — has for you.