Frank W.
Yelp
I do not recommend this Hudson News. I would like to explain why. I resolved to write reviews that are honest and positive. Reviews are opinions of course. But my opinion about opinions is that if they purport to have a basis in fact then that foundation must be true (versus beliefs that do not contain any claim about descriptive reality). That does not necessarily entail, however, being favorable. The rationale for that is people with an outlook on the world that is more constructive have been shown to live longer. If you were to peruse my output here, then, you would find dozens of detailed accounts of meals and reports on services. I have established a record. I have taken pains not to post anything with a disproportionate condemnation because, say, a waitress was slow bringing a glass of water upon request. That is neither principled nor beneficial to me.
With that background, here is my experience with Hudson News. I went there on April 13, 2022. I had a business trip. I forgot my phone charger. I needed to use the device for a prolonged period. I stopped into the store. I bought a not inexpensive unit. I would not begrudge them the price. That is set by the market. It was my own fault for neglecting to pack properly. The merchant is entitled to offer his goods as he pleases, and I can decide to engage in the exchange or not. We no longer, or I do not, subscribe to Thomas Aquinas's theory of just prices.
After one use, the charger broke. That happens. I am confident it was not user error. I tested it on multiple power outlets with two different phones. I tested those outlets and those phones. It was this specific charger. The quality was wanting.
I contacted the manufacturer. They referred me to the retailer. I also am not complaining about the runaround. Warranties have terms.
I mailed the charger back to Hudson News, with a letter, in a padded mailer. I not only did not receive a refund; I received no reply. That is not acceptable. I know that there are cultures in which customer service norms would not include refunds or replies. People in the United States in general, California included, and Orange County in particular, are, thank goodness, accustomed to standards that embrace backing up products for at least a short duration. The conduct here disappoints reasonable expectations (and also probably violates the law, though the transaction costs associated with a dispute deter any but the most obstreperous, which I am not; this warning to others suffices for my purposes).
This encounter is a good anecdote showing how economics works, especially game theory, as applied in the real world. Hudson News at an airport is not likely to be better than it is. The reason -- aside from enjoying a localized monopoly -- is they do not have repeat players. If you run simulations, or if you observe actual interactions, all of us are more polite around those whom we can predict we will see again, perhaps in the same setting. In contrast, this retailer can be confident they will enjoy my patronage regardless of how they perform. There is no incentive to be decent. Thus Yelp provides the modicum of a remedy. This post could deter others from shopping here, and that outcome would be principled and satisfying.
