Creating Values and HEB

The right to property means the freedom to create, use, keep, trade, and dispose of values. The ways in which this can be done are limited only by human imagination. Last week, I experienced the creation of value in a way that I would have never imagined, but somebody else did. And I appreciate it.

I went grocery shopping at the HEB grocery store in West University, Texas. It was an overcast day, but rain did not seem imminent when I entered the store. Fortunately, I don’t make a living as a meteorologist, because it was pouring rain when I exited the store.

As a responsible adult, I realize that sometimes I might not be properly prepared for changes in the weather, and I will have to suffer the consequences. On this day, HEB decided to absolve me of my transgressions. When I walked out of the store, there were three individuals with large umbrellas, eagerly looking for customers to escort to their vehicles.

Many retailers just want to get you in their store. HEB certainly wants that. But they went a step beyond. They already had my money, but they wanted to help me make the entire experience as good as possible. And that meant helping me get my groceries into my vehicle without being soaking wet.

I certainly don’t expect my grocer to keep me dry from his door to my car door. I expect him to provide quality food for a reasonable price. But HEB offered an additional value to me and countless other customers that day. And they will be rewarded with increased loyalty from me (as well as this blog post).

Life is about creating and consuming values. Property rights protect our freedom to do so.