The Standard of “Would We Recommend It to Family?” | The One Measure We Use When Deciding Quality

When choosing something you use every day, what standards do you rely on? Price, reviews, the beauty of the packaging. We believe all of these are important measures.

But on the making side, there is also a measure we will not compromise on. It is not expressed in flashy words, but it is a quiet standard at the root of every decision.

For those of us who operate Value Village, there is one question: “Could I recommend this to my own family?” Today, please allow us to share a little about that standard.

To begin with, what is a measure of quality?

A measure of quality is the axis of judgment that decides what we consider good. Ingredient safety, how it feels to use, and whether it is easy to keep using. Some things can be measured, and some cannot be reduced to numbers. What we value above all is whether the makers themselves can be truly satisfied with it. Does it meet the ordinary standards of doing the basics: providing moisture, preventing dryness, and keeping the skin healthy? Can we speak about it with certainty rather than exaggeration? That is where our measure begins.

Why do you use “Would I recommend this to my family?” as your standard?

Because family is the most honest audience. To someone we do not know well, we might be able to make things sound a little bigger than they are. But when handing something to our own parents, children, or loved ones, people somehow find it hard to lie. “Is this really okay?” We want to release only things for which we can proudly nod yes to that question. That is why we always place this question before the numbers in a meeting room. If we cannot recommend something to our family, we cannot recommend it to anyone else. That is how we think.

How does that standard appear in actual making?

The easiest place to see it is in moments of subtraction. Instead of adding an ingredient just because it is talked about, we ask again whether it is truly necessary. Anything that could become irritating is handled with care, even if it is currently popular. We disclose all ingredients openly and carefully verify them according to our domestic in-house standards. We choose what can be continued every day with peace of mind over words that claim dramatic effects. The accumulation of each of these small decisions is our answer to the question, “Would I recommend this to my family?”

How are “good things” and “things that sell” different?

To be honest, these two do not always match. If we stir up anxiety with strong words, something might sell for a short time. But that is not a way of selling that we could recommend to family. What we aim for is for the person who chose it to think, six months or one year later, “I’m glad I chose this.” Rather than selling something once in a hurry, we want to stay close over time and continue to be chosen. That is why, before asking whether something will sell, we ask whether we can recommend it. It may look like the long way around, but we believe it is the surest path.

Will this standard remain unchanged?

Methods of making things, technologies, and the times will all continue to change. But we have no intention of changing the question, “Would I recommend this to my family?” That is because it is connected to the belief INSTINCT BROTHERS Inc. has always valued: people before products. No matter what we make new, we return to this question. That is our unchanging promise.

We would be happy if you kept somewhere in your heart the idea that each item you pick up carries the small question, “Would I recommend this to my family?” We hope to continue being a part of your life that can stay close with peace of mind.