At a craft show, a vendor was selling a collection of earrings for a discounted price because they did not live up to his standards. His sign read: “For those who don’t need perfection.” I looked at the earrings and could not see the flaws.
Other established retailers follow a similar pattern of discounting their goods when imperfections appear. I’m a frequent shopper at Wisconsin’s Bargain Nooks where Lands’ End sells its rejects, and often find them to be as good as new to me. Faribault Mill advertised its factory seconds sale with a tagline citing: “Sorry, we’re perfectionists. Incredibly high discounts, incredibly low chance of you finding the flaw.”
Calling attention to your imperfections is a way to preserve your brand integrity and reinforce your quality message. If you dismiss something with such a minor variation, it speaks to how much you value excellence in your work. Instead of hiding your near misses, it may be a better strategy to highlight them.
