[hinkley]

I think this is one of the benefits of raising prices to match supply with demand, that never gets talked about, and instead we bitch about 'greed'.

If I charge more I can keep my warehouses from emptying out. If a whale customer really needs a replacement, I've got one to spare instead of making them wait two weeks. I have ways to bribe critical path employees to show up (everything from good food to comping babysitting costs or buying them replacement tickets so they can stay and fix an issue). I can hire more people and be pickier about their initial skill level. And I can get experts (paid or from vendors) to come tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Vendors who think you have more money to spend or will take away the money you're already spending are often willing to throw you a little extra attention to keep you on the hook. That can be better rates, better maintenance, or a couple hours' worth of advice from one of their greybeards who has set up fifty other companies that work a bit like yours.