Customers go through several stages in their decision-making process before and after purchasing a service. In the pre-purchase stage, customers become aware of needs, search for information from multiple sources, and evaluate service attributes which can be search-based, experience-based, or credence-based. Perceived risk is also evaluated. During the service encounter stage, customers interact with the service through its production, delivery, physical environment, personnel, and other customers. In the post-encounter stage, customers assess their satisfaction based on whether the service met, exceeded, or fell short of their expectations.