Final answer:
Eric's surgeon's expertise is an example of a credence attribute because it relates to a service (medical surgery) whose quality is difficult to evaluate before or after the service is performed, even for experts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expertise of Eric's surgeon is an example of a credence attribute. Credence attributes are characteristics of a service that are difficult to observe or assess even after the service has been performed. In many professional services, like medical procedures, the specific qualities or outcomes can be hard to evaluate for a layperson because they require specialized knowledge that the customer typically does not possess. Therefore, consumers may rely on indicators such as the surgeon's credentials, reputation, and the overall brand of the hospital.
Similarly, writing reviews about a new hiking trail, or an auto mechanic, often involves experiential and search attributes respectively. Experiential attributes can be evaluated only after using the service, such as the enjoyment of a hiking trail. Search attributes are characteristics that can be assessed before purchase, like the price of a mechanic's service. However, a credence service like surgery solely depends on trust and reputation since it's difficult to measure competency directly before or after the service.