What is the primary characteristic of a service buy in procurement?

The primary characteristic of a service buy in procurement is indeed the nature of services being intangible goods with variable pricing. In contrast to physical products, services cannot be touched or owned, making them inherently different in how they are procured and priced. For example, labor, consulting, or maintenance services are all considered service buys.

The pricing for services can vary based on factors such as the complexity of the service, the skill level of the provider, and market demand, leading to a variability that is not typically associated with physical products, which tend to have fixed pricing structures.

In summary, the focus on intangibility and the variability in pricing accurately captures the essence of service buys in procurement, highlighting the unique characteristics that differentiate them from the procurement of tangible goods.