'after-sales' originates from the combination of 'after' and 'sales', where 'after' meant 'following in time' and 'sales' referred to the act of selling goods or services.

The term 'after-sales' evolved from the concept of providing services and support following the sale of a product, emphasizing customer satisfaction and retention.

Initially, it meant 'services provided after a sale', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.