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Search less for a better price

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  • Eren Bilen
  • Deniz Dizdar
  • Chun‐Hui Miao

Abstract

In many markets, sellers must spend resources to learn the costs of providing goods/services. This paper considers consumer searches in such markets. The findings show that: (i) even with ex ante identical consumers and sellers, there is price dispersion in the equilibrium, (ii) despite price dispersion and minimal search costs, it could be optimal to search just two sellers and (iii) the optimal number of searches can increase with sellers' information costs. Cherchez moins pour un meilleur prix. Dans bien des marchés, les vendeurs doivent engager des ressources pour connaître les coûts liés à la fourniture de biens et de services. Cet article envisage les recherches de consommateurs dans de tels marchés. Nous constatons ce qui suit : i) même avec des consommateurs et des vendeurs identiques ex ante, il y a une dispersion des prix à l'équilibre; ii) en dépit de la dispersion des prix et des coûts de recherche minimaux, il serait optimal de chercher uniquement deux vendeurs; iii) le nombre optimal de recherches peut augmenter avec les coûts d'information des vendeurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Eren Bilen & Deniz Dizdar & Chun‐Hui Miao, 2023. "Search less for a better price," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 56(2), pages 622-646, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:56:y:2023:i:2:p:622-646
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12649
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    References listed on IDEAS

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