Abstract
The effect of return policies on market outcomes is studied in a model where consumers differ in their valuations of time. Product reliability is identified with defect rates. Producers first choose reliability levels and then compete in prices. For given defect rates, allowing returns makes products closer substitutes, enhancing competition and reducing prices. Being closer substitutes makes higher reliability less worthwhile, which reduces reliability. While the decrease in reliability reduces consumer welfare, the decrease in prices raises it. The latter dominates, so that aggregate consumer welfare increases with return policy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 296-316 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Canadian Journal of Economics |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 Feb |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics and Econometrics