This paper assesses the ability of consumers to choose between alternative suppliers. Across two independent datasets from the UK electricity market we find that consumers switching exclusively for price reasons appropriated only a quarter to half of the maximum gains available. While such...

By incorporating the additional existence of switching costs into an oligopoly model of search by Stahl (1989), this paper dispels the misleading idea that search costs can simply be treated as a form of switching cost. Due to the assumption that search costs, unlike switching costs, are...

Within a one-shot, duopoly game, we show that firms cannot use false in-store price comparisons to deter rational consumers from further beneficial price search in an effort to create market power. However, by introducing a consumer protection authority that monitors price comparisons, we...

To provide a more flexible workhorse model of temporary price reductions or `sales', this paper presents a substantially generalized `clearinghouse' sales framework. Our framework permits multiple dimensions of firm heterogeneity, and views firms as competing directly in utility rather than...

Republican Dan Canan, Mayor of Muncie, Indiana, delivered his 2005 State of the City address. Topics of discussion included a tax for those who work in Muncie, Indiana but do not live in Muncie, Indiana, a local sales tax on goods purchased in Muncie, Indiana, and possible tuition increases at...