How Can Internet Comparison Sites Work Optimally for Consumers?

Harriet Gamper ()

Journal of Consumer Policy, 2012, vol. 35, issue 3, 333-353

Abstract: In today's information society, there is such a large amount of available information about any given good or service that consumers are unable to make an informed choice. Internet comparison sites (ICSs) could provide a solution to this problem by comparing markets for consumers and making a comprehensive recommendation. However, currently, they are not fully effective for consumers. Consumers do not trust ICSs because of concerns about commission biases and lack of full market coverage. To be fully effective, ICSs also ought to cover non-price dimensions such as product quality and after-sales service. Changing the economic model from the current two-sided platform to a one-sided platform could solve these problems. In order for this to occur, changes or clarifications to existing EU consumer laws might need to be made. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2012

Keywords: Price comparison websites; Internet comparison sites; Consumer search; E-commerce; Misleading practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10603-012-9195-8

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