Search good

In economics, a search good is a product or service with features and characteristics easily evaluated before purchase. In a distinction originally due to Philip Nelson, a search good is contrasted with an experience good.

Search goods are more subject to substitution and price competition, as consumers can easily verify the price of the product and alternatives at other outlets and make sure that the products are comparable. Branding and detailed product specifications act to transform a product from an experience good into a search good.

References

Luis M. B. Cabral: Introduction to Industrial Organisation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, 2000, page 223. ISBN 0-262-03286-4
Philip Nelson, "Information and Consumer Behavior", 78 Journal of Political Economy 311, 312 (1970).

This economics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

v t e Types of goods
Public goods Private goods (includes household goods) Common goods Common-pool resource Club goods Anti-rival goods Global public goods Global commons
(Non-)Rivalrous goods and (Non-)Excludable goods
Complementary goods vs. Substitute goods vs. Independent goods
Free goods vs. Positional goods
(Non-)Durable goods Intermediate goods (producer goods) Final goods Capital goods
Inferior goods Normal goods (Necessity goods) Neutral goods Ordinary goods Giffen goods Luxury goods Veblen goods Superior goods
Search goods (Post-)Experience goods Credence goods
Merit goods Demerit goods
Damaged goods Composite goods Intangible goods

Search good

References

Navigation menu

Personal tools

Namespaces

Variants

Views

More

Search

Navigation

Tools