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Competitive equilibrium fraud in markets for credence-goods

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  • Chiu, Yen-Lin
  • Karni, Edi

Abstract

This is a study of the nature and prevalence of persistent fraud in a competitive market for credence-quality goods. We model the market as a stochastic game of incomplete information in which the players are customers and suppliers and analyze their equilibrium behavior. Customers characteristics, idiosyncratic search cost and discount rate, are private information. Customers do not possess the expertise necessary to assess the service they need either ex ante or ex post. We show that there exists no fraud-free equilibrium in the markets for credence-quality goods and that fraud is a prevalent and persistent equilibrium phenomenon.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiu, Yen-Lin & Karni, Edi, 2021. "Competitive equilibrium fraud in markets for credence-goods," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:mateco:v:96:y:2021:i:c:s0304406821000823
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmateco.2021.102519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Edi Karni, 2024. "Preventive-service fraud in credence good markets," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 78(2), pages 593-617, September.
    2. Cao, Yiran & Chen, Yongmin & Ding, Yucheng & Zhang, Tianle, 2022. "Search and competition in expert markets," MPRA Paper 114170, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Liu, Ting & Ma, Ching-to Albert, 2024. "Equilibrium information in credence goods," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 84-101.

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