Downloads
![Image representing the file: WP201823.pdf](/sites/default/files/output_url_files/WP201823.pdf_0.jpg)
WP201823.pdf
PDF | 471.08 KB
This paper studies regulatory policy interventions aimed at protecting vulnerable consumers who are disengaged and thus exposed to exploitation. We model heterogeneous consumer switching costs alongside asymmetric market shares. This setting encompasses many markets in which established rms are challenged by new entrants. We identify circumstances under which such interventions can be counterproductive, both with regard to the stated consumer protection objective and the complementary aim to promote competition.
Authors
![Walter Beckert](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-05/Walter_Beckert.jpg?itok=_Sjg-kgz)
Research Associate Birkbeck, University of London
Walter is a Research Associate at the IFS, a Reader in Economics at Birkbeck, University of London and holds a position in the Academic Panel at CMA.
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Paolo Siciliani
Working Paper details
- DOI
- 10.1920/wp.ifs.2018.2318
- Publisher
- The IFS
Suggested citation
Beckert, W and Siciliani, P. (2018). Protecting vulnerable consumers in "switching markets". London: The IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/protecting-vulnerable-consumers-switching-markets (accessed: 30 June 2024).
More from IFS
Understand this issue
![Child drawing](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-04/child-drawing_0.jpg?itok=Qq8x74st)
Sure Start achieved its aims, then we threw it away
15 April 2024
![Nice houses with city in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/nice-houses-with-city-in-background_0.jpg?itok=TDx-TwSe)
Social mobility and wealth
12 December 2023
![Row of terraced houses](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-07/Row-of-terraced-houses.jpg?itok=V4XeVn72)
How important is the Bank of Mum and Dad?
15 December 2023
Policy analysis
![Shopping street](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Street-scene-.jpg?itok=R39cR6Xp)
How do the last five years measure up on levelling up?
19 June 2024
![Terrace housing](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/terrace%20housing%20feature.jpg?itok=eloSiGLE)
Making mortgage guarantees permanent will help some first-time buyers, but only if they can afford a bigger mortgage
6 June 2024
![Crowd of commuters](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-05/commuting%20crowd%20feature.jpg?itok=KNgqVlqm)
What has happened to earnings since 2019?
31 May 2024
Academic research
![Fiscal Studies - 2024 - June cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/Fiscal%20Studies%20-%202024%20-%20-%20June%20cover.jpg?itok=mQEwRc_w)
Income inequality in Ireland, 1987–2019
28 June 2024
![Fiscal Studies - 2024 - June cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/Fiscal%20Studies%20-%202024%20-%20-%20June%20cover.jpg?itok=mQEwRc_w)
Components of the evolution of income inequality in Sweden, 1990–2021
28 June 2024
![Working Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-04/WP202413-Labour-market-inequality-and-the-changing-life-cycle-profile-of-male-and-female-wages_Page_001.jpg?itok=FGFp0iFj)
Labour market inequality and the changing life cycle profile of male and female wages
15 April 2024