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What is Price Discrimination?
Price discrimination is a pricing strategy where a seller charges different prices to different customers for the same product or service, based on willingness to pay rather than differences in cost.
Definition
Price discrimination is the practice of selling identical or similar goods at varying prices to different buyers or market segments.
Key Takeaways
- Allows firms to capture more consumer surplus.
- Prices vary based on customer characteristics, timing, or usage.
- Common in industries such as airlines, entertainment, and utilities.
Understanding Price Discrimination
Price discrimination occurs when a firm has market power, can segment customers, and can prevent resale between groups. By tailoring prices to different levels of demand elasticity, firms increase total revenue compared to uniform pricing.
This strategy relies on identifying differences in willingness to pay. Students, seniors, peak-time users, or early buyers may face different prices for the same underlying product. While economically efficient in some cases, it can raise fairness and regulatory concerns.
Economists distinguish price discrimination from cost-based pricing. The key difference is that price differences are driven by demand characteristics rather than production or distribution costs.
Real-World Example
Airlines commonly use price discrimination by charging different fares for the same seat depending on booking time, demand, flexibility, and customer segment. Business travelers often pay more than leisure travelers for similar flights.
Importance in Business or Economics
Price discrimination improves firm profitability and can increase overall market efficiency by allowing more consumers to participate at different price points. However, it may also attract regulatory scrutiny if it leads to exclusionary or unfair outcomes.
Types or Variations
First-Degree Price Discrimination: Charging each customer their maximum willingness to pay.
Second-Degree Price Discrimination: Prices vary by quantity, version, or usage.
Third-Degree Price Discrimination: Different prices for distinct customer groups.
Related Terms
- Price Elasticity of Demand
- Dynamic Pricing
- Consumer Surplus
Sources and Further Reading
- Investopedia — Price Discrimination
- Khan Academy — Price Discrimination
- OECD — Competition and Pricing Practices
Quick Reference
- Charges different prices for the same product.
- Based on willingness to pay, not cost.
- Requires market power and customer segmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is price discrimination legal?
It depends on jurisdiction and context. Some forms are legal, while others may violate competition or consumer protection laws.
Is price discrimination unfair to consumers?
It can be perceived as unfair, but it may also increase access by offering lower prices to more price-sensitive buyers.
How is price discrimination different from dynamic pricing?
Dynamic pricing changes prices over time, while price discrimination targets different customer groups.
