The effect of return policies on market outcomes is studied in a model where consumers differ in their valuations of time. Product reliability is identified with defect rates. Producers first choose reliability levels and then compete in prices. For given defect rates, allowing returns makes...

Major retailers in the USA offer Money Back Guarantees (MBGs) under which they return money to dissatisfied customers. Some of these retailers also offer Low price Guarantees (LPGs) under which they promise to refund price differences if buyers find a lower price after purchase. Some researchers...