Price comparison refers to the process of researching the costs of similar or identical products and services offered by different suppliers.
- Commonly done online using search and filters by criteria like brand, features, reviews
- Provides a high-level view of ranges and average pricing across vendors
- Allows evaluation of price differences, special offers, additional fees
Benefits include identifying the best value by weighing quality versus expense. Risks are overlooked nuances like warranty terms, delivery speed, or post-purchase support.
Trusted comparison sites aggregate data from merchants while indicating biases like affiliate revenue models. Third-party validation through buyer tools gives confidence.
Savvy consumers spend time price matching major purchases to negotiate strategically from an informed position. Retailers aim to display competitiveness during such checks.
Overall, comparison empowers buyers through transparency if not over-reliance on price alone without investigating total costs of ownership.