Which of the following is an economic benefit of maintaining good relationships with customers?

• A. Decreased market demand for the product
• B. Lower prices received by sellers
• C. Increased consumer surplus due to higher willingness to pay
• D. Reduced producer surplus in the market

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of economic benefits in the context of customer relationships. Good relationships with customers typically lead to positive outcomes such as increased loyalty, repeat purchases, and willingness to pay more.
2. Step 2: Recall the definition of consumer surplus, which is the difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service and what they actually pay. A higher willingness to pay increases consumer surplus.
3. Step 3: Analyze each option: 'Decreased market demand' and 'Lower prices received by sellers' are negative outcomes, so they are unlikely to be economic benefits.
4. Step 4: Consider 'Reduced producer surplus' which means producers earn less, so this is not a benefit either.
5. Step 5: Conclude that 'Increased consumer surplus due to higher willingness to pay' aligns with the positive economic benefit of maintaining good customer relationships, as it reflects greater value perceived by consumers.