This paper studies decentralized exchange by bilateral matching and bargain
ing when resale is possible. Decentralized exchange involves the risk that
goods and services may be allocated inefficiently; if low-valuation buyers
consume while high-valuation buyers do not, then social welfare is reduced.
If resale is possible and transaction costs are negligible, we would never
theless expect an efficient allocation to result from decentralized exchang
e. This paper suggests that this depends on the nature of the commodity; wh
ile the allocation of a durable good will be efficient, the allocation of a
"consumable" good need not.