Final answer:
Customers may become competitors and produce the items themselves depending on factors such as production costs, prices of related goods, sellers' expectations, and the number of sellers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether customers become competitors and produce the items themselves depends on various factors: The costs of production - If the costs of producing the items themselves are lower than buying them from a competitor, customers may choose to become competitors.
The prices of related goods in production - If the prices of related goods needed for production are favorable, customers may consider producing the items themselves.
Sellers' expectations - Customers may become competitors if they anticipate a shortage of the items or if they believe they can offer a better product.
The number of sellers - If there are a limited number of sellers in the market, customers may be more inclined to become competitors. By considering these factors, customers can make informed decisions on whether to enter the market and produce the items themselves.