A method, system, and computer program product for determining an optimal database refresh rate is provided. The method includes simulating a shopping system that includes a plurality of databases, the simulating including updating the plurality of databases in accordance with a database refresh rate. The method also includes repeating the simulating for each of a number of database refresh rates and calculating error rates for availability of product determinations resulting from each of the simulations. The method further includes estimating customer satisfaction levels for the error rates and comparing the customer satisfaction levels to corresponding costs of implementing database refreshes corresponding to each of the database refresh rates.