Authors
Uri Simonsohn, Dan Ariely
Publication date
2008/9
Journal
Management science
Volume
54
Issue
9
Pages
1624-1637
Publisher
INFORMS
Description
People often observe others' decisions before deciding themselves. Using eBay data for DVD auctions we explore the consequences of neglecting nonsalient information when making such inferences. We show that bidders herd into auctions with more existing bids, even if these are a signal of no-longer-available lower starting prices rather than of higher quality. Bidders bidding a given dollar amount are less likely to win low starting price auctions, and pay more for them when they do win. Experienced bidders are less likely to bid on low starting price auctions. Remarkably, the seller side of the market is in equilibrium, because expected revenues are nearly identical for high and low starting prices.
Total citations
200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024434101312172020241827282716231513