Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/83863 
Year of Publication: 
2004
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 565
Publisher: 
University of California, Economics Department, Santa Cruz, CA
Abstract: 
This paper analyzes seller choices and outcomes in approximately 700 recent Internet auctions on eBay. The ‘Buy it Now' option that is available in these auctions allows the seller to supplement or replace the auction with a posted price offer. We use a structural model to control for the endogenous conduct of the auction (e.g., number of bids and bidders) as well as product and seller characteristics. Among other results, we find that the ‘Buy it Now' option was used more often by sellers with higher ratings (awarded by previous buyers) and sellers offering fewer units; and that posted prices were more prevalent for used items. Sellers obtained higher prices for unused and undamaged items overall, and especially when selling at the ‘Buy it Now' price.
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
1.24 MB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.