Information and reputation mechanisms in auctions of remanufactured goods

Fabrizio Casalin and Enzo Dia

International Journal of Industrial Organization, 2019, vol. 63, issue C, 185-212

Abstract: We investigate how feedback scores and alternative reputation mechanisms can mitigate asymmetric information in auctions of second-hand electronic items. In contrast to previous studies, we exploit the information available across heterogeneous goods and avoid the problems caused by different degrees of wear and tear by studying remanufactured products. We find the presence of relevant scale effects in the value of such reputation mechanisms that become complements or substitutes depending on the value of the transactions. Feedback scores are not valuable when alternative contractual devices are in place, such as refurbishment by a manufacturer-approved vendor and the availability of return policies. However, when we partition the sample according to the value of the auctions, feedback scores become effective for cheap items, whereas return policies are important for expensive goods.

Keywords: Information; Reputation; eBay auctions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D44 L1 L15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Working Paper: Information and reputation mechanisms in auctions of remanufactured goods (2019)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:indorg:v:63:y:2019:i:c:p:185-212

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2018.11.001

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