This study extends prior research by examining consumer expectations regarding the lower price of products found in online shopping stores and considers the role of overhead cost in consumer decision-making. By using a laboratory experiment method, we verified the difference in the perceived overhead cost between the two types of retailers and the relationship between perceived overhead cost and internal reference pricing. This study involved 123 subjects. The findings show that consumers perceive online retailers' overhead costs as lower than store-based retailers' overhead costs and that lower perceived overhead prices cause consumers to have lower internal reference prices. This study supplements e-commerce research, can assist retailers in understanding consumers' perceptions of overhead cost and product prices, and serves as a reference for online retailers attempting to create pricing strategies.
Purpose -This paper concentrates on the visual information within a product description block in an online auction page, which is the only place a seller can manipulate to influence bidders. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of photograph use, model use, and the physical attractiveness of the model on bidding behavior. Design/methodology/approach -A mock online auction website was built to manipulate picture use, model use, and the physical attractiveness of the model. The experiment recruited volunteers and randomly assigned each participant into one of four treatments. After experiencing the stimulus for two minutes, the researchers asked participants to evaluate their bidding intention and write down the highest price they would bid. Findings -The results show that using a photograph to introduce the product acquires a higher bidding intention and bidding amount than not using a photograph. In addition, a web page using physically attractive models in photographs acquires a higher bidding intention and bidding price than a web page using physically unattractive models in photographs. Originality/value -This study is unique in discussing the effect of the visual content of the product description block on online bidding behavior. The results of this study provide suggestions and a product information presentation strategy for online auction sellers.
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