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The ownership distance effect: the impact of traces left by previous owners on the evaluation of used goods

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  • Jungkeun Kim

    (Auckland University of Technology)

Abstract

This article examines how salient traces left by previous owners on used goods influence product evaluations. Based on the concept of psychological ownership, we propose the ownership distance effect in the context of buying used goods. We argue that when there are salient traces left by previous owners on a used good, it will widen the ownership distance between the potential buyers and the product. As a consequence, buyers will tend to evaluate the product less positively. Four experimental studies were conducted, and the results support this prediction. Buyers preferred used goods with salient traces left by a previous owner less (studies 1 and 2) due to the ownership distance effect. In addition, perceived psychological ownership mediates the ownership distance effect (studies 2 and 4). However, this negative effect decreased when specific situations (e.g., free housecleaning service) lessened the ownership distance, or when people believed that a previous owner’s trace would benefit them in obtaining their consumption goal (studies 3 and 4). The analysis of actual transactions from eBay.com also confirms this effect (study 5). We conclude with a discussion of the substantive theoretical and managerial implications of this research.

Suggested Citation

  • Jungkeun Kim, 2017. "The ownership distance effect: the impact of traces left by previous owners on the evaluation of used goods," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 591-605, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:mktlet:v:28:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s11002-017-9432-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11002-017-9432-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Taiyang & Lu, Yan & Lynette Wang, Valerie & Wu, Banggang & Chen, Zhi & Song, Wei & Zhou, Liying, 2023. "Shared but unhappy? Detrimental effects of using shared products on psychological ownership and consumer happiness," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    2. Marjolaine Bezançon & Denis Guiot & Emmanuelle Le Nagard, 2019. "Le rôle de la contagion physique négative dans l'achat d'un produit d'occasion vendu en ligne," Post-Print halshs-01957512, HAL.
    3. Paul Rogers, 2021. "Rented But MINE! Application of Psychological Ownership Theory to Access-Based Consumption and the Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 719-744, September.

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