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Auction mechanisms and the measurement of WTP and WTA

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Listed:
  • Sungwon Cho
  • Cannon Koo
  • John List
  • Changwon Park
  • Pablo Polo
  • Jason Shogren
  • Robert Wilhelmi

Abstract

We evaluate the impact of three auction mechanisms - the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak mechanism, the second-price auction, and the random nth-price auction - in the measurement of willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) measures of value. Our results show that initial bidding in trial 1 in each auction does not contradict the endowment effect; but that, if it is the endowment effect that governs people's initial bidding behavior, it can be eliminated with repetitions of a second-price or random nth-price auction; and if the thesis is that the effect should persist across auctions and across trials is right, our results suggest that there is no fundamental endowment effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Sungwon Cho & Cannon Koo & John List & Changwon Park & Pablo Polo & Jason Shogren & Robert Wilhelmi, 2001. "Auction mechanisms and the measurement of WTP and WTA," Natural Field Experiments 00516, The Field Experiments Website.
    • Handle: RePEc:feb:natura:00516
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    References listed on IDEAS

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