Loss Aversion in Post-Sale Purchases of Consumer Products and Their Substitutes

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2015
Volume: 105
Issue: 5
Pages: 376-80

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper considers the measurement of consumer loss aversion in product markets. We introduce a test based on a "substitution effect," focusing on how the end of a sale affects sales not of the good itself, but a substitute good. Such an effect cannot be easily confounded with consumer stockpiling. Using a unique dataset from an online hardware retailer, we find evidence consistent with consumer loss aversion. Moreover, we find that less experienced consumers suffer a more prominent loss aversion bias compared to more experienced consumers.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:105:y:2015:i:5:p:376-80
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25