Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
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Note: this is an economics question.
*Discuss the attached case in terms of eBay's strategic move.
![**Cheap Talk in eBay’s Best Offer Market**
In addition to auctions, eBay allows a seller to offer to sell a good for a specified price. The seller may allow a potential buyer to respond with a *best offer* of a lower price. The seller may accept the best-offer bid, decline it, or make a counteroffer. The transaction is completed when a buyer or the seller accepts the other side’s offer.
Backus et al. (forthcoming) suggested that some sellers use cheap talk by posting an initial price that is a multiple of $100. Items listed in multiples of $100 receive offers that are 8% to 12% lower and are 15% to 25% more likely to sell than are items listed at similar “precise” prices such as $109. Thus, these round numbers may provide information that helps both parties: The seller makes a quick sale, and the customer buys at a low price.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F805991fa-0820-4b40-8f5a-39474b333a32%2F39825e2b-0810-401f-b770-9ba9b9c481a6%2F59nddr9_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:**Cheap Talk in eBay’s Best Offer Market**
In addition to auctions, eBay allows a seller to offer to sell a good for a specified price. The seller may allow a potential buyer to respond with a *best offer* of a lower price. The seller may accept the best-offer bid, decline it, or make a counteroffer. The transaction is completed when a buyer or the seller accepts the other side’s offer.
Backus et al. (forthcoming) suggested that some sellers use cheap talk by posting an initial price that is a multiple of $100. Items listed in multiples of $100 receive offers that are 8% to 12% lower and are 15% to 25% more likely to sell than are items listed at similar “precise” prices such as $109. Thus, these round numbers may provide information that helps both parties: The seller makes a quick sale, and the customer buys at a low price.
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