Pay-what-you-want pricing schemes: a self-image perspective

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Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) pricing schemes are becoming increasingly popular. We develop a model incorporating self-image into the buyer’s utility function and introduce heterogeneity in consumption utility and image-sensitivity, generating different purchase decisions and optimal prices across individuals. When a good’s fixed price is lower than a threshold fair value, PWYW can lead to a lower utility. This may result in a lower purchase rate and higher average price, accounting for previously unexplained field experimental evidence. An increase in the threshold value decreases the buyer’s utility and may further lower the purchase rate, resulting in a further increase in purchase price.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance
Volume7
Pages (from-to)17-28
Number of pages12
ISSN2214-6350
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

ID: 161250681