Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Economics
Reader 1
Nayana Bose
Reader 2
Roberto Pedace
Terms of Use & License Information
Abstract
The secondhand market is rapidly expanding, driven by growing consumer interest in sustainable consumption and economic value. This thesis examines consumer price sensitivity within the online resale market. Using a unique dataset of eBay clothing transactions, I employ an OLS regression model to analyze price elasticity of demand across various categories of new and used goods. I find that used goods exhibit characteristics of Veblen goods, where higher prices correlate with increased demand, suggesting that consumers perceive elevated prices as signals of rarity, quality, or exclusivity. My results highlight the nuanced dynamics of online resale markets, where consumer behavior is shaped not only by economic principles but also by perceptions of value and status. This research contributes to understanding the complex interplay between price and demand in the growing secondhand economy.
Recommended Citation
Kleemeier, Reyna, "Price Sensitivity in the Secondhand Market: An Analysis of Consumer Behavior on eBay" (2025). Scripps Senior Theses. 2475.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2475
