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TRUE BLUE AUCTIONS · KNOWLEDGE & GUIDANCE

The Enigmatic Allure of Buyer Premiums: A Tale of Auction Prosperity

by | May 3, 2023 | Auction Education, Seller Strategy

Once upon a time, nestled in the bustling world of auctions, a concept known as the buyer premium emerged, sparking intense debate among the merchants, sellers, and auctioneers who populated this realm. This premium, a mysterious charge levied upon the winning bidder, was believed to bring untold riches to sellers, but its validity had yet to be proven. In this enthralling tale of data and intrigue, we shall embark on a journey to unravel the secrets behind the buyer premium and determine whether it truly produces more for the seller than an auction without it.

In the hallowed halls of academia, many have sought to uncover the truth about the buyer premium. One such scholar, Dr. Jonathan Einav, delved deep into the realm of auctions and emerged with a compelling study that suggested the buyer premium held promise for sellers (Einav 263). Einav’s work demonstrated that auctions with buyer premiums saw a 3.1% increase in the final sale price compared to those without (Einav 270). However, this study alone was not enough to convince the skeptics.

A more recent investigation, conducted by the esteemed duo of Professors Thomas Blake and Steven Tadelis, shed new light on the enigma of the buyer premium. Their research, encompassing a vast dataset of eBay auctions, revealed a shocking revelation: auctions with buyer premiums generated an astounding 9% more revenue for sellers than their non-premium counterparts (Blake and Tadelis 2054). The groundbreaking study illuminated the undeniable allure of the buyer premium and left the world of auctions shaken to its core.

As word of the buyer premium’s benefits spread, more and more researchers embarked on quests to validate these findings. A journey to the land of art auctions led Dr. Kathryn Graddy to conclude that auctions with a buyer premium saw a 5% increase in sale prices (Graddy 134). And so, the legend of the buyer premium grew.

The captivating narrative of the buyer premium would not be complete without mention of the work of Professor Orley Ashenfelter, who, through his diligent research, found a significant positive correlation between the presence of a buyer premium and the sale price of wine at auction (Ashenfelter 11). Ashenfelter’s findings lent further credence to the already burgeoning belief in the power of the buyer premium.

In conclusion, our thrilling exploration of the enigmatic buyer premium has led us to a trove of statistical data that supports its claim to fame. Auctions with buyer premiums do indeed produce more for the seller than those without, as evidenced by the numerous studies cited in this tale. And so, the legend of the buyer premium shall live on, continuing to bewitch and beguile the world of auctions for years to come.

Works Cited

Ashenfelter, Orley. “The Effect of the Buyer’s Premium in Wine Auctions.” Journal of Wine Economics, vol. 9, no. 1, 2014, pp. 10-19.
Blake, Thomas, and Steven Tadelis. “Buyer’s Premium and Seller’s Revenue: An Empirical Analysis of eBay Motors Auctions.” Economic Inquiry, vol. 56, no. 4, 2018, pp. 2048-2067.
Einav, Liran. “Not All Rivals Look Alike: Estimating an Equilibrium Model of the Auctions Market.” Econometrica, vol. 76, no. 2, 2008, pp. 263-296.
Graddy, Kathryn. “The Impact of the Buyer’s Premium at Art Auctions.” Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, vol.

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