Skip to main content
Article
Partitioning or Bundling? Perceived Fairness of the Surcharge Makes a Difference
Psychology & Marketing
  • Shibin Sheng, Adelphi University
  • Yeqing Bao, University of Alabama in Huntsville
  • Yue Pan, University of Dayton
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2007
Abstract

Partitioned pricing charges a base price and a surcharge instead of an equivalent all-inclusive price. In contrast, a bundling strategy offers a bundled price instead of separate prices for products in one package. Which pricing practice is more profitable? Previous research has shown conflicting results. This research identifies the boundary conditions which circumscribe the profitability of partitioned and bundled pricing. Results of three experiments indicate that the relative significance of the surcharge to the base price influences consumers' perception of the fairness of the surcharge, which in turn influences consumer purchase intentions. Furthermore, given the same level of surcharge, consumers' perceptions of the fairness of the surcharge moderates the effect of the pricing strategies. Thus, perceived fairness of the surcharge appears to be the key in determining whether or not the partitioning strategy is more profitable than the bundling strategy.

Inclusive pages
1025–1041
Publisher
Wiley InterScience
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Citation Information
Shibin Sheng, Yeqing Bao and Yue Pan. "Partitioning or Bundling? Perceived Fairness of the Surcharge Makes a Difference" Psychology & Marketing Vol. 24 Iss. 12 (2007)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/yue_pan/9/